Thornless Roses

Roses have been on the earth for millions of years but only started to grow in popularity in the 1970's. It is only thanks to the work of rose breeders that they have become one of the most popular plants for the garden.

Roses needn't be difficult to grow. Here are some simple rules:

- Avoid 'replant disease' – don't plant roses where roses have been planted before.
- Choose your roses carefully – some can be very large. Ensure that the rose will have enough space to grow or they will get out of control and cannot be pruned correctly
- Roses need at least a few hours of sunlight each day.
- Roses like good soil – add plenty of fertiliser (manure is popular) when planted. Feed again in March and again in June.
- Keep them well watered
- Spray every 2 weeks to keep aphids, black spot, rust etc at bay.
- Pruning will ensure healthy new growth each spring. The amount of pruning will depend on the rose:
- Repeat flowering bush or shrub roses will be cut back by a third
- Non repeat roses should be left or lightly pruned.
- Climbers are pruned by reducing flowering shoots to 3 or 4 buds.
- Ramblers are pruned to restrict their growth if they go where they shouldn't in which case they are pruned like climbers.

Thornless Roses

Climbers and ramblers:
Bleu Magenta
Veilchenblau
Violette
Zepherine Drouhin

Shrubs:
Crown Princess Margareta
James Galway
Goldfinch