The English garden rose is a true classic, loved for its elegance and timeless beauty. From the first hint of a bud to the breathtaking moment it unfurls into bloom, these roses captivate gardeners and flower lovers alike. But what’s truly fascinating is the journey they take from bud to full bloom.
Use no-dig gardening to protect wildlife. Learn how to create gardens safe for pets (use humane slug/snail deterrents). Avoid facing indoor foliage to outdoor gardens, to help stop birds flying into windows.
The story of English garden roses begins with a breeding genius named David Austin in the mid-20th century. Austin aimed to combine the charm of old roses with the repeat-flowering nature and wide colour range of modern varieties. The result was a stunning collection that quickly became a staple in gardens worldwide.
English garden roses are known for their diverse colours, delightful fragrances, and varied sizes. From soft pastels to vibrant tones, there’s an English rose for every taste. And their scents? Pure magic, ranging from sweet and fruity to rich and spicy.
The Life Cycle: From Bud to Bloom
It all starts with planting. Pick the right spot and ensure the soil is well-prepared. Newly planted roses need regular watering until they’re established. Young plants slowly become sturdy bushes, pushing out new growth and preparing for the future bloom fest.
Buds begin to form as foliage fills out. Warmth, sunlight, and the right amount of moisture are key. These tiny beginnings hold the promise of what’s to come. Keep an eye out—within those buds are the transformations that’ll soon be on full display.
As buds swell, anticipation builds. The early blooms might be shy, but soon, they reveal their glory. From tight buds to lavish blossoms, watching this transition is like seeing an artist at work. Each phase offers a new view, with petals gradually expanding to show their full splendour.
After the flowering display, proper care ensures continued health. Deadheading, or removing spent blooms, tidies the plant and encourages further flowering. Prune and maintain to keep your roses looking their best and to prepare them for the next bloom cycle.
Cultivation Tips for English Garden Roses
English roses thrive in rich, well-drained soil. A sunny spot with a bit of afternoon shade works wonders. They’ll need room to spread, so avoid overcrowding them with other plants.
Roses love water but not a soggy mess. Deep weekly watering works best, ensuring roots get a good soak. Fertilise regularly with a balanced rose feed to promote strong growth and abundant blooms.
These roses aren’t immune to common foes like aphids and black spot. Encouraging ladybirds to your garden is the best solution, as these spotted beauties eat aphids. Keep a sharp eye on your plants and act quickly. Natural remedies and organic sprays are often enough to keep pests and diseases at bay.
Armchair Reads for Rose Gardeners
How The Rose Got Its Thorns gives you the answer to this and other flower mysteries. Why do some plants have shiny leaves, and why are daffodils yellow? Divided into 50 chapters, each easy-to-read chapter looks at the inner workings of four favourite flowers and trees, to help both novice and experienced gardens to better understand how plants grow.
With beautiful colour illustrastions, learn how plants:
- Protect themselves from predators
- Attract pollinators using scent and colour
- Grow in low or high temperatures
- Develop relationships with the wind
- Distribute seeds to survive
- Talk with insects!
- Retain water efficiently
Dr Andrew Ormerod is a botanist with an honours degree in Agricultural Botany and a doctorate in Plant Breeding. He worked at the Eden Project for 15 years and regularly lectures and gives tours.
Where the Old Roses Grow is the story of writer and gardener Vita Sackville-West, florist Constance Spry and horticulturalist Graham Stuart Thomas, who together decided to prevent England’s heritage roses from becoming extinct, after the Second World War.
They began to collect rare old roses, while soldiers were away from their gardens. This book tells the extraordinary story of how they did this, while Hitler was advancing on their lives. It celebrates the achievements of a group of people who managed to save one of England’s favourite flowers.
Janelle McCulloch is a journalist who divides her time between England and Australia. She wrote a biography of writer Joan Lindsay, who wrote Picnic at Hanging Rock, about the mysterious disappearance of schoolgirls in Victorian times, made into a film by Peter Weir (who directed the films Witness and Green Card.
