If planting in winter, choose a frost-free spell when the soil is not frozen. Roses are quite deep-rooted plants so dig a deep hole roughly twice as wide as the plant's roots and mix in a generous amount of composted organic matter. A top-dressing of a general purpose fertiliser can be worked into the surrounding soil and we also recommend using Rose Rootgrow at this stage to encourage better root development. This is particularly important when planting into a bed where roses have previously been grown as Rose Rootgrow is said to combat rose sickness (aka replant disease).

Remove the plants from their pots and gently spread out the roots before placing them in the centre of the hole. Try to ensure that the 'bud union' (the point where the cultivated rose has been grafted onto the rootstock, and from where the shoots emerge) is at soil level. You can judge this quite easily by laying something flat, like a spade handle or bamboo cane, across the top of the hole. When they are at the right height, back-fill the hole, firming the soil down gently before watering the plant well.

Water generously until well established, and apply a specialist rose fertiliser (following the manufacturer's instructions) each spring. They will also benefit from a generous mulch of composted farmyard manure in spring, but make sure this is kept away from the stems.

While wearing tough gloves, prune in late winter or early spring, removing any dead, damaged or weak-looking stems completely. Floribunda roses flower best on strong new growth, so shorten the remaining stems by about one-third to one-half, cutting just above an outward-facing bud. This encourages a tidy, open shape and plenty of flowering shoots. Deadhead faded blooms regularly through the summer to promote repeat flowering and keep the plant looking tidy.

Unlike hybrid tea roses, floribundas don’t need very hard pruning or regular removal of older stems — just focus on maintaining a balanced, healthy framework and removing any congested or crossing growth as needed.