Roses are undoubtedly one of the most beautiful plants in UK gardens, but they can pose a few challenges for gardeners.
One such problem is the development of suckers. These are growths that emerge from the ground near the stem but aren’t part of the main shoot.
They’re easy to spot as they’re typically longer and more slender than the original rose bush, with different thorns and leaves.
William Mitchell from Sutton Manor Nursery has advised gardeners to get rid of these parts of a rose plant “as soon as possible”.
He warned that suckers often appear in the summer months and can be “very dangerous”.
Because sucker shoots grow so robustly, they risk siphoning off nutrients and water from the main body of the plant.
This can weaken the rose and could eventually kill it if the suckers aren’t removed.
Suckers can appear on a wide variety of plants and are “especially found in the summer months on roses” and at the bases of trees. They usually pop up after the plant’s roots have been damaged.
With roses, William explained that the suckers “steal vital nutrients away from the plant”, which results in it “weakening it”, so they need to be “removed as soon as possible”.
The process of removing suckers from plants can be quite laborious. It’s crucial to remove the suckers as close as possible to their point of origin on the roots.
Most gardeners opt to use their hands to snap off unwelcome growth from their blooms, but when it comes to roses, which are notorious for their sharp thorns, slapping on a pair of thick gardening gloves is a must to save those digits. For the dirty work of moving earth, a small trowel becomes a gardener’s best friend.
The expert advised: “To ensure that the majority of basal buds are removed you should look to tear as opposed to cutting. This is done to reduce the chance of regrowth.”
Vigilance doesn’t end with the removal of the suckers as gardeners must keep a watchful eye on their beloved roses for any sign of regrowth.
Given that suckers often sprout up on plants under duress, incorporating a routine that includes regular watering, promptly deadheading wilted flowers, and seasonal pruning can support rose plants’ health and fortify them against the invasion of future suckers.
