Monty Don warns gardeners they must prune this plant now - or cause serious damage for next year

If you've got even slightly green fingers, then you know that this time of year is a crucial one in your . Doing the necessary jobs in the autumn can set you up for success next year, allowing you to get the most out of your green space, whether that is simply an apartment balcony, a small patio garden, or an outside space on the larger side. However, neglecting the necessary work this month could leave you with a bit of a mess.

Gardening expert and TV presenter has warned that there is one plant in particular that needs some real TLC at this time of year to ensure that you get some stunning blooms next year and keep the plant as healthy as possible. The plant in question is the centrepiece of many gardens up and down the country - a climbing rose.

There is nothing quite like the iconic spread of the climbing rose coupled with the delicate petals that make up each bloom. One of the most popular plants out there, they add architectural drama to any outside space from cottage gardens to exterior walls.

However, if you don't do the proper pruning at this time of year, then you can avoid facing some serious consequences, like avoiding any winter damage and making sure you have a stunning display of climbing roses next year.

"Prune climbing roses. Climbing roses flower on shoots grown the same spring so they can be pruned hard now," the expert said - per

Climbing roses can be pruned between now and February, but doing so now can help you maintain the plant in a way that any potential for winter damage is avoided. Don advises that it's crucial to get some protective gardening gloves and eyewear to keep accidents at bay.

You should start off by cutting any old wood right down to the ground, then any crossing branches and any that are damaged - which can both be pruned hard to ground level too. Once this is done, you want to grab the main stems and arrange them horizontally before then secure them with wire to a trellis or other structure.

Then cut off any flowering shoots sides from this year leaving a few leaves in place, "The effect should be a tracery of largely horizontal growth with pruned side shoots running along their length. Finally, make sure it is all tied firmly in to avoid winter damage," the expert explains.

Spending time doing this pruning is well worth it because it can boost growth next year, and increase the overall health of your plant, if you don't make time for it, your plant won't die but "you're likely to end up with a jumbled mass of weak, twiggy stems, which can dominate at the expense of flower production. What's more, crossing stems can cause dieback and lead to disease, making your climbing rose more susceptible to fungal infections," explains.

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