February / March
Start to prune repeat-flowering Shrub roses back to the previous year's pruning height. Rake up any fallen rose leaves and remove any leaves that have over-wintered on the plants. Spray with fungicide and aphicide - these can be mixed together- as soon as the buds break. Follow this up two weeks later with a different fungicide. Correct any mineral deficiencies

April
Continue the spray programme. Watch out for dry spells with young roses and water if necessary

Late May / Early June
Prune the vegetative shoots on once-flowering Shrub roses as soon as the calyx splits. Remove non-flowering shoots (known as fishing rods) on Ramblers and once-flowering Climbers. Start dead-heading roses in flower and watch out for proliferation (green centres) on susceptible varieties, which should be pruned.

Late July / August
Prune the vegetative shoots again and tidy up any non-hipping once-flowering varieties. Stop dead-heading repeat-flowering roses. Spread well-rotted compost or manure around the roses. Keep spraying any varieties still showing disease and note these for Winter washing.

Late September / October
Transplant any roses that need to be moved. Start pruning Climbers and Ramblers leaving any varieties with hips for later in the Winter. Start pruning once-flowering shrubs as the weather permits, especially if the roses are under-planted with bulbs or early Spring flowers.

November / December
Continue pruning Shrub roses. As the hips fall off, prune both Shrubs and Ramblers. Winter-wash any roses that have been infected with fungal disease (10ml. Armrillatox to a watering can of water). Spread well rotted compost, manure or wood ash around the roses.

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