Paul N

Climbing rose for a fan trellis

(Later) I've checked the David Austin website and in fact there IS a Climbing Gertrude Jekyll. Yes they have a stunning scent so the climber must be impressive.

Climbing rose for a fan trellis

Gertrude Jekyll is a David Austin shrub which won't grow more than 3ft although there may be a Climbing version of it. Check before you buy or you may be disappointed.

Poorly Rose

I know some people have success growing roses in pots but I believe they are happier in the ground. Patio roses don't seem to mind terribly but all of my roses (74) bar one are in the soil.

To repeat what has already been said, roses need watering (not too much, not too little), pruning (at the right time, and removing die back and swiggy stems), sunlight (at least six hours a day), compost (well rotted and NOT TOUCHING the actual rose) and feeding (a handful of rose feed in the spring and a watering of diluted tomato fertiliser when i;s look a bit under the weather. Look out for mildew and black spot. By and large roses are pretty tough plants which often can look after themselves.

Help with identifying a rose please

Roses really don't enjoy shade although a few tolerate it and they certainly can be moved, but preferably in the dormant period, late autumn to early spring. True the roots don't form a nice closely knitted mass like some plants but after all that's what bare rooted roses are. As I recommended in another Rose I/D thread, the Peter Beales website is a good start, or go along to your local garden centre and smell an 'Arthur Bell', a gorgeous yellow scented rose. I came across one only last weekend.

Name the rose

I should have added, speak to the previous house holder and search for buried labels at the bottom of the stems.

Name the rose

Karolina

In short, no. There are tens of thousands of rose varieties and many are almost identical. I suggest you go to a website such as Peter Beales, insert what details you have ie colour, height, scent, and that will narrow it down to a few hundred perhaps. Then go through each and every one untilyou find the most likely candidate. I have 73 different roses and have learned the names of all of them but in a blind test perhaps only 'Peace' or 'Rosa rugose rubra' would stand out. With roses in garden centres and nurseries now coming out, I'd take a bloom or three along and see if you can match them up.

Secateurs and Hand Sizes

I have small hands and own two pairs of Felcos. Both are fine for me but as figrat said, can't you find some in a garden centre near year to try out. BTW your Mum is choosing well as Felcos are the Rolls Royce of secateurs. They even make a pair for the left-handed gardener. They are do spares and a re-sharpening service.

Climbing rose for a fan trellis

Have a look at 'Compassion', one of my all time favourites. Strong scent, apricot colour, HT-like flowers, healthy, one of the best.

Repairing old wooden greenhouse

A trip to your local Homebase/B&Q should furnish you with materials to repair your greenhouse.I have repaired sheds which others have cast aside as being past it yet they are still giving stirling service. To repair the soft wood I believe Cuprinol have a product which when applied to the wood hardens it. If the silicone is sound, leave it well alone. If any is coming away, apply more. To finish the wood off, apply Cuprinol 'Garden Shades' available in a number of colours. All my sheds are in 'Somerset Green' a nice dark shade. This covers better than any other product I've tried and the brushes wash out in water, always a bonus, and the finish will repell rainwater.

Chelsea Flower Show

Thanks for that. I'd love to have watched the construction taking place. How fascinating.

Carol Klein's Glebe Cottage

Himalayan Balsam

Giverny in September

Chelsea Flower Show

Robinia pseudoacacia 'Frisia' problems

Globe Artichoke

Keukenhof

Britain's Oldest Rose Bush