Gransnet forums

Gardening

Can anyone recommend a rose?

(63 Posts)
Witzend Thu 15-Jun-23 09:09:18

We have an approx. 6 foot section of bare fence, after a dense jungly mass of ivy and winter clematis had to be removed. At the moment I’ve planted hollyhocks* to help ‘dress’ it for the summer, but come the autumn I want to plant a rose to scramble up it. I’ve looked through catalogues/online, but the choice is overwhelming.
It’s a sunny bed. I want something that’s repeat flowering, and preferably scented and disease resistant. Not too fussy about the colour.
Any suggestions from those more rose-savvy than I am gratefully received!

*should add, I got some non tiddly potted ones, around 6 inches and very healthy, plus delivered very promptly, from Roots. Will def. use this co. again - they’re doing very well. I’ve been very disappointed in the past with plants ordered online from elsewhere.

Katie59 Thu 15-Jun-23 09:20:51

If you want just one rose that will cover quite a large area of fence, go to David Austin and see which climbers you like, repeat flowering will depend on deadheading and feeding. They are expensive but quality is good, like you the quality of online purchases I have bought have been disappointed.

If you do buy a pot grown rose at this time of year treat it with kid gloves, water it several times a week, feed it as needed. Bare root roses planted in autumn need very little attention, pot grown need a lot.

Germanshepherdsmum Thu 15-Jun-23 09:21:37

If I could have only one rose, it would be the Old Blush China rose. I have three and they are only bare of flowers in February and early March. Fantastic performers, a lovely shade of pink and fragrant. They are a shrub rose, not a climber, but will grow as tall as you let them - mine are currently about 5 feet tall. I have a lot of David Austin roses too, over 20, but this old variety hugely outperforms them. Widely obtainable online.

Witzend Thu 15-Jun-23 09:26:53

That sounds perfect, Germanshepherdsmum, thanks so much. Just looked it up online.

Thank you, Katie59 - I wasn’t thinking of a potted one for now, a bare root in autumn was the idea. I’m hoping the hollyhocks will provide a colourful display soon!

Whiff Thu 15-Jun-23 09:43:19

Witzend Gertrude Jekyll it's a David Austin rose either shrub or climber. It has lovely pink flowers and the fragrance is lovely. Starts to bloom in June until October/November. Also Thomas a Becket also David Austin which is red. Flowers same length of time . Unscented.

To all lovers of roses don't use Roseclear organic bug killer it comes in a white spray bottle but it leaves white spots all over your rose leaves and buds and will not wash off. All my rose leaves are green with white spots. Luckily the flowers are fine once open. I complained to them they said it's shows the product is working. I soon told them they couldn't have tested it before putting it on the market. And there research team needs to find a solution. They sent me a garden centre voucher for £18.50. I noticed on reviews after I used it other people had the same problem.

Germanshepherdsmum Thu 15-Jun-23 09:49:44

Thanks for the recommendation for Roots witzend. Just looked at their website. I will definitely be using them, hadn’t heard of them before.

Casdon Thu 15-Jun-23 09:50:18

Whiff

Witzend Gertrude Jekyll it's a David Austin rose either shrub or climber. It has lovely pink flowers and the fragrance is lovely. Starts to bloom in June until October/November. Also Thomas a Becket also David Austin which is red. Flowers same length of time . Unscented.

To all lovers of roses don't use Roseclear organic bug killer it comes in a white spray bottle but it leaves white spots all over your rose leaves and buds and will not wash off. All my rose leaves are green with white spots. Luckily the flowers are fine once open. I complained to them they said it's shows the product is working. I soon told them they couldn't have tested it before putting it on the market. And there research team needs to find a solution. They sent me a garden centre voucher for £18.50. I noticed on reviews after I used it other people had the same problem.

I’d agree with Gertrude Jekyll, it’s a beautiful deep pink, cup shape with multiple petals, and it smells gorgeous too. It flowers with me from late May until the frosts.

Freya5 Thu 15-Jun-23 09:50:36

Last year, from a small garden centre, I brought a Rosa Hot Chocolate. This year it is flowering profusely , its in semi shade and has a height of 90 cm and spread of 80. Scented flowers. It is stunning.

Jaxjacky Thu 15-Jun-23 10:00:46

I’m waiting for this in the autumn when bare root stock are in.

ayse Thu 15-Jun-23 10:07:28

Katie59

If you want just one rose that will cover quite a large area of fence, go to David Austin and see which climbers you like, repeat flowering will depend on deadheading and feeding. They are expensive but quality is good, like you the quality of online purchases I have bought have been disappointed.

If you do buy a pot grown rose at this time of year treat it with kid gloves, water it several times a week, feed it as needed. Bare root roses planted in autumn need very little attention, pot grown need a lot.

My Mum always used David Austin. I don’t know if you can still call them but they used to give advice re type of rose, matching it to your soil and your needs.

Whitewavemark2 Thu 15-Jun-23 10:13:06

One of the healthiest roses you can buy is Olivia rose Austen.

It flowers from May through to November or more if you are in a frost free area.

It is nicely balanced.

You could also try a climber, of which there are lots to choose. My absolute 100% favourite is Constance Spry which has the best fragrance of all, but only flowers once - so I couldn’t recommend it really.
Another really lovely climber is Generous Gardener.

I’ll take photos of all 3.
Bunch is Olivia
Blue sky is Generous Gardener
Pot is Constance Spry.

Gransey Thu 15-Jun-23 10:21:06

Another vote for David Austin roses, gorgeous, highly fragrant, prolific bloomers. I think my favourite and best climber is one called “The generous gardener” pale pink, old fashioned bloom that never fails. There are so many to choose from and you can contact them and they will provide free advice. Hope you find something you love.

Purpledaffodil Thu 15-Jun-23 10:33:36

Agree with all who said David Austin. I also agree with Gransey re Generous Gardener.

karmalady Thu 15-Jun-23 10:36:17

David Austin, Gertrude Jekyll, I have two on obelisks. The scent is outstanding, the rose is very pretty and there are not many thorns. It remains a nice pink in the heat

I have many roses and dug out three last weekend as I was being scratched and poked to kingdom come. Some of those with thorns have stems like very sharp bottle brushes. I ended up wearing suede arm length gauntlets for these roses

My easiest, healthiest and a very lovely rose is olivia from DA, a shrub

Another climber that I have is a David Autin called strawberry hill. I am liking that it has not many thorns and that the long stems are very flexible, bendy and easy to tie down. The flower is paler than gertrude j. GJ is also an easy rose

Whiff Thu 15-Jun-23 11:21:13

This what has happened to my rose leaves using Rose Clear organic bug spray . Even 3 storms haven't washed it off

VB000 Thu 15-Jun-23 11:27:05

My mum has this and it's doing really well.

www.davidaustinroses.com/products/eden

I've got a G Jekyll, currently covered in blooms and would recommend that as well (better for scent).

Whitewavemark2 Thu 15-Jun-23 11:27:24

Let the birds clear your bugs - they do a brilliant job - my roses are bug free without a spray in sight.

Germanshepherdsmum Thu 15-Jun-23 12:03:10

A good thornless rose is Kew Gardens by David Austin. White and a prolific flowerer.

Witzend Thu 15-Jun-23 12:07:04

Ooh,,thank you all! Decisions,,decisions….

Actually I could do with a climber for the front of the house, too - so you’ve given me lots of options. There’s an ancient one, there when we bought the house in 1977, but it never does well any more so I think def. needs to be gently PTS - if dh can dig it up, that is….

hazel93 Thu 15-Jun-23 12:21:19

Another Gertrude Jekyll fan. Wonderful scent, free flowering well into the Autumn and fairly disease resistant to boot.
Only downside being the thorns, she attacks me the moment she sees secateurs ! Yet to find gloves she cannot pierce.
Small price to pay though.

Rosie51 Thu 15-Jun-23 12:41:26

Another Gertrude Jekyll fan, I have one growing beside my front door. The scent is glorious. Many visitors to the house, from friends to delivery people, comment on how gorgeous it is.

westendgirl Thu 15-Jun-23 12:50:18

I love Shropshire Lad , large scented blooms . flowerlots of them and late in the year. Creamy/peachy.
Also David Austin.I have had mine a long time.

25Avalon Thu 15-Jun-23 14:56:54

Peter Beales roses are also very good and at the end of the season they often have sales.

If you are not buying until the Autumn you can go for a bare root rose rather than a potted one which will be cheaper. If you’re only wanting it to go 6ft high on the fence then most climbers will be unsuitable as they will go much taller so do check for a shorter climber.

If you are near a main rose grower such as David Austin, Peter Beales, Harkness, perhaps you could visit to check perfume etc.

travelnan Thu 15-Jun-23 15:12:43

Another David Austin fan. I have several but my favourite is William Morris, it has lovely big pink blooms and smells beautiful. A very prolific flower too.

3dognight Thu 15-Jun-23 15:25:33

David Austin roses tick all the boxes for me too, and I have two Gertrude Jekyll, with a little love, care, feeding and a prune in March (or not) they will richly reward you with masses of gloriously scented blooms over a long period.

Another Austin favourite, well my absolute is Lady Emma Hamilton, she performs on all fronts, foliage, bud colour, loose cup of peachy pink cream flowers. However I think this has been discontinued by Austin’s.

I’ve heard one called ‘New Dawn’ is a lovely climber. Witzendenjoy your lovely bit of freed up garden, and make sure you pick some for your home!

Also please post us roseaholics some pics when in bloom!