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in total, representing over 100,000 rose lovers - and their decision certainly carries weight. First introduced in 1983, 'Graham Thomas' was bred by rosarian David Austin. His rose breeding programme aimed to combine the best qualities of old roses

Aptly named blackspot is a fungus that causes dark spotting on rose leaves and stems. Eventually, leaves turn yellow and drop off before autumn. Spores overwinter on the fallen leaves and re-infect the plant in spring when new foliage appears

and leaf stalks of roses to more obvious orange speckling on the leaves. This can lead to leaf fall. In late summer, look out for black pustules on the leaves.Learn more about rust and hollyhock rustOrange speckling on rose leaves in early summer, sometimes

Plant bare-root rosesDreaming of the summer and a garden full of beautiful roses? Now's the time to plant them so that their roots establish well during the spring. Even newly planted roses will reward you with blooms in their first season

A plant used to provide height and contrast in bedding schemes, usually among shorter varieties or ground cover plants. Plants often used include roses, dwarf trees and pelargoniums.

Symptom of a variety of viral diseases that attack the leaves of many plants, but particularly roses. The spots can be of various colours. Afflicted plants will need to be treated with a fungicide.

roses disease-free, or leave alone and put up with some infection? I'm not one of the old school, who sprays regularly, regardless of season just to create a perfect display. I garden with the absolute minimum use of artificial chemicals, probably like

Pick off leaves infected by rose blackspot or rose rust, and dispose of them in your dustbin and not on the compost heapSet up an automatic watering system with a drip nozzle for potted plants if you're going on holidayTop up water levels in ponds

Cut down willows and dogwoods to their base to promote strong new canes Finish taking hardwood cuttings from shrubs, trees and rosesPlant bare-root roses, hedging, trees and shrubsPick off hellebore leaves with black blotches as this is a symptom

Sow green manure crops to fill bare soilRemove pond weedsHoe and hand weed bordersFeed plants such as roses, shrubs and hedgesPrepare soil ready for sowing a lawn or laying turf during September and OctoberSend off for mail-order bulb catalogues