Heart set on roses? Let love grow

If you’re set on roses, why not plant your own? They’re unlikely to flower in time for Valentine’s Day, but they’ll be lovely come spring and early summer.

The bush rose grows to waist height, with abundant foliage and flowers from late spring to early autumn. Now is a great time to get roses in, as long as the ground isn’t waterlogged or frozen solid. You’ll find the plants in two forms – pre-grown in containers or bare root, where they are grown in the ground, dug up, wrapped and sold.

The latter are cheaper as they’re easier to produce. Pick a sheltered spot but don’t forget roses need sunshine.

In a bed, plant in diagonals, not straight up and down, for maximum light and space. For best results, find a spot that’s not had roses before as they drain the soil of nutrients and minerals.

Dig holes spade-deep, twice as wide as the root, with half a metre between.

Make sure the “knuckle” where the plant has been budded is above the soil. Press in with your heel, and feed them regularly as they bed in.