GARDENING: Five of the best roses for shadier areas

We all have shadier areas of the garden and you probably wouldn't think of growing roses there but here's five of the best that don't mind not getting sun all the time.
Gertrude,Epilobium, Geranium 'Brookside'. Picture by David Austin RosesGertrude,Epilobium, Geranium 'Brookside'. Picture by David Austin Roses
Gertrude,Epilobium, Geranium 'Brookside'. Picture by David Austin Roses

We all have shadier areas of the garden and you probably wouldn’t think of growing roses there but here’s five of the best that don’t mind not getting sun all the time.

1. Gertrude Jekyll (shrub rose): Twice voted the nation’s favourite rose, it has rich pink rosettes with the quintessential Old Rose fragrance. It’s very healthy and reliable, repeat flowering and has the RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Claire Austin. Picture by David Austin RosesClaire Austin. Picture by David Austin Roses
Claire Austin. Picture by David Austin Roses
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2. Claire Austin (English climbing rose): Bears large, cupped, creamy white blooms with a strong fragrance of myrrh, meadowsweet and vanilla. Vigorous and particularly healthy with elegant arching growth. Repeat flowering. I grow this rose, so can heartily recommend it.

3. Lady of Shalott (English shrub rose): One of the hardiest and most reliable growers. Striking apricot-yellow, chalice-shaped blooms. Healthy with vigorous, bushy growth. Ideal for inexperienced gardeners. Good for disease resistance, repeat flowering, RHS Award of Garden Merit.

4. Princess Alexandra of Kent (English shrub rose): Award-winning fragrance, large, deeply cupped blooms of warm, glowing pink. There is delicious fresh tea fragrance with aspects of lemon and blackcurrants. Very healthy, repeat flowering, ideal for containers.

5. The Generous Gardener (English climbing rose): Large, cup-shaped flowers of delicate appearance and palest pink colouring. Strong and delicious fragrance. Extremely healthy, good for disease resistance, repeat flowering. RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Lady of Shalott. Picture by David Austin RosesLady of Shalott. Picture by David Austin Roses
Lady of Shalott. Picture by David Austin Roses
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All of these roses were bred by David Austin Roses and are available mail order and at good garden centres from £16.50 each. Bare-root plants are available from November for winter planting, or container-grown roses can be planted all year round, visit www.davidaustinroses.co.uk

JOBS FOR THE WEEKEND

If you want to grow spring bedding for next year, wallflowers, pansies, and Bellis perennis need to be sown from now until next month in order to flower next spring.

Winter bedding plants can also be sown, including ornamental cabbages, kales and winter pansies.

Rosa 'Princess Alexandra of Kent'. Picture by David Austin RosesRosa 'Princess Alexandra of Kent'. Picture by David Austin Roses
Rosa 'Princess Alexandra of Kent'. Picture by David Austin Roses

Cut back dead bulb foliage if not done already. It is important to wait until the foliage dies down naturally.

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Pinch out the leading shoots on Chrysanthemum and Helianthus to encourage bushy plants.

Vine weevil larvae can be a serious pest of container plants and are active now. There are various biological controls available.

Thin out new shoots on trees and shrubs that were pruned in winter to stimulate growth. Remove crossing stems.

Generous Gardener. Picture by David Austin RosesGenerous Gardener. Picture by David Austin Roses
Generous Gardener. Picture by David Austin Roses

Rhododendrons can be lightly pruned after flowering. More severe pruning should wait until early spring.

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Twining climbers (such as honeysuckle and Clematis) need regular tying in and twining around their supports.

Take softwood cuttings of many deciduous shrubs, including Fuchsia, Hydrangea macrophylla, Philadelphus and Spiraea.

Ensure newly-planted trees and shrubs do not dry out. Water with rain, grey or recycled water.

Shorten newly-planted raspberry canes once new shoots are produced.

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Water blueberries, cranberries and lingonberries regularly with rainwater.

Claire Austin. Picture by David Austin RosesClaire Austin. Picture by David Austin Roses
Claire Austin. Picture by David Austin Roses

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