"Expert on writing RHS's rose guide warns against pruning roses at this time, stating it's likely an enormous blunder"
Charles Quest-Ritson, a renowned historian and writer on plants and gardens, is well-known for his books on roses and gardens. Apart from his expertise in horticulture, Quest-Ritson is also an olive oil taster with a passion for food. In the realm of rose cultivation, Quest-Ritson advocates careful pruning as an essential part of good rose care, although his preferred timing for pruning roses for optimal flowering and quality is not explicitly stated in available sources.
When it comes to pruning roses, Quest-Ritson prefers a balanced approach, focusing on maintaining a structured rosebush by cutting out dead, damaged, or diseased parts. This method encourages new growth and re-invigorates the rosebush, resulting in more flowers and earlier blooming. Pruning can also potentially improve the quality or quantity of flowers. However, it's crucial to remember that pruning roses is not compulsory.
In the broader consensus from other experts, the general advice is to avoid over-pruning and to time major pruning for late winter or early spring, just before new growth begins. This approach is particularly relevant for traditional rose pruning in temperate climates. It's essential to note that while Quest-Ritson does not specify a precise month for pruning roses for optimal flowering and quality, he does emphasise the importance of careful and thoughtful pruning as part of overall good rose care.
Pruning roses can help prevent the production of rose hips, which provide a second season of interest. If left unpruned, roses like Rosarugosa, known for its large, tomato-shaped hips, will continue to produce flowers late in August. Roses are shrubs, and letting a rose bush establish and develop a woody structure can lead to more flowers and earlier blooming.
It's interesting to note that pruning advice is a hangover from Victorian times when rose-growing was about winning prizes at shows. Today, the focus has shifted towards enjoying the beauty and resilience of roses in our gardens. Quest-Ritson's approach to rose pruning reflects this shift, emphasising the importance of balance and care over strict adherence to traditional pruning methods.
In conclusion, while Charles Quest-Ritson's preferred timing for pruning roses for optimal flowering and quality is not explicitly stated, his emphasis on careful pruning as an integral part of rose care is clear. For those interested in pruning roses, it's essential to follow the broader consensus from other experts, avoiding over-pruning and timing major pruning for late winter or early spring.
- Charles Quest-Ritson's passion for food extends beyond horticulture, as he is also an olive oil taster, and his expertise extends to fashion-and-beauty, home-and-garden, relationships, travel, and cars, subjects about which he might share insights in his writings.
- As Quest-Ritson traverses the globe, exploring gardens and gardens of roses, one might imagine his travels taking him to various fashion capitals and exotic locales, where he samples olives, admires unique home decor, pursues new relationships, and appreciates the art of pruning roses in diverse climates.
- Having established a strong structure in his own rosebush, Quest-Ritson might take pride in his car, a refined symbol of balance and care, which mirrors his approach to rose pruning. Meanwhile, he savors a perfectly prepared meal, perhaps featuring his own olive oil, as he contemplates the beauty of a blossoming rose or the journey ahead.
