David Austin® The Poet's Wife Rose Shrub

1. Planting: Choose a location with good drainage and full sun for at least six hours a day. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just as deep. Amend the soil with organic matter to ensure it’s rich and fertile. Gently remove the plant from its pot and loosen any tightly bound roots. Place it in the hole and backfill with soil, ensuring the graft union is at soil level. Water thoroughly after planting.

2. Watering: Regular watering is crucial, especially during dry spells. The shrub prefers consistent moisture, so check the soil weekly. Aim for deep watering at the base to encourage root development, avoiding overhead watering which can promote disease. Mulching around the base can help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

3. Pruning: Prune in early spring before new growth begins, removing dead, damaged, or old stems. Aim to shape the bush for airflow without over-thinning. Approximately one-third of the plant can be trimmed back to maintain its size and encourage vigorous new growth, leading to more abundant blooms throughout the season.

4. Fertilizing: A balanced, slow-release fertilizer formulated for roses may be applied in early spring as growth begins. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers, as they can promote foliage over blooms. A compost top-dressing in mid-summer can provide additional nutrients while enhancing soil structure.