Double-value roses!
- 'Fru Dagmar Hastrup' Originating from Denmark, this was discovered in 1914 by a Mr Hastrup. It has disease-free foliage and large, silver pink, fragrant flowers, produced from June until autumn. Even better, the large, fleshy hips are showy and long-lasting and look wonderful against the autumn foliage in shades of gold, brown and green. It’s a great choice for a hedge or screen. Height: 1.5m (5ft).
- Rosa ‘Geranium’ (moyesii HYBRID) This Chinese species is renowned for its show of large, drooping hips. In summer ‘Geranium’ has a good display of rich red flowers over delicate foliage. It has an upright, open habit that arches as it ages. In autumn the large, flagon shaped, tomato-red hips last well into winter. Height: 2.5m (8ft 4in).
- Rosa canina. The simple charm and light fragrance of the shell pink and white flowers are captivating. A sprawling shrub with thorny, arching stems, the flowers are 5cm (2in) across and vary in shade. In June they’re carried in clusters along the stems. Bright scarlet, shining hips follow that can create quite a show in autumn long after the dull green leaves have dropped. It’s also tough and easy going.
Height: 2.5m (8ft 4in). - Rosa roxburghii. Known as the chestnut rose because of the large, showy hips that are covered in prickles. These follow the attractive, large pink flowers that fade to white. They’re not fragrant and there is just one flush of blooms. The hips rarely ripen to red but unusually remain lime-green or orange. Height: 2m (6ft 8in).
For the other three best roses that you can add to your garden, grab the latest copy of Garden News and find out our tips on autumn rose care.