Roses and Rose Nurseries

Rose plants :: Growing Roses in the UK

Roses (Rosaceae)
Roses are a favourite garden plant not only in the UK but around the world. Originaly from China the first cultivated roses were first introduced to Europe in the late 18th century. But even before this time roses had their place in Europe, the War of the Roses between York (the white rose) and Lancaster (the red rose), the rose collection of Josephine at Chateau de Malmaison and the use of roses in Roman celebrations, yes roses have a long history. Some of the nurseries listed below such as Gandys Roses have been growing roses for nearly 100 years.

ROSE TYPES
Modern Roses are generally classified as:

Hybrid Tea Roses
Long pointy buds on long stems. Great cut flowers, sometimes lacking in perfume and a little disease prone.

Floribunda Roses
A more compact growth, shorter stems and better disease resistance. Cross between a polyantha and a hybrid tea.

Miniature Roses
Small bushes and small flowers (logical really). Miniaure roses are descendants of the dwarf China Rose 'Rouletii'.

Grandiflora Roses
A cross between hybrid tea and floribunda. Flowers in clusters rather than singles, but still on a long stem. Grandiflora tend to be taller growing types.

Heirloom Roses or Old Garden Roses
Usually very fragrant, old european type roses that do well in a cool climate. They include: Damask, Gallica, Albas, Bourbons and Portland.

Polyantha Roses
Low growing, small flowers, but a repeat blooming type.

Rambling Roses
Just what the name says, it will ramble all over the neigbouring plants, like a climbing rose but not as upright. Lots of flowers but not a repaeat blooming type.

Rugosa Roses
A sturdy shrub type, often used for ground cover or hedging.

English Roses (David Austin Roses)
A Floribunda cross designed to provide the best of everything, fragrant, repeat flowering, and hardy.

Climbing Roses
Long canes that can be trained to cover a wall or trellis. Repeat blooming.

Where to grow Roses
Roses need light and sun to perform best and remain disease free. Good air circulation, a soil rich in humus, moist but well drained. Mulch around roses to retain moisture, and water well when establishing, but remember, once established roses and reasonably drought tolerant.