Horticultural consultant Brigitte Lyons took the group through some of the biggest problems facing rose-loving green thumbs last month - tackling overgrown roses, correcting past mistakes, coming to understand pruning techniques.

"The key is to really understand how the plant works," Mrs Lyons said.

"Roses are very individual things and require pruning to a variety of degrees, depending on the type."

Mrs Lyons said for that reason she spent the first part of the workshop focusing on theory-based teaching so people knew what they were doing before they took to the plant with misplaced gusto.

"You must understand the principles then decide what needs to be done," she said.

But there is still hope for those who have already massacred their plants this winter.

"If you mess it up in the first year, the rose will show you what you've done wrong as it grows, and it will give you more chances," Mrs Lyons said.

"But it's important to take note of what the plant is doing that you don't want it doing, and adjust your pruning techniques accordingly."

Workshop attendees said they had previously had "no idea what we're doing" and said they were grateful for the theory sheets provided to take home and study.

Mrs Lyons's pruning expertise was also shared with fruit tree owners at a workshop on July22.

•A workshop for citrus tree growers will be held on August19. For more information, or to book a place, contact Franklin House on 63447824.