Rose and shrub care in March will set the stage for a spectacular season.

March is one of the most important months in the gardening calendar, especially when it comes to roses and shrubs. As winter loosens its grip and daylight hours stretch out, plants begin to stir back to life. For gardeners, this is the perfect window to shape, prune, feed, and prepare—ensuring your borders burst into growth with strength and structure.

Roses and many deciduous shrubs are just entering their active growth phase. Pruning too early risks frost damage, while leaving it too late means cutting away fresh new shoots. March hits that sweet spot: the harshest cold has usually passed, but buds have not fully broken, allowing you to work confidently without compromising the plant’s energy.

Hybrid Teas & Floribundas:

·         Remove any dead, diseased, or crossing stems first.

·         Cut remaining stems down to healthy, outward-facing buds.

·         Aim for an open, vase-like shape, which encourages airflow and reduces fungal problems.

Shrub & English Roses:

·         These require a lighter hand. Shorten the top third of growth, retaining graceful structure.

·         Remove any old woody stems that no longer flower well.

Climbing Roses:

·         Tie new flexible stems horizontally to encourage more flowering shoots.

·         Remove older stems only if the plant is becoming congested.

·         Shorten side shoots to two or three buds.

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Roses respond vigorously to correct pruning. Don’t be nervous—most mistakes grow out quickly.

March is the ideal time to give roses and shrubs a nutritional boost. After pruning, apply a slow-release rose fertiliser or a balanced granular feed. Follow with a generous mulch of garden compost or well-rotted manure, keeping it a few inches away from stems to prevent rot. Mulch locks in moisture, suppresses weeds, and slowly enriches soil structure—three gifts that support steady growth throughout the season.

Different shrubs have different pruning needs, and understanding these ensures healthier plants and better displays.

Shrubs that flower on new wood (e.g., buddleia, hardy fuchsia, caryopteris):

• Prune hard now to encourage strong new growth and more abundant summer flowers.

Shrubs grown for their colourful stems (dogwood and willow):

• Cut back to low buds in March to promote fresh, vibrant stems for next winter.

Evergreens (e.g., box, pittosporum, holly):

• Hold off major pruning until late spring, but you can tidy any winter damage now.

Avoid pruning spring-flowering shrubs such as forsythia, viburnum, and flowering currant this month; doing so removes the very buds that will soon bloom. Save these for after flowering.

As you work through your borders, inspect stems for canker, die-back, or wind damage. Remove any affected sections cleanly and dispose of them.  Aphids and greenfly often reappear later in March. Early spotting allows gentle control measures—finger squishing, jetting with water, or encouraging ladybirds—to remain effective.

March rose and shrub care is truly a case of “a little now, a lot later.” With thoughtful pruning, timely feeding, and a fresh layer of mulch, you set the foundation for healthier plants, bigger blooms, and a more vibrant garden all summer long. Your efforts this month will be rewarded with colour, fragrance, and structure that lasts the whole growing season.