June is the perfect month to celebrate one of the UK’s most beloved and quintessential flowers. From June 16th to 22nd, British Garden Centres is encouraging gardeners to take part in Rose Awareness Week, a special event dedicated to showcasing the beauty, elegance, fragrance and colours of roses that can be grown in any outdoor space. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or a novice, the British Garden Centres team has all you need to learn how to create beautiful, fragrant displays that will delight the senses all summer long.
Why roses?
Roses have long been symbols of love, beauty, and celebration. What makes them truly special is their versatility—they fit beautifully in gardens big and small, on patios, or even in pots. With so many varieties available, there’s a rose for everyone, from beginners to experts, making it easy to add them to any garden setting.
Imagine a border bursting with blooms, the air rich with fragrance, bees buzzing among the petals, and a riot of colour bringing your garden to life. With a little planning and care, your garden can become a fragrant sanctuary you’ll enjoy all summer and beyond.
Themed roses to inspire you
To help you get started, consider these themed planting ideas available at your local British Garden Centres store:
Perfect for patios: Compact rose varieties are ideal for containers or small beds.
Perfect perfume: Choose fragrant roses to fill your garden with scent.
Perfect for cutting: Pick roses that make beautiful bouquets.
Perfect nostalgia: Classic varieties that bring the timeless charm of the quintessential English rose.
Companion planting with roses
Pairing roses with other plants not only enhances their beauty but also supports their health and attracts beneficial insects. Here are some great companions:
Lavender: Its purple blooms and fragrance look lovely with roses and help deter pests.
Allium: Tall, striking flowers that contrast beautifully with roses and naturally repel pests.
Nepeta: Aromatic, with lavender-blue flowers that attract bees and butterflies.
Salvia: Vibrant spikes in purple, red, or blue add height and colour, supporting a healthy garden.
Penstemon, Phlox, Foxglove, Helenium, and Verbascum: These plants add texture and variety, creating a lively, inviting display.
How to create a beautiful rose display
Designing a rose display is easier than you might think. Start by choosing a theme that suits your style—whether you want a fragrant oasis, a classic cottage garden, or a sleek, modern look.
Make sure your roses get plenty of sunlight—at least six hours a day—and plant them in well-drained soil. Consistent watering and good air circulation are key, and mulching around the base will help keep weeds at bay and retain moisture.
For container gardens, pick compact rose varieties and pair them with fragrant herbs like lavender or thyme. In garden beds, mix taller roses with low-growing plants for depth and interest. Don’t forget to include nectar-rich flowers like salvia or foxglove nearby to attract pollinators. With the right companions, roses can help you create a garden that’s not only stunning but also supports a healthy, thriving ecosystem—something both you and nature will love
Julian Palphramand, Head of Plants at British Garden Centres, said:
British Garden Centres (BGC) is the UK’s largest family-owned garden centre group with 73 centres around the country. The group is owned and led by the Stubbs family, who also own and operate Woodthorpe Leisure Park in Lincolnshire.
BGC was launched in 1987 with the opening of Woodthorpe Garden Centre by brothers Charles and Robert Stubbs. Since 2018, it has expanded rapidly with the acquisition of 50 garden centres, allowing it to grow from its heartland to the business it is now, with 73 garden centres spread from Carmarthen to Ramsgate, Wimborne to East Durham.
The group has a team of 3000 colleagues working across the garden centres, restaurants, growing nurseries, distribution centres, Woodthorpe Leisure Park, and Woody’s Restaurant & Bar.
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Website: www.britishgardencentres.com