Arguably the most quintessentially English flower – the Rose. With literally hundreds of different varieties, roses are easy to grow and if you follow a few simple steps, the plants will last for years ensuring beautiful flowers every summer.
Depending on your preference you can choose roses in several different forms:
- Climbing & Rambling
- Bush roses: Hybrid Tea, Floribunda
- Patio and Miniature
- Shrub
- Ground cover
Climbing and Rambling Roses look wonderful scrambling over a fence, wall or trellis or even growing up and through another tree. The main difference between climbers and ramblers is that climbing roses will flower repeatedly throughout the season, whereas the rambling varieties have one impressive flower display, usually in June.
Bush Roses are the most popular type for growing in beds and borders, producing lots of summer blooms. There are two main types: Hybrid Tea with large flowers and Floribunda having clusters of flowers.
Patio & Miniature Roses are small bush roses which grow from 18-24 inches high (45-60cm). They are ideal for growing in tubs or small beds.
Shrub Roses there are many different types of shrub rose, some growing to over 6ft in height and the compact varieties reaching a maximum of 3ft. With a huge range of flower types and sizes, colours, scents and rose hips, they tend to grow into less formal, bushy plants.
Ground Cover Roses are gaining popularity and make an excellent option for a ground cover plant. You can also have them tumbling over low walls or cascading down the side of a tub or trough. Some are very ground hugging; others can arch up to 3ft, before spreading across the ground.
Roses are suitable to grow in almost any well drained soil and will benefit from the addition of some well rotted manure or garden compost when first planted to give them a good start. Bare-rooted roses should be planted in late autumn or late winter to early spring before the growth starts. Containerised roses – which are bare-rooted roses potted up to prevent the roots drying out and should be planted as soon as purchased. Container-grown roses are available all year round and can be planted at any time.
Planting
To plant a single rose, first mix some well rotted manure or compost into the soil then dig a hole twice the size of the roots and as deep as a spade’s blade. Add a general fertiliser and fork in. Place the rose in the hole, making sure the union (where the shoots join the roots) is at soil level. Then carefully fill in the hole with the excavated soil. Water well and mulch round the base of the plant during the growing season.
Pruning
Correct pruning will encourage vigorous growth and ensure the plants flower well. The rules for pruning vary for the different types of rose and you will need to check the specific instructions with the plant you purchase, but as a general guide: prune back in the first winter after planting and remove any dead, damaged or weak growth. Prune just above an outward facing bud with a slanting cut to drain off any rain. Feed your roses immediately after pruning and again immediately after flowering.
Roses Grow on You!
