The birth flower for June. An icon of love and romance. The UK's most popular garden plant. The emblem of England. The symbols – red and white respectively – of both sides in the dynastic civil wars that rocked fifteenth century England. The rose perhaps stirs up more emotions than any other flower.
There are also some myths about roses, and the most unfortunate is that they are difficult to grow. That was perhaps true many years ago, but nowadays there is a rose for every kind of garden, and every kind of gardener.
How do you decide what kind of rose is best for you? And is it better to buy roses online, or to buy them in person at a garden centre?
The first question to ask yourself is what type of rose you want. For example, bush roses are best for planting as main features in beds and borders, whereas shrub roses are more informal, and great for mixing in with other plants. There are also climbing roses and patio roses that grow well in tubs.
The second question is size. A climber can grow over 15 feet, whereas a patio rose is two feet high or shorter. Finally, consider aesthetic qualities, like colour and scent.
One of the main benefits of buying roses online is that you are likely to have a much wider choice, and so won't have to compromise on type, size, colour or scent. If you want to take advantage of that range of choice you are likely to need to buy bare root roses rather than roses already planted in a container. Bare root roses are also more economical, although the down side is that they are only available from November to April.
If you choose to go to a garden centre in person, this of course allows you to see the plants you are buying. You may also be able to take advantage of expert advice, though online vendors often make advice available too, by email or telephone.
Some buyers are concerned that buying roses online might result in them getting damaged in delivery. In fact, reputable vendors use packaging and delivery services that allow the roses to arrive in optimum condition. Transporting them yourself can sometimes be more risky.
But however you choose to buy, planting a rose is planting a piece of history. And as even more varieties come on the market, the plant's future is looking equally rosy.