Roses have been gracing British gardens for centuries and considering their exceptionally long, abundant flowering period, their diversity of colour, size and shape, and the wide range of heavenly scents, it’s not hard to see why.

The versatility of the rose in a garden is unrivalled. They love a sunny position in rich, well drained, moist soil, but they will tolerate a range of conditions and will look good in almost any style of garden.

You will often see roses grown in beds and borders but they can be made into hedges, trained to climb walls, grown over arches and allowed to ramble through trees. Many varieties are also ideally suited to be grown in pots and containers.

The very best thing about roses is that despite some myths, you don’t have to be a green-fingered gardening guru to grow them successfully. As long as you give them a little bit of attention and keep them well watered and fed, they will reward you all summer long with beautiful blooms.

If you are looking for a special gift to mark a birth, an anniversary, a special birthday or a wedding, what could be better than a rose. There are so many roses with specific names, colours and fragrances, you are sure to find one that means something special to the recipient. Unlike a bunch of fresh flowers, a rose will last for many years and will keep on giving, year after year.

David Austin Roses is one of the most widely recognised rose breeders in the horticultural world. During many decades, it has bred, developed and grown a stunning collection of award-winning roses featuring a wide array of colours, flower shapes and delicious fragrances. Its reputation for quality and variety is second to none and it has won numerous awards for its roses, including 26 Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medals.

If you have never grown roses in your garden before we urge you to give it a go. If you’re looking for a bit more information and advice before you get started, then why not book a place on our rose talk at Goulds Garden Centre, on Wednesday, April 19, at noon or 2.30pm.

Luke, from David Austin Roses, will be at the centre and will give you a great introduction to the world of roses. He will talk about their meticulous breeding process and provide you with plenty of advice about planting, feeding, pruning and caring for your roses. Tickets cost just £10 and include a sweet or savoury cream tea and a £5 voucher that can redeemed against the purchase of any David Austin rose.

For more information visit www.gouldsgc.co.uk

Sue Butterworth is in her 24th year at Goulds Garden Centre. She is the plant manager for this busy store and has been sourcing plants for award-winning gardens at the Chelsea Flower Show since 2018. She is an avid gardener, leading to numerous Britain in Bloom awards, including a first.