Welcome to the English Garden newsletter.

Here are some tips on growing Roses - that much-loved flower in an English Garden.

Soil
Roses must have well drained soil. Too much water around their roots and they’ll turn up their toes and die.

However they do like rich soil so always dig down about two foot and incorporate some compost or well rotted horse manure into the soil before you plant them

Planting
Dig a hole that is big enough to take all the roots without squashing or allowing them to overlap.

Push soil around the roots and over them until your rose is firmly planted. If you suffer from very cold winters then the bud union – that’s the bit where the bud and the rootstock are joined – should be planted 2 inches under the soil – otherwise one inch deep.

Once planted don’t forget to give your roses a good water and check them every day.

Roses benefit from an annual mulch of compost.

Don’t plant roses too near other shrubs or under trees, make sure they will get at least half a day’s sunshine.

Remember that container roses can be bought and planted at any time of the year and if you buy them in flower then you get to see exactly what you are buying.

Bare rooted roses can only be bought and planted when the roses are dormant. Before planting them they should be stood in a bucket of tepid water for between 2 and 4 hours.

For the best flowers dead head your roses throughout the summer. This means remove the faded blossoms.

If you want hips do not remove the flowers.

Rose petals can be used to make pot pourri, sugared they can be used to decorate cakes or you could make rose petal wine. Why not experiment and have a go!

Here's the latest article from the English Garden site at BellaOnline.com.

Thyme in an English Garden
A traditional herb in an English Garden - it is very easy to grow and care for.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art51752.asp

Please visit englishgarden.bellaonline.com for even more great content about English Garden.

To participate in free, fun online discussions, this site has a community forum all about English Garden located here -

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=283

I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I thrive on your feedback!

Have fun passing this message along to family and friends, because we all love free knowledge!

Hellie T., English Garden Editor
http://englishgarden.bellaonline.com

One of hundreds of sites at BellaOnline.com
Here's the latest article from the English Garden site at BellaOnline.com.

Thyme in an English Garden
A traditional herb in an English Garden - it is very easy to grow and care for.

http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art51752.asp

Please visit englishgarden.bellaonline.com for even more great content about English Garden.

To participate in free, fun online discussions, this site has a community forum all about English Garden located here -

http://forums.bellaonline.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=postlist&Board=283

I hope to hear from you sometime soon, either in the forum or in response to this email message. I thrive on your feedback!

Have fun passing this message along to family and friends, because we all love free knowledge!

Hellie T., English Garden Editor
http://englishgarden.bellaonline.com

One of hundreds of sites at BellaOnline.com