Roses are one of the most iconic and rewarding plants to grow in any British garden. With their timeless beauty, rich fragrance, and endless varieties - from climbers to compact floribundas - they’re well worth a little attention.
The good news? Growing healthy, blooming roses is easier than you think.
Here’s everything you need to get started, plus a handy shopping list of recommended products.
Choosing the Right Rose for Your Garden
There are many different types of roses, each with their own charm and ideal planting spot:
Floribunda Roses – Known for their clusters of vibrant blooms and long flowering season. These are excellent for beds and borders and provide a cheerful splash of colour.
Hybrid Tea Roses – Classic and elegant, these produce large, high-centred blooms on long stems, making them a florist favourite and perfect for cutting gardens.
Climbing Roses – Ideal for growing up trellises, pergolas, or walls. They add vertical interest and often have a romantic, cottage-garden feel.
Standard Roses – Also known as rose trees, these are grafted onto a tall stem to create a lollipop shape. Perfect for pots or creating structure in formal gardens.
David Austin Roses – A premium collection that blends the charm of old-fashioned roses with modern disease resistance and repeat flowering. They’re renowned for their fragrance and beautiful, full-petalled blooms.
Choosing the Right Spot
Roses thrive in a sunny, sheltered position. Ideally, they need:
At least 6 hours of sunlight per day
Well-draining soil enriched with organic matter
Good air circulation to prevent fungal diseases
Avoid overly windy areas or planting them under large trees where they’ll compete for nutrients and light.
Planting Your Roses
Container-grown roses can be planted any time of year, as long as the ground isn’t frozen or waterlogged.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and just deep enough to place the graft union (the knobbly bit above the roots) at soil level.
Add organic matter such as compost or well-rotted manure.
Water in well and mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Apply Rootgrow Mycorrhizal Fungi to:
a. Combat Rose Replant Disease: If planting roses where others have previously grown, consider using Rootgrow Mycorrhizal Fungi only £2.99. This natural product enhances root development, improving nutrient uptake and disease resistance, and is particularly beneficial in combating rose replant disease.
b. promote a robust root system, aiding in drought tolerance and overall plant health.
Bare Essentials: What You’ll Need to Grow Roses
1. Compost: Westland Rose Planting & Potting Mix 50L
Rich in nutrients and specially formulated for roses. Only £8.99
2. Mulch: Levington’s Farmyard Manure
Perfect for locking in moisture and feeding the soil. Only £5.99 2 for £10
3. Feed: Miracle-gro Rose & Shrub
- a. Fast acting granules £6.99/750g
- b. Concentrated liquid feed £4.99/800ml or,
- c. Continuous release feed £6.99/900g – Balanced rose feed with added magnesium for strong, vibrant growth & blooms.
4. Pest & Disease Control:
- a. Rose Clear 3 in 1
Tackles black spot, aphids, and mildew. Only £5.99
- b. SB Plant Invigorator – A non-toxic option that boosts plant health and deters pests—ideal for eco-conscious gardeners. Used by UK plant growers not just gardeners! Only £11.99 for concentrate to make 25 Litres!
5. Secateurs:
Darlac Expert Bypass Pruners – High-quality pruners for deadheading and seasonal pruning.
6. Stake & Ties (for support)
Bamboo Canes or short stakes are ideal for supporting young or top-heavy roses.
Soft ties are gentle on stems, great for tying without damage.
General Rose Care Tips
Feed regularly from spring to late summer for consistent blooms.
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more flowering.
Prune in late winter or early spring—cut back to healthy, outward-facing buds.
Mulch in spring and autumn to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Watch for pests and diseases, and act early with appropriate treatments.
Final Thoughts
Whether you prefer the rich blooms of a hybrid tea, the cheerful clusters of floribundas, or the romantic beauty of a David Austin rose, there’s a rose for every garden and every gardener. With the right care - and a little help from trusted products - you’ll enjoy stunning blooms and fragrance all summer long.
Visit The Gardening Club and let us help you find your perfect rose this season!
