- Common name: rose
- Botanical name: Rosa
- Family: Rosaceae
- Type: Shrubs and climbers
- Flowering season: Summer
- Container planting season: All year
- Bare root planting season: November to March
- Height: 60cm to 18m (2ft to 60ft)
- Aspect: Mostly full sun
- Difficulty: Easy to average
Before shopping, decide what you want from your rose. How big would you like it to grow? What sort of soil and light does your garden have? Perhaps bold colour and a repeat flowering habit are crucial; maybe scent or wildlife appeal is top of the list. An Award of Garden Merit is usually a good indicator that it's a reliably healthy rose, but maybe the character and romance of the older historic roses is more important, or perhaps the modern, natural look of the wild roses is paramount. With 265 species and over 30,000 hybrids, there is sure to be one that suits.
What is the difference between container and bare root roses?
The root system can be damaged whilst planting a container rose, especially if the rose has recently been potted up (this is common in spring). Therefore, bare root plants (which are cheaper) are arguably preferable. However, bare root roses can only be purchased and planted from November to March; the advantage of containerised plants is that they can go in the ground at any time of year, and the majority are perfectly good plants, despite what the bare root fanatics say.
How to buy a container rose
If buying mail order from a specialist supplier (such as David Austin, Peter Beales, or Trevor White), request a plant that hasn't just been potted up. If buying at a nursery, inspect the plant to check it's in good condition: the leaves shouldn't show signs of disease and the roots should not be pot-bound; if the compost surface is clagged with moss, there is risk that the rose has been in the container for a long time, so gently slide it out of its pot and if the roots are growing around and around the base in a dense, coiled mesh, put it back or ask for a discount because it's pot-bound.
Which rose to choose for a border
Opt for repeat-flowering varieties, which have the colour to blend well with a tapestry of perennials and annuals. The compact English shrub roses (such as apricot Dame Judi Dench) are excellent, and older roses that repeat flower (such as magenta 'Rose de Rescht') add character.
Which rose to choose for a south or west-facing wall
A climbing (not a rambling) rose is required for a wall or façade. For health, successive flowering, and scent, 'Étoile de Hollande' (crimson) and 'Lady Hillingdon' (gold) are two of the best choices out of the older roses. Of the contemporary roses, 'Clarence House' (primrose) has heaps of charm.
Which rose to choose for a north or east-facing wall
A few climbers perform in semi-shade. 'Madame Alfred Carrière' is one of the easiest of the historic climbers and offers vigour and scented blush-white blooms over a long period; the soft-yellow old rose 'Mermaid' is beautiful and bee-friendly, but more challenging to grow. Of the modern roses, The Generous Gardener is a good choice, producing generous shell-pink blooms.
Which rose to choose for an archway or porch
Thornless (or almost thornless) roses are essential to prevent passing arms being punctured; and, obviously, vigour ought to be modest. 'Veilchenblau' and 'Kathleen Harrop' are two great choices, although the latter can succumb to rust and black spot, if that bothers you.
Which rose to choose for a tree or pergola
Ramblers (such as 'Adélaïde d'Orléans') have the gorgeous tumbling habit that looks good through a mature tree or an informal pergola, and most ramblers don't require much pruning. Make sure you match the size of your tree with the vigour of the rose because an enthusiastic rambler could swallow a small tree.
The best roses for tough conditions
In wild areas or beds that have poor or sandy soil, opt for a resilient rose, such as a species rose (for example, Rosa moyesii), a rambler (for example, 'Paul's Himalayan Musk'), a Gallica (such as 'Tuscany Superb'), or a Rugosa (such as 'Scabrosa'). Rugosa roses are also one of the best choices for coastal gardens.
How to select a rose for scent
Shakespeare was wrong: not all roses smell sweet; some don't have any scent and the perfume of those that do varies. Old roses from the Damask and Gallica groups (such as 'Comte de Chambord' and 'Charles de Mills') have incredible fragrances, and of the modern roses bred to smell good, Gertrude Jekyll is a crowdpleaser. But, of course, going to rose gardens to sniff the flowers is the best way to decide which to buy.
How to choose a wildlife-friendly rose
Single or semi-double flowers allow bees and hoverflies to access the rose's nectar, and hips provide birds with food in autumn. Many ramblers (such as 'Francis E. Lester') offer both. Going to a rose garden to observe which roses are popular with pollinators is a good way to choose: for instance, at Mottisfont, the bees roar happily amidst the species rambler Rosa multiflora and ignore most of the surrounding garden roses.
