Description

Not quite black but possibly the closest to it in a rose – this beauty will be admired by all in your garden with its sumptuous deep crimson-purple blooms. A ‘Hybrid Tea’ variety, it produces large, elegant, fragrant blooms in abundance all summer-long, from June right through to September. In bud, the flowers are the deepest chocolate maroon, which lightens as the petals unfurl. Borne on long strong stems, the blooms stand proud in the border and will also fill large patio containers. Easy to care for and best in full sun. Like most roses prune in late winter cutting back hard to a bud as the flowers are borne on new growth that follows. Supplied as a bare-root plant (dormant Oct-Mar) ready to plant now. Caring for you Bare Root Rose On receipt, soak the roots in water for at least two hours (overnight is better). Planting in Ground Select an appropriate spot for your rose, making sure that you give it enough space to grow Dig a hole twice the width of the roots, fork over the bottom to loosen the soil Add some good quality fertiliser eg. Blood Fish & Bone Aim to plant at the same depth as the soil mark on the trunk. Holding the rose upright with one hand, slowly backfill the hole with soil. Use your heel to compact the soil around the rose to ensure good contact with the roots Planting In Pots If you’re planting into pots, place some old rocks, stones, or gravel in the bottom of the pot for drainage Always try to use the best compost you can buy Add some sand or grit to aid drainage You are again aiming to plant to the depth of the soil mark. Firm down as you fill and press down hard with your heel when the pot is full.