Winter might not be the most satisfying time to start a garden, but it’s the best time to plant bare-root roses. The most popular roses sell out fast, so now’s a good time to head down to your local garden centre to ensure you get what you want. They come into garden centres over winter, where the bare roots, freshly dug from the grower’s ground, are packaged in a moist medium like sawdust and wrapped in paper, then plastic. Though these days many are supplied in containers too. If they do come bare-rooted (without the pot), plant them immediately. Choose a sunny spot and dig a hole twice the size of the root ball (or container). Add compost and slow-release fertiliser before planting.
The above rose, ‘Palmers Gold’ is a new release, sold exclusively at Palmers Garden Centres. The rose was specially commissioned to celebrate the garden centre’s 50th golden anniversary. It’s a compact floribunda with fragrant soft golden blooms, quite fitting for their anniversary.
