life
GARDENING
Sally studied horticulture at Duchy College, Cornwall
(Bsc (Hons) Horticulture) before breaking into
gardening journalism.
Glorious
summer
scents
Photo: Sally Charrett
If you have a question for Sally need some advice or even a
suggestion for an article then please email:
[email protected]
Roses can put on a
showstopping display
this time of year but
with so many to choose
from, where do you
start? In the second
of a new gardening
column, Sally Charrett
shows you how, and
takes a fresh look at
the world of herbs.
With such arresting beauty
and heady scent, it’s little
wonder roses triumph as the
nation’s favourite flower time
after time. There’s more to this
plant than growing Hybrid
Teas regimentally in an island
bed. Climbers and Ramblers
can be trained over arches or
through trees for example. Old
Roses can look stunning grown
informally with annuals and
perennials and even if your
garden is the size of a postage
stamp, there will be roses to
suit.
There are many roses that
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will cope well in tricky
situations. Creamy-flowered
‘Albéric Barbier’ is a strong
rambler that will quickly cover
an unsightly north-facing
garage or wall. Purple
crimson-coloured ‘Rose de
Rêscht’, and pink-flushed
climber ‘Madame Alfred
Carrière’ do well in shade.
Tough as old boots Rosa
rugosa will tolerate coastal
locations. Low growing
roses such as the Patio and
Miniature types are useful in a
small garden as most are only
between one and two feet tall.
‘Little Flirt’, with its small,
double orange-red flowers
looks striking in a navy blue
glazed pot. Dripping with pink
blooms and up to five feet tall,
weeping standard ‘Bonica’ is a
sumptuous delight to the eye.
For an indulgent show, place
five or six around a circular
patio.
Herbs are often seen as
the perfect compliment to
roses, and with the hundreds
of different types you will
be spoilt for choice. Freshly
picked from the garden, herbs
add depth of flavour to soups,
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