How To Prune Roses…

Hey everyone. Did you know that whilst we call the sharp spikes on roses “thorns”, they are actually prickles! Well this blog isn’t just full of useless facts like that, it also has some top tips on how to prune roses as well as a review of some secateurs we have been trying out recently. I’m off to make some rose perfume whilst you have a wee read…

Having a smell of some roses at Alnwick Gardens

Having a smell of some roses at Alnwick Gardens

Rose Pruning Tips

The lovely people at the RHS know lots about garden (possibly even more than me) so here are their tips on how to prune a rose:

Roses photographed by Julie Howden

Water on roses, photographed by Julie Howden

Roses photographed by Julie Howden

Roses photographed by Julie Howden

Product Review:

So, now that you are armed with the facts you need to make sure you have good secateurs. We have been trialling the Spear & Jackson Ratchet Anvil Secateurs. The manufacturers say they have a high carbon steel blade for strength and durability (which is PTFE coated for smoother cutting and rust resistance), cast aluminium alloy handles, non-slip grip, and a spring loaded metal locking catch. The recommended maximum cutting capacity is 20mm diameter. Here is our professional opinion on them from our garden maintenance team…
Clare says:

Clare

Usefulness – Main function 

The ratchet pruning shears were very useful when cutting small to medium branches or bamboo stalks and offered very good resistance when cutting through branches, absorbing the force of the cut and making the cut easier on the arms.The ratchet shears were less useful when cutting thinner branches or fleshy perennial plant stems and were too clumsy.The thin stems just got chewed up.

Design 

The shears are sturdy and strong and we didn’t encounter any problems with durability. The safety catch on the shears was a so easy to use and well designed.

Target audience 

Anyone looking for shears which are ergonomic and which take some of the hard work out of gardening.”

Neil says:

Neil

“Initially the ratchet secateurs take a bit of getting used to. Feeling slightly clumpy and not as quick to use as traditional secateurs. After using them for a few hours I got used to them, they definitely come into there own on the thicker, harder to cut, stems and branches. The user can take on branches they wouldn’t even attempt with the traditional secateurs.They definitely have their place in the gardening tool world, for someone with weaker hand/forearm strength looking to lop bigger branches. Call me a romantic but I still prefer the traditional secateurs, they seem faster and less fussy/clumpy.”

Roses photographed by Julie Howden

Roses photographed by Julie Howden

Sounds like they are worth considering if you are looking to add some new secateurs to your gardening tools.

I’ll leave the last word to Abraham Lincoln who was a very important man (but didn’t know the thorn versus prickles thing so not as clever as me!). He once said:

“We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses.”

Happy gardening!

Lulu x

Oh, and thanks to the lovely Julie Howden Photography for allowing us to share her beautiful rose photos with you. Julie does wedding, family, corporate and many other types of photography. And she’s proper good!