Choosing the right rose for your garden

• For classic long-stem blooms: choose Hybrid Tea (classic bush roses).
• For masses of colour and easy care: choose Floribunda (prolific bush roses).
• For cottage charm and fragrance: choose David Austin / English or Shrub Roses.
• For height, arches and pergolas: choose Climbing Roses.
• For banks, borders and low-maintenance colour: choose Groundcover Roses.
• For pots, edging and small gardens: choose Miniature Roses.

If you know the style of garden you want—or the space you need to fill—there’s a rose to suit almost every situation.

Where roses grow best

• Most roses thrive in a sunny spot with at least 6 hours of direct sun each day. They’ll tolerate a little light shade, but deep shade means fewer blooms.
• Plant in well-drained soil enriched with compost or aged manure, and mulch to keep roots cool and moisture in.

Planting your rose

• Bare-root roses (winter): soak roots before planting and water well once in the ground at planting. Avoid overwatering while establishing.
• Potted roses (anytime except extreme heat): loosen the roots and plant at the same depth as the pot. Water in.
• Keep the soil moist—not soggy—while the rose establishes. Avoid overwatering.

Watering & feeding

• Water deeply, especially in hot weather.
• Feed in early spring and again in mid-summer with a balanced rose fertiliser.
• Keep mulch topped up to reduce evaporation and improve soil health.

Pruning made simple

• A light prune in summer encourages more flowers. A harder prune in late winter/early spring removes old wood and shapes the plant.
• Climbing roses benefit from tying in long canes to encourage flowering along their length.
• See our rose pruning tips.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do roses grow well in pots?

Yes—especially miniatures, small shrub roses, Hybrid Teas and Floribundas. Use quality potting mix, a large pot, slow-release fertiliser and plenty of sun.

Are David Austin / English roses hard to grow?

Not at all. Treat them like good shrub roses: sun, water, mulch and a light prune. They’re known for fragrance and reliable repeat flowering.

What’s the difference between Hybrid Tea and Floribunda?

Hybrid Teas have large, elegant blooms usually one to a stem—great for cutting. Floribundas produce clusters of flowers for months of colour with less fuss.

When is the best time to plant roses?

Winter is ideal for bare-root roses. Potted roses can be planted most of the year, avoiding very hot days.

How much sun do roses need?

Aim for around six hours daily. More sun = better flowering and stronger plants.

In a nutshell

Choose the rose that suits your space, plant it in a sunny spot, water it as required, feed it a couple of times a year, and give it a prune now and then. With just a little care, roses will reward you with months of beautiful blooms.