One-pot gardener
When choosing a young plant to pot, bare rooted roses are a better bet than container-grown ones: they are cheaper and will establish more readily. Pop a patio rose (a dwarf variety) in a pot between now and late winter and you will be regarded with scented blooms to sink your nose into next summer.
Get Growing
STEP 1
Fill your container with good-quality compost - try to incorporate some well-rotted manure, too. Make sure the pot is large enough to take the full spread of the roots.
STEP 2
Look for the bulge on the stem above the root stock and plant it 5cm below the soil surface. Mulch with compost.
STEP 3
Feed with rose fertiliser from spring onwards.
Good in Pots
Rosa 'Sweet Dream' (pictured above): lacks perfume but has masses of double apricot-shaded flowers. You can buy them from David Austin Roses for £6.99.
Rosa 'Marie Pavie': clusters of fragrant white flowers with a faint blush of pink. Available from David Austin Roses for £6.95
Rosa 'Queen Mother': succession of rounded, double, pink flowers from summer to autumn. They are available from Peter Beales Roses for £8.55.
This story appeared in November's issue of Inside Out magazine.
