The other week the Engineer’s godmother, Song, invited the Vicar and I to join her at David Austin Roses on the Vicar’s day off. We enjoyed our visit very much – they have gardens full of beautiful fragrant roses and a great tearoom. And more than that, Song went away with a lovely pink rose to cover a bank by her house and we came home with three rambling roses for our garden wall. We decided we could use them to deter coping stone thieves and nosey kids who like to peek over the wall. And they’ll look fabulous and smell delightful.
The Vicar has planted two roses by the back garden wall, with wooden posts and connecting wires, and another by the front door. Now we just need to get our plants to grow and bloom like this one. What do I need to know?
The Vicar's Wife 
Plenty of Horse manure – our roses love it.
I have a blog name! I had been secretly hoping for The Theologian, but Song is a very good choice. I planted my rose before I came back to Cambridge so I’m hoping it’s surviving in my absence.
Water more than you might think while they are establishing…especially if we get more of these hot days (having seen the forecast, maybe not everyday then..just the dry ones)
Feed them in April and again in early July, water them on planting and in dry spells thereafter (rain water if possible) and dead-head regularly to keep the blooms coming.
Make sure they are securely tied when winds are at their most violent and you will enjoy God’s most beautifull of all flowers for years.