Sunny Side Up

New roses for summer.

- Ludwig Taschner

GET THE LOOK

We may not be able to replicate the stately gardens of England, but there is a saying, ‘steal with your eyes’, and the walled garden at Coughton Court, a National Trust garden in the UK, offers plenty of inspiration. They planted a drift of shrub roses and used two obelisks spaced between the roses, to lead the eye through the bed. Shrubs and taller roses are planted on either side, adding height and interest but not disturbing or detracting from the show of roses. Keeping the two elements separate also has a practical advantage; the roses have enough space and light to grow and are not as bothered by root competition. You can almost inhale the fragrance of the pink roses in front. Antico Moderno roses such as ‘Addictive Lure’, ‘Linda Anne’, ‘Roberto Capucci’, ‘Perfume Passion’ and ‘Relais & Chateaux’ offer a similar look with plenty of fragrance. They can be combined with apricot cream roses like ‘Tess’, ‘Garden and Home’ and ‘Elisabeth Rose’.

With our strong summer sun, the roses that show up best and hold their colour are those with blooms in warm shades of orange, yellow and red. This season yields a fine crop of sturdy growers with flowers in glowing colours.

‘Nelson Mandela’ is a fiery orange-red floribunda Eco-Chic rose. It is a tall rose that matures into a stately bush covered with shiny, dark-green foliage that shows up the large semi-double blooms. Initiated by Keith Kirsten in consultation with the Nelson Mandela Foundation, proceeds from the sale of the rose will be donated to the Foundation.