PLANT OF THE WEEK

ROSA ROSERAIE DE L’HAY

If blackspot and other diseases put you off roses, don’t give up – try this one out. It’s bred from Rosa rugosa, a large species of shrub rose that is very vigorous and healthy.

It’s super fragrant with large magenta blooms that keep coming all summer long and the apple green crinkly leaves never seem to succumb to any infections.

Moreover there is little pruning involved – if you have space, you just let it do its thing. You can tidy up a little bit after flowering but I like to let the ornamental hips form. It’s great mixed into a hedge and does well in coastal areas.