A ROSE FOR EVERYONE

Discover why we all need roses in our gardens and how to ensure you get your best-ever blooms this summer, with Adam Frost's tricks of the trade

- Adam Frost

Roses are some of the most versatile plants going. It's not just the flowers I love. It's how roses mix with other plants, their wonderful scent, vibrant hips, and varying styles. And is there a better cut flower? I couldn't be without roses in my garden and over the years have experimented with them in so many ways. With such a huge variety to choose from, you can find a rose for almost any garden.

I love how one rose can drive the atmosphere of a border. When I was growing up, for my nan it was all about hybrid teas. In my first garden, I got into shrub roses, and now I love playing with species roses. If you haven't tried roses before, give them a go - it's so easy to brighten up your patio with a potted rose or bring a swathe of colour to a bare wall with a climber.

Where to grow your roses

You can find a rose to suit almost every planting site, but most roses need a sunny position. There are a few sites where roses will struggle: in windy positions, dry soil, and shade, although you can find roses that are happy on a north-facing wall. I choose a site that is sheltered as strong winds can loosen the soil around the roots, which results in the rose rocking and, at times, dying. Although roses look great interplanted with other plants, try to avoid too much competition as roses are hungry plants. For me, an ideal soil for roses is rich and on the heavy side; moist, but not prone to waterlogging. I add mycorrhizal fungi at the time of planting if I'm planting in a new garden.

Five ways to grow roses

1 OVER AN ARCH OR SWAG