Planting roses and rose hedges

[dessiato]

We’ve had a gardener in to clear the front garden. He’s removed some old bushes which has left some gaps. I’d like to fill these with more roses. I want strongly scented ones that are, preferably, heritage varieties.

I have a problem with people chaining their bikes to the front railings, and blocking the pavement. I’m thinking of getting dog roses to plant to form a bit of a hedge along the part where people are using us as a bike park. (I don’t mind them using the side railings, I strongly object to people blocking the footpath. We have blind and mobility impaired neighbours who can’t get past because of the bikes)

You opinions, and advice please. About the roses that is.

 

[farmerbarleymow]

Plant gorse bushes by the fence - they're armed to the teeth and will put most people off. Good for bees too.

 

[dessiato]

Plant gorse bushes by the fence - they're armed to the teeth and will put most people off. Good for bees too.

The house is Rose Cottage, I don’t want to change the name.

 

[l'Otters]

Check the eventual size and spread of the varieties of roses you plant, so that hedge doesn’t get out of hand and block the footpath.

 

[Leafster]

campanula is our resident rose expert. I'm sure she can give you some great advice.

 

[clicker]

campanula is my go to for all things roses.

 

[campanula]

Now you are in Scotland, dessiato, I cannot fail to promote the wonderful 'Scotch Roses', aka burnet roses, pimpinellifolias or spinossissimas. I will look up some links for you. As a rule, these beautiful heritage roses only have one flush of bloom. Most heritage roses do, unless they have a lot of China rose influence (so not always reliably hardy). However, there is one outstanding, repeat flowering rose which would be perfect for you...and that is the beautiful Stanwell Perpetual. As a plus, these are no-spray, healthy roses...with a not inconsiderable amount of prickles. And lovely heps in autumn. And an intoxicating, spicy fragrance.

I have had a 30 year love-affair with roses so yep, a lot have passed through my hands. Along with umbellifers and salvias, roses have been an enduring craze for me so I can generally furnish you with plenty of info regarding the right rose for your circumstances, where and when to buy them, and how to prune and maintain them. And I bloody well love, love, LOVE talking about them.
Roses are much tougher than many people think...although modern roses often leave a lot to be desired in terms of fragrance and health. I will say though - there is a bit of a trade-off between fragrance and health. The most fragrant roses tend to have thinner, abundant petals and can be blackspot magnets...although as a rule, Scottish rose breeders and growers are not plagued with the many pests and diseases we have to contend with here in the south. And hey, bare-root season is almost upon us so you can spend the next 3 months looking at websites such as HelpMeFind, ready for planting sometime in November.

 

[dessiato]

Now you are in Scotland, dessiato, I cannot fail to promote the wonderful 'Scotch Roses', aka burnet roses, pimpinellifolias or spinossissimas. I will look up some links for you. As a rule, these beautiful heritage roses only have one flush of bloom. Most heritage roses do, unless they have a lot of China rose influence (so not always reliably hardy). However, there is one outstanding, repeat flowering rose which would be perfect for you...and that is the beautiful Stanwell Perpetual. As a plus, these are no-spray, healthy roses...with a not inconsiderable amount of prickles. And lovely heps in autumn.

I have had a 30 year love-affair with roses so yep, a lot have passed through my hands. Along with umbellifers and salvias, roses have been an enduring craze for me so I can generally furnish you with plenty of info regarding the right rose for your circumstances, where and when to buy them, and how to prune and maintain them. And I bloody well love, love, LOVE talking about them.
Roses are much tougher than many people think...although modern roses often leave a lot to be desired in terms of fragrance and health. I will say though - there is a bit of a trade-off between fragrance and health. The most fragrant roses tend to have thinner, abundant petals and can be blackspot magnets...although as a rule, Scottish rose breeders and growers are not plagued with the many pests and diseases we have to contend with here in the south. And hey, bare-root season is almost upon us so you can spend the next 3 months looking at websites such as HelpMeFind, ready for planting sometime in November.

Thank you. I’ll look forward to your links.

The front garden is, apparently, my project. Mrs D is not interested she says.

 

[farmerbarleymow]

Don't forget to put your used tea leaves on around the roots dessiato - my gran always did that with her rose bushes. No idea whether it makes any difference, but it didn't seem to harm them anyway.

 

[dessiato]

Don't forget to put your used tea leaves on around the roots dessiato - my gran always did that with her rose bushes. No idea whether it makes any difference, but it didn't seem to harm them anyway.

I've got coffee grounds. No tea leaves though

 

[campanula]

I had an urban holiday and forgot about your post dessiato. There is another month of bare-root season left so I suggest you hie yourself off to Trevor Whites roses, or Peter Beales and order some pimpinellifolias (Double White, Marbled Pink, Mary, Queen of Scots, Falkland, Dunwich Rose all come to mind.). These, along with rugosa roses, are the best choices for rose hedging - they never outgrow their space (unlike the native briar dogroses) and will sucker to make a desne and prickly hedge. Oh yes, check out Stanwell Perpetual for a repeat flowering burnet rose. Fragrant too, with delightful foliage and little black heps in autumn. There are a few other suiutable wildlings - PM me if you want more info.

 

[dessiato]

I put a couple in yesterday and am waiting for some Rosa rugosa which I've ordered. Between the roses I've put some mixed, scented, flowers to cover the ground.