SUMMER is the season for roses, but the time to think about planting them is the darker weeks of winter.
Shrub roses are renowned for being tough and hardy, with many flowering repeatedly from June through to the first frosts. These versatile plants generally have an open and spreading shape, and come in a range of sizes, from lofty roses for the back of borders to smaller examples gracing the front, not to mention vibrant colours, beautiful flower shapes and intoxicating fragrances.
Attract beneficial insects
Group them together for a stunning display, ensuring a 2ft (60cm) gap between each one so there is sufficient access to moisture and nutrients, or team with perennials and ornamental grasses for a more contemporary look and to attract beneficial insects that feast on aphids. Take a tip from Sarah x ‘Nachtvlinder’ for protection from fungal diseases. Other good bed fellows include nepeta, astrantia, campanula, and ox-eye daisy, along with shallow-rooted annuals like love-in-a-mist, cosmos and poppy.
