At this moment in our Sussex garden there are thousands of roses bursting into flower. Perhaps the most prolific is 'Paul's Himalayan Musk' which is a stunningly lovely thug of a rose. Its triffid-like tentacles wave menacingly, threatening to ensnare all who dare to venture down the path to our front door. As fast as I cut them back they sprout once again in glorious profusion. But it is the delicate perfume that pervades every corner of the garden which is almost more memorable than the massed clusters of pale pink roses.
During the hosepipe ban of the very hot summer of 2005, we nearly lost this rose. The drought, combined with the dense network of branches created the perfect conditions for mildew. Thanks to patient pruning and the gallons of rainwater stored in the old oak water butt, we managed to save it. It is a very forgiving plant ... the more you cut it back the more it rewards you with healthy foliage and several weeks of flowers.
My favourite books on the gardening bookshelf at home are definitely the ones about roses.
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