Roses and laburnum bloom

Garlic extract sprayed on roses make them unpalatable to pests, including the dreaded green fly.

The stunning and world-famous Laburnum arch at the Nationnal Trust gardens at Bodnant Castle, Wales

Roses don’t require much more maintenance than other shrubs: if you prune them hard in February and then again lightly as required during the summer, they will flower away freely for you. Keep an eye out for things like black spot, mildew and green fly, all of which are easily treatable. Spray at the start of the summer and again every 2-3 weeks with liquid extract of garlic either homemade or from the garden centre.