Alan Titchmarsh has named the one flower guaranteed to deliver plenty of blooms and vibrant colour to gardens throughout the summer months. The renowned gardening expert has shared numerous tips and recommendations for choosing the perfect plants.
When it comes to garden borders, Alan said that shrub roses are “the most popular type” of roses. There’s good reason behind their appeal, as Alan explained: “Shrub roses grow much larger than the patio rose.” These flowers have been captivating gardeners for generations.
Alan noted that numerous shrub roses trace their origins back to the 16th and 19th centuries.
Yet modern shrub roses possess a “distinct advantage” over their historical counterparts. Alan said: “The old shrub roses have one season of flowering, generally from June edging into July, but that’s it.
“The modern shrub roses, and those that are called English shrub roses, will start flowering in late May and early June, where they’ll have a big flush, but they will spotter on right the way through the year.”
During his Gardening with Alan Titchmarsh video, the expert showed a Ballerina shrub rose, which he described as “really popular” and “elegant”.
However, another shrub rose holds a special place in his heart. Alan revealed: “I love shrub roses and there is one in particular that I adore. It was raised in France in 1868, it’s called Jacques Cartier, and its perfume is fab. It smells like a very expensive rose talcum powder.”
In his TikTok video caption, Alan wrote: “Shrub roses are the most popular choice for mixed borders, growing much larger than patio roses and bringing months of colour to the garden.
“While many historic varieties date back to the 16th and 19th centuries, most old garden roses flower only once from June into July.
“Modern shrub roses and English roses offer a major advantage, producing a spectacular flush of blooms in late spring before continuing to flower right through the season.”
The RHS has outlined the key distinctions between old and modern shrub roses, stating: “Old-fashioned roses include those originating before the 18th century.
“Modern shrub roses begin in the early 20th century and have been bred, often from the old-fashioned roses, for a greater range of colour, repeat-flowering and disease resistance not always found in the old-fashioned types.”
Shrub roses thrive best in fertile, well-drained soil with plenty of sunlight and room to flourish. The majority of shrub roses will fail to bloom in deep shade or persistently waterlogged soil.
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