Roses are one of the most loved flowers in British gardens. They look gorgeous, come in hundreds of varieties, and bloom in stunning colours, but experts are urging gardeners to do one “essential” thing before the end of June to keep them blooming all summer.

The advice is to deadhead roses as often as possible in June. That means cutting off faded or dead flowers to encourage more blooms later in the season. Gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh told Saga Magazine for their list of the 10 most essential jobs to do in June: “As soon as flowers are fading, nip them off. It’s a very gentle job, the birds are singing and the garden is looking nice, and if you do this you might well get a second flush.”

He also said June is one of the most important months for garden care and added: “If your garden isn’t looking good by the middle of the month, there’s not much hope! After that it’s about watering, feeding, and deadheading.”

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) explained that deadheading helps keep plants looking tidy and stops them wasting energy on seeds. 

It also encourages stronger growth and more flowers.

The RHS says: “Removing faded or dead flowers keeps displays looking better for longer. 

“It directs energy into stronger growth and more flowers, instead of (often unwanted) seed pods.”

For hybrid tea roses, they recommend gently snapping off the faded blooms just below the head. 

For other types, gardeners should snip just above the next leaf or bud using secateurs or scissors.

Raven, a gardening contributor quoted in Saga, said: “Deadhead roses as often as you can. 

“Snip off their browning heads to a bud or leaf below to help promote the formation of axillary buds. Then more flowers will follow.”

Rambling and climbing roses also need attention. Gardeners are advised to tie them in regularly to keep them upright as they grow.

According to Paul Constantine from David Austin Roses, established roses should be watered once a week from June to September, but new roses will need water every other day. 

He warned: “If your flowers are wilting, especially in hot weather, it’s a sign they need more water.”