GOOD YEAR FOR THE ROSES.

It is a good year for the roses! I don’t think I have ever seen such bloomin’ marvellous displays of all types of roses; climbers, Hybrid T’s and shrub roses have all put on amazing growth, have healthy foliage and are laden with the most fantastic amounts of blossom. And the scent of course, is absolutely beautiful.

It always reminds me of being insistent on making ‘rose petal perfume’ when I was a kid, despite my mother’s best efforts to deter me. The beautifully scented petals would be harvested, (when dad wasn’t looking), steeped in water, dutifully bottled and then allowed to degenerate into stagnant, smelly water that was inevitable thrown away by the end of the summer holidays. All part of learning process – if you can’t improve on it, leave it alone!

Rambling Rector is probably one of the most eye-catching ramblers and one in a client’s garden has taken advantage of a 30ft apple tree to scramble up and then tumble through, adorning it with it’s white waterfall of flowers; it’s quite a sight – and scent. (see pic)

It is a bit of a mystery why roses are doing so well this year but apparently they were just as good last year too – I honestly can’t remember, I’ve slept since then. One theory is they appreciate a dry spring and continued lack of rain during the flowering period and another is global warming in general. Those with an inquiring mind are busy speculating just what has happened to produce this super race. But so far, the experts’ jury is out.

Roses are still the most popular flower in the whole world with fossil-dating showing they existed 35 million years ago. In 1945, a creamy pink Hybrid Tea was named Peace to celebrate the end of World War II, and has since been voted the world’s favourite rose, despite there now being around 30,000 varieties to choose from.

The Railway Line Garden Centre in Three Cocks is holding a Rose Festival until the 1st July, where you can get 10% off all roses and also get advice.

I will be going to pick up a David Austin ‘Little White Pet”, for obvious reasons! It produces large clusters of small, white pompon blooms, with a light but pleasing fragrance (so unlike Yogi, most of the time!). The vigorous, spreading growth forms a compact, rounded shrub with neat, glossy foliage.

And talking about little white pets, the Railway Line are also hosting a Pet Day tomorrow (Sunday), where you are welcome to take your dog along to socialise and choose from over £400 pet giveaways! www.oldrailwaylinegc.co.uk