There is no plant more emotive than the rose. red rose blooms are used as an expression of love and an attractive lady was once referred to as an 'English Rose'. Roses were introduced to England by plant collectors during the reign of George III and many were grown on a site at Kew by his mother.

Today the sheer versatility of this genus of plants is amazing. Available cultivars are suitable for many uses and situations including: beeding and hedging, specimens and shrubs for mixed planting, climbers for walls and pergolas, dwarf forms for pots and rock gardens and most recently ground cover roses.

Cultivation

Roses grow best in sunny, airy situations in a heavy loam that is neutral or slightly acid. Growth can be sparse on poor soils and those with a high pH, in which case substantial amounts of organic matter are needed to ensure success.

Training varies with the type and situation, but many modern ground cover and bush roses will respond to cutting back with a hedge trimmer, while climbing and shrub roses need more specialist individual attention.

Good aftercare is essential, with most cultivars requiring attention to keep pest and diseases at bay. However, providing the right growing conditions, including feeding with a high potash feed in summer, will dramatically reduce any problems.