Are Your Roses Showing New Growth Yet? Here's What to Watch For

Spring has a way of arriving quietly and then all at once. This week we've been seeing the first strong shoots pushing through and leaves beginning to unfurl — always one of the most satisfying moments in the growing calendar.

If you're a rose grower, now is the time to get out into the garden and take a close look at what's happening at soil level.

What to look for right now

Here's what healthy spring activity looks like on your roses:

• Red or green shoots emerging from the bud unions — this is new growth coming from the graft point at the base of the plant, a very good sign
• Leaf buds swelling on last year's stems — you'll see the buds fattening and starting to break open along established canes
• New canes pushing from the base — strong basal growth is a sign of a healthy, well-established plant

If you're seeing all three, your roses have come through winter in good shape.

Don't put the fleece away yet

Here's the important caveat: new growth is tender, and the UK frost season isn't over. Here in the Brecon Beacons, our last frost date is typically mid-May — later than many parts of England — so we stay alert well into spring.

A late frost can nip tender new shoots and those early buds, which is frustrating when the plant has put so much energy into pushing them. If overnight temperatures are forecast to drop below zero, it's worth draping fleece over vulnerable plants, particularly younger roses or those in exposed positions.

That said, don't panic if you can't get to it in time. Most established roses will push again — you'll just see your first flowers a week or two later than you'd hoped.

Why frost watch matters so much to us right now

For us at Usk Valley, keeping a close eye on the forecast at this time of year is particularly important. We work hard each year to get our roses looking their very best for Chelsea Flower Show in May, and a late frost at this stage can really set things back — it makes the weeks leading up to the show a touch more stressy than usual, if we're honest.

It's a reminder that growing roses at any level involves a degree of working with the weather rather than against it. All you can do is prepare well and keep the fleece handy.

A quick checklist for April rose care

• Check plants weekly for new growth and signs of pest activity (aphids arrive early)
• Feed with a balanced rose fertiliser once growth is underway — but avoid heavy nitrogen until frost risk has passed
• Keep fleece accessible for cold nights through April and into May
• Remove any remaining dead wood you missed during winter pruning

What are you seeing in your garden?

We'd love to know how your roses are coming along this spring. Are you seeing strong new growth, or has it been slow to get going? Let us know in the comments below — and if you have any questions about spring rose care, we're always happy to help.