Spring Rituals for Thriving Roses

Claire Austin roses (named after David Austin's daughter)

“the rose you gave me
is a smile i can hold
even after the petals
are gone and the stem is
nothing but
a memory.”
e.e.cummings

Dear friend,

As the days grow longer and temperatures begin to rise, it’s time to give your roses a little attention to set them up for a beautiful season ahead. Spring is the most important moment for pruning, feeding, and shaping your plants so they can thrive through summer.

Spring Pruning Basics
In coastal British Columbia, the ideal time to prune roses is late February through March, just as buds begin to swell. Start by removing any dead, damaged, or crossing branches. Then open up the center of the plant to allow for good airflow and light penetration. Don’t be afraid to cut back—most roses respond well to a strong prune and will reward you with healthier growth and more blooms.

Feeding Your Roses (Organically)
After pruning, it’s time to nourish the soil. We recommend working in a layer of compost around the base of each plant, followed by organic fertilizers such as:

Well-rotted manure (adds richness and improves soil structure)
Alfalfa meal or pellets (great for boosting growth and bloom production)
Fish-based fertilizers (quick nutrient availability)
Kelp meal (supports overall plant health and resilience)

A balanced organic rose fertilizer can also be applied in early spring and again in early summer.

Nootka Roses (Rosa nutkana)
Our beautiful native Nootka roses are incredibly resilient and well-adapted to our coastal climate. They require minimal pruning—mostly just removing old or damaged wood. These roses are a wonderful choice for naturalistic gardens, supporting pollinators and local ecosystems while offering delicate pink blooms and bright hips in the fall.

David Austin Roses
These are some of our absolute favourites for their fragrance and romantic, full blooms. David Austin roses benefit from a moderate prune—cut them back by about one-third to shape the plant while maintaining their natural, shrubby form. Regular feeding will keep them flowering generously throughout the season.

Floribunda Roses
Floribundas are reliable, repeat bloomers that add vibrant colour to the garden. In spring, prune them back a bit more firmly to encourage strong new stems and abundant clusters of flowers. These roses respond especially well to consistent feeding and deadheading.

Climbing Roses
Climbing roses require a slightly different approach. Focus on training the main canes horizontally along a trellis or support, which encourages more flowering shoots. Prune out weak or overcrowded stems, but avoid cutting back the main structural canes too much—these are the framework of your display.

Designing with Roses
Roses blend beautifully into mixed gardens and pair especially well with herbs and perennials. We love combining them with lavender, thyme, sage, and rosemary, along with companions like catmint (nepeta), salvia, yarrow, and ornamental grasses. These combinations not only look soft and abundant, but also help attract pollinators and create a more resilient garden overall.

We’re always happy to support you with spring rose care—whether it’s pruning, soil building, or ongoing maintenance. If you’d like a hand, you can book with us for a seasonal visit.

We also love helping clients reimagine small sections of their garden to make space for roses. A thoughtfully designed rose bed, integrated with herbs and pollinator-friendly plants, can become a truly special feature in your landscape.

Happy Spring

Manon

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Moonflower Gardens

Our Moonflower online plant nursery offers a curated selection of edible plants, native species, and wildlife-friendly favourites. And if there’s something special you’re searching for that isn’t listed, feel free to email me—I’m always happy to source plants for you.