Latest news with #PhilipHarkness
Wales Online
18-06-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
RHS Chelsea gardener explains exactly why your roses are dying
RHS Chelsea gardener explains exactly why your roses are dying Roses are one of the nation's favourite flowers, but sometimes they can be tricky customers A top gardener has tips to avoid this (Image: Boy_Anupong via Getty Images ) Now is the prime time for rose enthusiasts, with our cherished flowers expected to deliver a riot of colour and scent in our gardens. But gardeners may feel disheartened if they find their roses' leaves are turning yellow, the blooms appear undersized or the plants seem generally underwhelming. Philip Harkness, co-owner of Harkness Roses, launched five new varieties at the 2023 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Speaking soon after, he advocated for a proactive approach. "Prevention is easier, so make sure you have sunlight and the roses aren't in places which are too dark and overcrowded. If they are near a big hedge, they are going to be struggling for water and for light. If the plant is under stress it is more prone to become unhealthy. "Think of plants as people. They do suffer stress in hot, dry conditions and if there's competition. If you get the underlying culture and environment right for them, they should fare far better than if they are undernourished, underwatered or overwatered." He advises that a robust feeding routine – specifically, providing roses with liquid nutrition biweekly – coupled with securing sufficient air circulation around the shrub and watering them consistently in morning hours, particularly for potted roses, will enhance their vigour. However, even with meticulous care, common issues may still arise. Article continues below Common issues with roses and what to do Black spot "This airborne fungus is the most common disease. You'll get a black marking on the leaf, after which the leaf will go yellow on the outside and then it will fall off," clarified Harkness. "It usually appears just after the first flowering, because the plant's put all its energy into flowering and not enough energy into defending itself. If you gave roses a granular feed, which takes time to get into the soil, in the middle of May and June, and they finish flowering in July, the granular feed will just be getting down to the roots at the time the flowering is finishing, and just give them another boost. Use a rose fertiliser early June which will help the plant in mid-July." You can minimise the damage of black spot by encouraging the plant to make new young growth, he advises. "When you've deadheaded your first flowers, if you've got black spot, instead of deadheading a little bit, give your rose a summer prune – cutting half of the stem off – which will make it develop new shoots which are a bit lower down which will have a good resistance to black spot because the young new growth is a bit better at defending itself than the older leaves." You may also find roses which are more resistant to black spot, while a sulphur application – powder is available from garden centres – is also a good fungicide and harmless to the environment, he suggests. Rust "This is another airborne fungus which tends to come later in the season, in late summer and early autumn. On the underside of the leaves you get a little orange pustule and as it matures it turns black. The only thing you can do is take the leaves off. It's usually the lower leaves which are attacked. It's best to learn to live with it than blast it with chemicals." Mildew Regarding mildew, Harkness said that this fungus leads to leaves becoming white and dusty and tends to be problematic from August onwards due to changing weather patterns. He pointed out that there are two primary causes for mildew: either the rose is situated in a damp, moist atmosphere or where the plant's roots are too dry during hot conditions. Harkness advised on dealing with blooms affected by mildew: "It usually appears on a stem that's waiting to flower and you might as well let the flower bloom and then cut back down the stem." Greenfly As for tackling greenfly, Harkness is a proponent of preventive measures. He suggested: "With greenfly, I'm keen on prevention. You can spray with a garlic product because they don't like garlic. If you do get greenfly, spray them with a weak solution of washing up detergent, which will break down the surface tension of the water and forms a film which makes the water cling to the greenfly and drowns them." Blackspot on a rose bush (Image: Alamy/PA ) Flower damage When discussing flower damage, he warns that flowers which form under hot, drought conditions may shrivel and insect activity such as caterpillars boring into flower buds can result in deformities. Article continues below "Western flower thrip nibbles the top of the petals, which will emerge with a brown edge to them. They are two millimitres wide and two millimitres long – they are tiny and you can only see it if you turn the flower upside down and tap it into your palm and see a dozen tiny wriggly insects in your hand." Can diseases survive winter? "Yes. Give the plants a winter wash – again available in garden centres – while the plants are dormant, so you are starting with a clean slate the following year." Pruning roses People often hesitate to prune their roses severely, but pruning them hard enough results in bushier, sturdier plants, except for climbers, according to Harkness. "If you are having problems with your plants, when you prune them in the spring, cut off 30% or 40% more than you think you should."
Daily Mail
09-05-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
The Catherine Rose is revealed! RHS honour Princess of Wales' 'work to highlight healing power of nature' as they name stunning pink flower after her
A rose has been named after the Princess of Wales to celebrate her work highlighting the 'incredible healing power of nature'. 'Catherine's Rose', a stunning floribunda, has subtle coral-pink blooms, which are produced in abundance, and have a rich perfume with hints of Turkish Delight and mango. Named by the RHS (Royal Horticultural Society) and bred by Harkness Roses, funds from the sale of the flower will go to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, to help The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust establish a unique training programme for clinical teams across the country. This specialist prehabilitation and rehabilitation programme will help to ensure patients who need intensive support live well with, and beyond, cancer. The RHS also aims to raise awareness of the important role that spending time outdoors plays in bringing us joy and supporting our mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing. Clare Matterson, RHS Director General, said: 'As well as supporting the incredible work of The Royal Marsden, Catherine's Rose will raise awareness of how nature and gardening can help to heal. 'We know how important this message is as every day we see how accessing nature and being outside is vital for our health and happiness. 'Crucially too, Harkness Roses has done a wonderful job breeding this spectacular rose that is going to bring so much joy to all our nation's gardeners and keep our precious pollinators buzzing too! It's a really special rose.' Philip Harkness, Managing Director, Harkness Roses, said: 'We're delighted the RHS is naming this stunning floribunda rose for The Princess of Wales, celebrating wellness and nature. 'It is a privilege for Harkness Roses to work with The Royal Marsden where donations of this beautiful rose will help raise funds for this vital charity.' Dame Cally Palmer, Chief Executive, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said: 'As a specialist cancer centre, The Royal Marsden's mission is to ensure every patient has the care and support they need to achieve the best outcome and patient experience. 'Every rose sold will help The Royal Marsden establish a unique training programme for clinical teams across the country in prehabilitation and rehabilitation techniques which make such a difference to patient care. 'We are honoured to have Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales as Joint Patrons of our specialist cancer centre and we are very grateful to The Princess and the Royal Horticultural Society for setting up this initiative and for the benefit it will bring to cancer patients everywhere.' The roses will be available to purchase from today, Friday 9 May, via and Catherine's Rose will be available by pre-order only and roses will be delivered in Autumn 2025 as bare root plants. For every plant sold £5 will be donated to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. There will be 15,000 Catherine's Rose available in 2025. The bare root rose will be £29.99 and potted plant £34.99. Further Catherine's Roses will be available in Spring and Autumn 2026. With flowers that attract pollinators, Catherine's Rose will thrive in a mixed border, as a hedge, in a large container or in a rose bed.
