Better_HomesandGardensAustralia-February_2017

Picking tip

As with all cut

flowers, choose a

good-quality pair of

secateurs that has

been sharpened. Cut

long, single stems

for vases, making a

single, angled cut

without crushing

the stem, as this will

diminish their ability

to take up water

and give them a

shorter vase life. And

be careful of their

thorns when cutting!

With a range of fragrances described

as myrrh, musk, pear, almond, vanilla,

lychee and zesty citrus, roses are

as delightful in a vase as a garden

bed. And then there’s the array of

colours – just choose your favourites.

Grow it

Roses are a forgiving plant, being

extremely adaptable to both climate

and soil conditions, making them very

tough and long-lived shrubs. Plant

in well-draining soil in garden beds,

enriched with organic matter such as aged

compost and manure. While some roses

may tolerate very light shade, generally

they prefer to be grown in bright sun, so

give them at least six hours of sunlight

a day. They flower freely in the warmer

months and have buds at different stages

of growth, creating a continuous display

from spring through late summer.

Rose

5

David Austin rose

Start with a pastel palette

then work with similar tones

for a cut bouquet from the

garden. Mix soft and deep

pinks and combine with garden

foliage in a lilac ceramic jug.

How’s this for a clever

idea? Display your freshly

cut blooms in a wooden

box on a vertical ladder for

everyone to walk past and

inhale the sweet aromas.

26 BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS, FEBRUARY 2017 bhg.com.au