Summer is well and truly here (well kind of) in true British-style weather. However, did you know it is Rose Awareness Week from June 17-23?
So, if you’re looking to get outside in the great outdoors and make the most of your garden, then you’ll be keen to read how to keep roses alive.
We spoke to expert David Denyer, a flower Expert at Eflorist, on how to keep the plant alive and well in your home.
Denyer said: “Roses are one of the most popular flowers to have in the home, and not just during Rose Awareness Week – In fact, over 220 million roses are sold every Valentine’s Day alone!
“Keeping up with regular maintenance is key to enjoying your roses for as long as possible, and it’s important to not neglect them.
For outdoor roses
There’s nothing more beautiful than a bed of roses in your garden. “If you’re growing them outdoors, water them every three days or so – just keep checking the moisture of the soil to see if they need some extra water.
“Remember to also keep up with deadheading your roses, as this helps them to continue blooming.
“To deadhead, first remove any blooms that are wilted or brown by cutting around ¼ of an inch above the new leaf or flower bud.
“You can use your fingers to pinch these off or use some scissors for a more precise cut.
“By removing these wilted flowers, it allows for new blooms to grow, which keeps the health of your rose bush in top quality condition throughout the season.”
For indoor roses
Keeping roses indoors never seems to last long but our expert has the answer.
“If you’re keeping them in a vase indoors, be sure to change the water in your vase at least once every 2-3 days.
“It’s also important to remove any leaves lying below the waterline in your vase, as these can rot over time, and create bacteria that can kill the roses quickly.
“But besides your normal maintenance routine, there are a few different hacks you could try to prolong the lifespan of your roses in a vase.”
The sugar hack
Denyer has also shared some great tips for keeping the plant alive for as long as possible.
“A quick and easy hack to keep your roses alive involves the use of sugar – something I’m sure most people will already have at home.
“Simply add two teaspoons of sugar into your vase of water, and give it a little stir. The sugar will give the flowers all the nutrients they need to maintain their health and growth, so this simple hack really is a win.
“If you change the water in the vase, add another two teaspoons into the fresh water to keep up with the nourishment of your roses.
“This hack also works for all other flowers, so is a great hack to use if your flowers need some extra nutrition.”
The bleach hack
If you have no sugar in your home another method is to try to bleach.
The pro said: “It may seem a bit unusual, but adding ¼ teaspoon of bleach to your vase of flowers is a great way to keep your roses fresh.
“The bleach helps to kill off any bacteria that could be lurking in the water, which will keep your roses healthier for longer. This hack can even help your roses to last up to three weeks longer!”