Roses are not just for Valentine’s Day! Valentine’s Day is not the only reason February is a good month to talk about roses. The most loved, the most cherished, the most talked about and probably the most feared flower of the garden, roses mean something to anyone who has a garden.

Origin of the rose

The origin of the rose goes back thousands of years with the debate still raging. Most of the roses we see in our gardens today are Hybrid Teas, which originated from crossing the very popular Hybrid Perpetual in Victorian times. Briefly, the Hybrid Perpetual came into being with the first union between a rose in Europe and the during the early 1800’s. Up until then roses struggled to survive on our cold English soils.

The colours and varieties now available are simply amazing.  Can you resist the fragrant white petals of the ‘Seagull’ (a great scrambler!)?  Or the deep blood red blooms of the Hybrid Tea ‘Fragrant Cloud’? Contrary to popular belief roses are not difficult to grow although they do not like being disturbed. So choose your spot wisely and preferably where they will get some sun.

How to Plant

Now is the ideal time for planting if the conditions are right (that is, your soil is not frozen or water-logged).  Your soil needs to be well drained and loamy if possible, as roses will struggle in heavy clay like soils. Prepare well by digging it over and working in a good manure along with a fine dressing of super phosphate. Finally, if the conditions are unsuitable to plant right now, keep your roses in a cool dark place in their original containers and ensure you keep the soil slightly moist until our winter days become a little kinder. So remember – roses are not just for Valentine’s Day!

If you would like some help and advice please call into our Garden Centre in Titchfield where our horticultural experts will be able to help you choose a special rose.