Spring planting roses

Opinions on the right way to prune roses are as varied as they are - often - hotly disputed. But at least as far as the right time is concerned, there is a simple, quite objective rule from the Phenological Garden Calendar (which can be used to set dates for regular gardening work based on natural phenomena): Roses are pruned in the spring, when the forsythia bloom.

August and September is the best time to divide and transplant peonies (also peonies). But this should be done only when the plants in the old place are losing vitality and willingness to bloom. Basically, they are very durable plants that can stand for a long time in the same place. Bartiris, Christmas roses and daylilies can also be divided now.

In order for roses to remain healthy and vigorous and for the remontant varieties to show good post-blooming in the fall, they now need a strong top-up fertilization after the first flush of flowers in June.