Southern rose growers should have already pruned shrub roses back hard. But gardeners in the north, where it can be several degrees colder, can cut back theirs now.
Using sharp, clean secateurs, prune out dead, diseased and congested stems, and cut back healthy stems by about a quarter to above an outward-facing bud.
You can feed your roses now, because new growth will hopefully be safe from the worst of the winter frosts. If a cold snap is forecast, wrap the plant in fleece.
Feed using a slow-release granular feed, and then mulch the root area with well-rotted compost or organic matter.
Pests are getting active now. Rose aphids and other greenfly are a problem, as are scale insects and sawfly. Controls include Bayer Organic Pest Control and Resolva Bug Killer.
Roses are also susceptible to diseases. Replant disease affects new roses planted where existing ones grew, and can be avoided by finding a new growing area. Rose blackspot starts as yellow blotches on leaves, which turn purple and then black. Dispose of all fallen leaves (do not compost them), and treat with a chemical such as Scotts RoseClear Ultra.
Rose problems to tackle now
Keep an eye out for these nuisances
Get rid of rose suckers by pulling them away from the plant at their origin below ground. Suckers often come from damaged roots, so always hoe carefully around your roses.
Aphids love roses, whether they are in flower (above), or in leaf. Aphids suck sap and spread disease, so either squidge them between your fingers or use a control such as Bugclear Ultra.