Don't let your garden suffer as the cold winter months drive you inside.

"While your roses might look like bare twig arrangements at the moment, your garden needn't look boring. Liven up your rose garden by reshaping it with a focal point," says Awapuni gardening guru, Tod Palenski.

He says July and August are the best months to prune roses.

"Pruning is an important part of rose growing. It helps keep them healthy so they produce the maximum number of flowers," he says. "Pruning also helps keep the plants under control and attractive."

Tod recommends using clean, sharp secateurs to ensure clean cuts and prevent diseases.

"Don't be afraid to prune your roses even if there are still a few flowers, it's a small sacrifice to make for great blooms in spring."

There are lots of techniques for pruning roses, so Tod recommends a visit to the local library or a coffee with a knowledgeable neighbour.

The down side to pruning is that it leaves the garden looking a little bare. Tod suggests making a feature of the rose garden by adding a focal point.

"A big pot placed among your rose bushes can create a structural look. It will also add some much needed colour to a winter garden.

Tod suggests planting annuals to give a romatic look, in a big pot that is at least 500mm wide.

To add some height to your potted focal point, Tod recommends building a bamboo shaped wigwam and plant some sweet peas in your pot.

"As the sweat peas grow they will climb up the bamboo adding height. You can then underplant the sweet peas with pansies, lobelias or polyanthus."

The easiest way to plant annuals is by seedlings. Awapuni's Pop'n'Grow range (available in most garden stores and supermarkets, as well as online) includes pansies, lobelia and polyanthus.

"The individual root systems of Pop'n'Grow seedlings allow the plants to be easily separated and gives them a greater chance of establishing.

"For a wide range annuals, like sweet peas, in a variety of colours, look out for Awapuni's traditional value range as well. They're an inexpensive way to add interest."

Once your pot is planted the next questions is where to put it for maximum impact in your rose garden.

"Place your pot in the middle of your rose garden or at the end. You will find that your roses will create a pattern around the pot. Like arranging, furniture, it may take several placements before your get it in the right spot," says Tod.

For something extra special, Tod suggests running paving stones up to the pot to highlight the focal point.

"This will take the focus away from the pruned roses and the potted plants should flower for at least a couple of months, leaving plenty of time for your roses to blossom."

The best thing about using pots is that if you feel like a change or your flowers go out of season, it is easy and relatively inexpensive to plant different flowers.

"Don't forget that pots can also be easily moved. So, if you want to leave your rose garden on its own while flowering, your pot can happily be moved to a nice sunny spot somewhere else in your garden."

For added interest in winter gardens, look out for sun dials, statues and bird baths.

"Whether you're into classical Greek statues, garden gnomes or gargoyles, the large range of ornaments available at your local plant store means you can add interest to your roses all year round."