Roses

Many varieties also suit a natural cottage garden. Roses are hardy in Switzerland and are planted in autumn from October to November or in spring from March to April.

Buy roses: which type of rose suits your garden

Roses (Rosa) are divided into groups by habit and use. When choosing, it helps to ask where the rose will grow:

• Climbing roses: 2 to 3 m tall, for rose arches, obelisks and house walls. 'Zéphirine Drouhin' has fragrant pink flowers, is almost thornless and also tolerates partial shade. 'Climbing Iceberg' bears white flowers, and 'Paul's Scarlet Climber' glows red.
• Rambling roses: very vigorous, with long, flexible shoots that climb pergolas or trees. 'Veilchenblau' flowers violet, 'Alchymist' apricot and double.
• Shrub roses and historic roses: shrubs 1 to 2 m tall, often strongly scented, typical cottage-garden roses. These include 'Louise Odier', 'Reine des Violettes', 'Cardinal de Richelieu', 'Buff Beauty' and the robust rugosa rose 'Blanc Double de Coubert'.
• Hybrid tea roses: single, elegant flowers on long stems, ideal for cutting, such as 'Blue River'.

Planting time and position in Switzerland

The best time to plant bare-root roses is autumn, from mid-October to November, while the soil is still warm. Planting is also possible in March and April, and you can plant potted roses throughout the frost-free season. Roses need a sunny, airy spot with at least five to six hours of sun. Good air circulation helps prevent fungal diseases such as black spot and mildew. A deep, humus-rich and slightly loamy soil is ideal. Do not plant where roses have grown before, as this can lead to replant disease.

Planting and care

• Preparation: stand bare-root roses in water for a few hours and trim the roots slightly.
• Planting depth: set the graft union about 5 cm below the soil surface; this protects it from frost.
• Spacing: hybrid tea roses about 40 to 50 cm, shrub roses 80 to 150 cm, climbing roses 20 to 30 cm from the wall.
• Winter protection: in the first winter, earth up the base with soil or compost; at higher altitudes also cover with fir branches.
• Feeding and pruning: prune and feed in spring when the forsythia flowers, and feed a second time in June. Stop feeding from July.

Combining roses

Roses look more natural with perennials such as hardy geranium, lady's mantle, catmint or lavender, and the planting stays lively after the roses have finished. Single and semi-double varieties offer pollen to bees, and many wild and rugosa roses produce hips for birds in autumn.