David Austin Roses Not Reblooming / Peonies Not Flowering

(Question)

Good Day,
After pruning my first set of flowers in June/July I found that that new growth became blind shoots. No buds
Please help.
Also i have had peonies in my garden for the last three years. they get the morning sun. Lots of foliage, but no flowers. Why?
Bruna

(Answer)

Thank you for your questions. If the roses and peonies are growing near each other the answer could be the same for both. There are several causes for rose ‘blind spots’- or a stem that keeps growing without ever forming a bud. Since yours have already bloomed this season we know that frost burn off in the buds is not one of them.

Roses need adequate sunlight and nutrients to rebloom. They love sun, at least 4 hours of  fairly direct sunlight per day, but prefer protection from prolonged exposure to hot afternoon sun.

To give your roses the best chance of reblooming it is recommended that you fertilize them twice a season with a granular rose fertilizer, especially formulated to optimize the plants health and encourage flowers. Regular fertilizers can contain high nitrogen levels which stimulate leaf and stem growth and discourage reblooming. The first feed should be in the spring as the leaves are opening. The second dose of rose fertilizer granules should be after the first bloom in the summer. Follow the manufacturers instructions on the label for best results. Mulching your roses will also provide nutrients as the mulch breaks down and conditions your soil.

Overcrowding of rose plants can add competition for nutrients. Your roses should be spaced apart according to their size. The space between plants should be roughly equal to their width. For example,  if your plants are 2 feet wide, the space between them should be at least two feet. This places the trunks four feet apart, giving their roots space to grow and absorb nutrients without affecting the surrounding plants.

Your peonies also love sunlight and dislike high nitrogen fertilizers. The plants around your peonies may have grown larger over the last few years, slowly reducing the amount of light getting to your peony plants. Peonies need 6-8 hours of sunlight for optimal blooming. Move them to a sunnier location, or prune back the plants that are blocking their light.

You can feed your peonies at the same time as your roses, twice per season, with the same granular rose fertilizer.