Roses recommended for late-summer flowering
RHS Garden Rosemoor has a superb range of roses, so who better to ask for advice on reliable late bloomers than one of its own experts, Philip Scott
Roses play an important role at Rosemoor, there are two gardens dedicated to them; they are also used extensively in the Long Borders and in the Cottage Garden.
With the nights getting cooler, the flower production on some cultivars will slow down but others seem to revel in these conditions; often the flower colour intensifies, probably due to the cooler nights, making the flowers really stand out. Here are four roses grown at Rosemoor that perform particularly well during September:
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Rosa 'Stanwell Perpetual'
This cultivar lives up to its name; its fragrant, double, blush-pink blooms are sometimes produced well into December. It’s an arching, somewhat prickly shrub, about 1.2 x 1.2m (4 x 4ft) that is very healthy and seems to positively thrive on little attention. Pruning could not be simpler: a quick going-over with hand shears and a brief tidy up with secateurs.
Rosa 'Dortmund'
Although classified as a shrub rose, it is grown here as a small climber, reaching a height of 2.5m (8ft), and often flowering right up to the first frost. It produces clusters of bright red flowers with a white eye. It also sports very decorative red hips if left partially deadheaded.
Rosa 'Felicia'
Hybrid Musk roses are reliable autumn roses. My favourite in this group has to be R. ‘Felicia’ (AGM) which has fragrant pink/salmon flowers and grows to around 1.2 x 1.2m (4 x 4ft) - a useful size that can fit into most gardens.
Rosa 'Betty Prior'
This is a floribunda rose with deep carmine, single, slightly fragrant flowers borne in clusters. This roses grows to medium height, 1-1.2m (3-4ft); it is extremely hardy and may even flower right up to Christmas.