August

This month is often very hot, and watering must go on regularly, or the rose trees will suffer.  Those who have not finished their budding can continue it this month with every likelihood of the buds taking.  If roses on their own roots are desired, this is the time to begin taking cuttings.

If the right sorts have been chosen there should be nearly as many roses to cut now and for the next five or six weeks as there were in June.  

September

This is a delightful time for the rose garden, though we cannot help beginning to feel that it cannot last.  All we have to do is to cut off any suckers which appear, and all blooms which have had their day.  If the trees have been kept clear of insects, it is not very likely they will be attacked by them now, nevertheless a look out must be kept, and the proper remedies applied if necessary.

Go on taking cuttings during this and next month, but be sure the shoots are well ripened.  If the rose trees are surrounded by other plants, see that these are not allowed to become too rank, and thus injure the rose trees, it must always be remembered that they are secondary to the queen of flowers.

October

If the season is not too warm, planting may commence in the third week of this month.  

November

This is really the best month of all for planting.  The earth has still some warmth in it, and if properly put in it is wonderful how soon the roots take hold of the soil.  Unsatisfactory roses can also be transplanted now, often to their great advantage.

There are so many reasons why a certain rose tree has not done well, and it requires experience to find out just the right treatment.  As an ardent horticulturist once said, “I always know that if a plant has not succeeded, it is my fault, not the plant, and the only plan is to persevere until you find out the best way of growing it.”

Protect newly planted trees with a mulch, if not of manure, of leaves.  The tops can be protected with bracken.  Look over the labels before winter sets in, and replace any that may have been lost.

December

The last month in our Rose Calendar is December.  Often a mild month, and when this is so planting can go on, but, as the copy books tell us, “delays are dangerous,” and it is advisable to lose no time about it.  Fasten up any long shoots which may be dangling from wall or trellis, and pile up your composts into heaps that they may be well sweetened by the frost.