September jobs?
Late summer is a very special time in the rose garden. The light grows softer, the days shorter, yet the garden still brims with life. September is a month to enjoy, to observe, and at the same time to plan ahead. Here are the key tasks for this time of year.
1. Enjoy the repeat bloom and hips
Many modern roses are repeat-flowering: they give another flush of blooms in September. Their colours often look more intense against the backdrop of late-summer grasses and perennials. Old or botanical roses usually flower only once, but now surprise us with beautiful hips.
These rose hips are more than just decoration:
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They bring structure and colour to the autumn garden.
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They provide food for birds in winter.
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They invite us to be creative in the kitchen (jam, tea, chutney).
Want to discover more? Join our Rose Hip Day. We’ll show you how to enjoy hips both in the garden and in the kitchen. More info on the Activiteities page.
2. Stop fertilising
Until mid-August, it makes sense to feed your roses to encourage growth and bloom. But in September, it’s time to stop. Why?
Tender shoots formed too late in the season are too young and vulnerable to survive the winter.
By halting fertilisation, the plant shifts its energy to ripening wood and strengthening roots.
This makes the rose sturdier and better prepared for frost and harsh winter weather.
👉 In practice: from September onwards, stop fertilising your roses.
Young shoot that needs to harden
3. Care and shaping
Maintenance is also key now. A few targeted actions will strengthen and beautify your roses for winter:
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Deadheading for repeat-flowering roses: remove faded blooms from varieties that don’t produce hips, to encourage one last flush before winter.
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Tie in new shoots of climbers and ramblers: the long canes formed this season are vital for next year’s bloom. Train and secure them in place so they mature safely.
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Keep shape in check: give vigorous roses a light trim to maintain a compact and manageable size until spring.
'4. Evaluate your garden
September shows the garden in two ways: a final blaze of colour, and spots that look bare or dull. The perfect time to ask yourself:
Where do I miss colour in late summer?
Which areas could use more structure or height?
Would a fragrant rose add a new dimension here?
Roses are true all-rounders:
Shrub roses (especially the Moschatas) fill borders and flower for a long time.
Climbing roses add height and atmosphere against a wall or pergola.
Roses in pots instantly bring life to a terrace or balcony.
👉 Make a list now, so you can plant with purpose later this autumn.
5. Reserving roses: how and why?
Autumn marks the start of planting season. Bare-root roses are lifted as soon as the plants go dormant. That’s the ideal moment to plant:
Roots still find warmth in the soil and often grow before winter.
In spring, the rose gets off to a flying start.
Bare root is more economical and easier to transport.
By reserving now:
You’re sure to get your favourite varieties before they sell out.
We can prepare your order with care.
You spread the work: choosing now, planting in November.
👉 Reservations can be made via our webshop or directly at the nursery.
Once lifted, they’ll soon be on their way Conclusion
September is a month of harvest and preparation: you see the last flowers, admire the first hips, and already dream of the coming season. Take time to enjoy, but also to plan ahead.
September is a month of harvest and preparation: you see the last flowers, admire the first hips, and already dream of the coming season. Take time to enjoy, but also to plan ahead.