The formal rose garden

An old clay tennis court was previously located on the spot where the formal rose garden has been laid out. The tennis court was ripped out using a tractor and then lots of compost was incorporated.

“We thought it was the ideal place for the rose garden because roses love clay soil,” says Barrie. The rose garden is divided into four quadrants linked with grass walkways. A large fountain has been placed in the centre as a focal point. “The size of a focal point must match the space in which it stands. Scale and proportion are very important when choosing a focal point.”

Each quadrant, framed by neatly trimmed hedges of boxwood (Buxus ‘Faulkner’), has been divided into three using pavers. Red roses have been planted in the third section of each quadrant nearest to the fountain. In the middle third, the palette has been softened with roses in shades of pink, while the outer third contains yellow and apricot-coloured roses.

All the quadrants have floribunda roses on the outside and hybrid teas in the middle for height. Within each quadrant, there are also clusters of spiderwort with their abundant blue flowers and a carpet of sweet alyssum (Lobularia maritima).

Barrie’s roses flower so prolifically because she gives them pure mountain water twice a week, covers the soil with a mulch of old lucerne and follows a regular spraying programme.

When she plants a new rose, she adds an organic fertiliser, Mycoroot, which feeds the soil and improves root function. She also feeds the rose bushes every six weeks with fertiliser and adds homemade compost twice a season.

“I can’t name all my roses as I have had to replace so many through the years and sadly have not kept the labels! But I have my favourites; ‘Roberto Capucci’, ‘Molineux’, French Panarosa varieties and ‘The Prince’, a beautiful, fragrant David Austin rose.”