Transform your garden into a summer haven using this clever hack that doesn't cost a penny
Garden experts are warning Brits to act fast this spring — or risk seeing their prized roses completely overrun by a hidden garden menace.
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Roses can die with a bit of TLC in Spring
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
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Don't let the suckers soil your romantic stroll with this FREE hack
Credit: Getty Images - Getty
These sneaky shoots may look harmless, but don't be fooled — they're imposters growing from the rootstock of grafted roses, not the plant you actually want.
Left alone, they can wreck your roses by stealing nutrients and taking over the whole bush.
Kimberley, a Master Gardener with over 30 years of experience and founder of The Rose Geek YouTube channel, has issued a no-nonsense warning to flower fans.
She said: 'You can certainly just cut it off to see if that will get rid of the sucker.
'But in the reading that I have been doing, it tends to be more violent — you need to rip it off.'
So how do you spot one of these leafy freeloaders?
Kimberley explains: 'You're going to be looking for that colour change, that's a telltale sign.
"You're also going to look for a growth that's coming out of the cane, and very strong, vigorous growth which all of a sudden, out of nowhere, is shooting up to the sky.'
And if that weren't enough: 'If it flowers, the blooms will look different from the rest of the rose bush.'
Most read in Fabulous
The fix?
It's not pretty — but it works.
Gardeners are being told to dig around the base of the plant, track the sucker to where it joins the root, and tear it off at an angle.
'I might clean up this cut here where I have snapped it off... I will probably use some antiseptic on it,' Kimberley added during a hands-on video demo.
And once the sucker's out, don't forget to replace the soil, apply fertiliser, and give your rose a good drink. Without proper care, she warns,
'If roses are not well looked after, they might not survive the rest of spring.'
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To stop the suckers striking again, regular pruning is a must, but the biggest tip? Stay vigilant.
She added: 'The most important gardening job is to keep an eye on roses regularly.
"As suckers are more likely to pop up during the flower growing season in spring.'
So there you have it — if you want to keep your roses blooming and beautiful, don't be shy: get down there and rip those suckers out!
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