3 Tips for Late Summer Rose Care Set your roses up for a strong finish with a few well-timed tasks this month.Set the Stage Now for Spectacular Fall Roses
By Jackson & Perkins
The heat of summer can take a toll on roses—blooms get smaller, growth slows, and leaves may begin to drop. But don’t let the midsummer slowdown fool you. August is actually the perfect time to prep your roses for a truly dazzling fall display.
Timing Is Everything: August Rose Care Essentials
In many parts of the country, rose season doesn't end in summer. September through November, and sometimes even into December, can bring vibrant color back to your garden. Roses love the cooler temperatures and shorter days of fall. By giving them the right care now, you’ll be rewarded with full, fragrant blooms just in time for harvest gatherings and holiday centerpieces.
Start with Strategic Pruning
Begin cutting back your roses in August to encourage fresh fall growth. Aim to prune about one-third to one-half of the plant’s height, removing any dead or weak canes. Keep the strong, healthy ones. This jumpstarts a new bloom cycle and helps shape your plants before they begin to go dormant.
Pro tip for rose exhibitors: If you're prepping for a rose show or county fair, time your pruning according to the variety's bloom cycle:
Hybrid Teas / Floribundas: 42–54 days
Multi-petal Floribundas (European): 54–60 days
Miniatures: 35–42 days
Single Petal Floribundas: ~35 days
Staggering your pruning schedule also helps your roses bloom in waves—what rosarians call “cropping”—instead of all at once.
Beat the Heat with Smart Watering
When temperatures soar, roses go into a kind of survival mode—slowing growth and even shedding leaves to conserve water. That’s normal. What matters most is consistent, deep watering. Follow this basic guide:
90+°F: Water daily
80s: Every 2 days
70s: Every 3 days
60s: Every 4 days
50s: Every 5 days
Water early in the day to reduce fungal risk and give foliage time to dry before nightfall. If you travel or forget to water, consider tools like the Greenwell Water Saver—a great solution for both new and established rose gardens.
Guard Against Fungal Diseases
Cooler nights can bring black spot and mildew. A simple weekly spray of 1 part milk to 2 parts water helps prevent black spot naturally—thanks to a compound in milk called lactoferrin. It’s a surprisingly effective alternative to synthetic fungicides, and it’s safe for your garden.
Bonus: This solution may even deter deer, according to the West Virginia Botanical Garden.
Late Summer Rose Garden Checklist:
Remove all fallen leaves and debris.
Check under leaves for spider mites (they look like salt and pepper). A sharp spray of water usually does the trick.
Feed with a slow-release fertilizer like Jackson & Perkins Ultimate Rose Food.
Refresh mulch to conserve moisture and reduce heat stress.
Add Good Dirt Soil Conditioner around each plant to support root health.
Try composting veggie scraps into organic plant food.
Keep an eye on containers and baskets—they dry out faster than garden beds.
Look into local rose shows or State Fair exhibits—it’s a great way to connect with your rose-growing community.
Final Thought: Nature Demands Balance
Don’t panic if your roses look a little rough mid-summer. Dropping leaves is often a survival tactic, not a sign of failure. Just remember: roses feed through their leaves, so leave some foliage intact when pruning for fall. With the right care, your roses will reward you with a late-season flourish—and head into winter healthier, stronger, and ready for spring.
All articles are copyrighted and remain the property of the author.
Even the most attentive plant parents can find themselves with a houseplant dropping leaves and wondering what went wrong. With a few thoughtful tweaks, you can nurse them back to good health. Click here to read an interesting, helpful article.
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