Roses will bloom brighter and for longer if crucial task is carried out in May

The UK’s gardeners will be working hard this month to give their roses the best chance to bloom well, and experts say doing one crucial task will ensure that they do so brighter and longer. Experts at English Roses have advised using liquid nourishment every two weeks – specifically a high potash feed. The site reads: “Roses are hungry plants as they come into the summer months, so this will keep them in excellent condition.”

Moreover, it is crucial to water well. Generally, new roses – those aged three months or less – should be watered twice a week, those in the know suggest. On the other hand, established plants – those aged four months or more – should be watered every other week. Finally, potted and containerised roses should be given water every other day.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) advises that you should direct the flow of the liquid onto the soil around the base of the plant, thereby avoiding the foliage and flowers. This also deters fungal diseases and avoids using too much water.

Those with green fingers would also do well to check their flowers for pests and diseases, which will become more common as the weather gets warmer, English Roses warns.

As well as these methods of ensuring good growth, it is also a good time to mulch – applying a layer of organic material such as compost, shredded leaves, or wood chips to the soil surface around the plants.

In addition, it is important to keep the area around the roses free of weeds

The RHS advises that roses produce some roots near the soil surface, so gardeners should avoid damaging these by hand-weeding rather than using a hoe.

Experts add: “Just take care to stay clear of the thorns!”

Finally, to encourage more blooms, it helps to cut off fading flowers about once a week.

This known as deadheading, and, if this isn’t done, many roses will form seed pods (hips) and give up making more flowers, the RHS says.

You should stop deadheading roses that produce “particularly decorative” in mid-summer in order to give them time to form.

These are a great source of winter food for birds like thrushes and blackbirds.