Planting a Bare Root Rose Border for Summer Scent & Tropical (?) Colour

Today’s video is planting something a little bit different in my North Lincolnshire tropical style garden - a new bare root rose border for bold summer colour and beautiful scent! Whilst not immediately exotic, I think the varieties I've chosen will hopefully be strong plants with big, striking flowers providing nectar for the bees and pollinators in summer plus hips for the garden birds later in the year. If you want to grow flowers for scent then surely roses are a great choice and they'll certainly provide a shot of colour and summer vibrancy to the Mediterranean area between my tropical jungle and more arid exotic garden gardens. I look at the varieties I've chosen from David Austin roses - Rosa glauca for beautiful blue / grey / purple leaves, 'Roseraie de l'Hay' which is a vigorous Rugosa Rose used for hedging, 'Morning Mist' which is another large shrub rose with big single flowers and a long flowering season, 'Rhapsody in Blue' which is another recommended (actually purple!) rose with a great scent and also 'Tuscany Superb' which is an old rose with rich flowers that'll compliment my other exotic plants well. I go through how and when to plant bare root roses, how to space plants out in a new border or flower bed and how to care for newly planted roses including care tips for watering, feeding and mulching to set your rose up for healthy growth and lots of flowers in summer - even in organic gardens like mine. I try to cover practical tips such as how deep to plant bare root roses and why we use mycorrhizal fungi too. Let me know what you think and what plants you'll be adding to your garden for summer flowers and beautiful scent this year!
0:00 Intro
0:17 Do roses ‘belong’ in a tropical style garden?
0:44 My new sunny rose flower border experiment
2:28 Why roses? Evergreens vs. flowering plants for bold summer colour & scent
6:00 When do you plant bare root roses in UK gardens?
6:23 How to plant bare root roses into a garden border or flower bed
6:35 Bare root roses for bright flowers, wildlife & scent from David Austin, UK
9:27 How to space plants and plants a garden border
12:26 Digging holes for bare root roses and a look at my garden soil
14:37 A closer look at planting bare root roses
16:14 How deep to plant bare root roses
18:35 Using mycorrhizal fungi to plant roses, trees and other garden shrubs
22:12 Care tips for newly planted roses including watering, spring feeding & mulching
25:22 Add scent, summer colour, seasonal interest and personality to your garden with whatever plants YOU like!
If you've enjoyed my content and would like to say thanks for the price of a coffee then please head over to my Ko-fi, any kind donations would be appreciated and put towards creating more exciting content (or treats for Max if you wish!): ko-fi.com/georgesjunglegarden​​
Thanks,
George

[@missdimples1982]

Roses are a beautiful sight, I can't imagine having a garden without them

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

I'm pleased you approve and I'm excited to see what they add to my garden. An unusual choice for me perhaps but if they grow strongly and healthily they'll certainly be enjoyed and appreciated!

[@edwinlandman1924]

Yes roses are lovely for a tropical garden. I have Rose Compassion. Lovely scent and color

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one, I'm pleased to hear Compassion works well for you and I'm looking forward to enjoying the scent here one day soon!

[@gardentours]

No matter if they belong to a tropical garden they will definitely look beautiful 🌹🥀🌹👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks and that's very true - I hope they settle in well!

[@regalportraits3921]

George's jungle, lush and wide, With palms and ferns standing side by side. Canvas stretched under sunlit beams, Gunnera giants, in verdant dreams. Then came roses, a sight so rare, Among the tropicals, with flair to spare. "Roses?" followers exclaimed with glee, George's garden, now with more to see.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

My first poetic comment and a lovely rhyme, Hopefully my roses prove equally sublime! Bright, bold and brash, they’re an experiment it’s true. Where’s the fun in gardening without trying out the new? Believe me though, if they end up looking diseased or half dead, They’ll be ripped straight out and replaced with exotic palms instead!

[@vincenzecalzone8666]

I absolutely detest roses but your language school today was absolutely class 😂. Love the way you gave the name of that rose de l'Hay in your best French then offered "I apologise if that's offensive" I bloody loved😂😂.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hahaha yeah, had to caveat it with that! It might have been textbook perfect, it might have been a wild and misjudged mispronunciation but I thought I'd leave it in anyway for feedback haha! We'll see how the roses work out - as I mentioned I'm not the biggest fan of them individually as a genus but I can see a way these might bring a bit of what this area of the garden is 'missing'. If there's any issues with black spot etc. then it'll be Kniphofias and Euphorbias all the way!

[@milkweeddreams8828]

I drooled a bit looking at the blooming roses at a local nursery yesterday, but I contained myself thinking that a climbing rose would be perfect on the side of my garage, I'm painting my house a Terra Cota color giving a Mediterranean/Mexican vibe, I think I can pull it off and give me that love of roses and that amazing scent next to the jasmine, sweet olive and gardenia...thanks...!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

The climbing rose idea sounds great and I think you’re completely right! I’m not sure I’ve got a properly tropical style area where I can see one working but for giving that proper hot country vibe - particularly with the terracotta etc I can really see them working. Not afraid to admit I’m wrong if they don’t thrive or fit in though 😂

[@fraserdavidson2366]

Oh excellent choice George. And another interesting video. I can only imagine how well those roses will smell when in full bloom. One of my non tropical plants I have is Cotinus. The smoke Bush. Does not have large leaves but would not be without the mass of purple foliage. It just works so well with my exotic plants.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Fraser, we'll see but hopefully so! Cotinus are great and one of those plants I've been so close to adding to the garden here on a couple of occasions (and might still do!). I bet the purple contrasts very nicely with green palm leaves and other evergreen exotics!

[@fraserdavidson2366]

All I will say George is if you add it to your garden you will not be disappointed 😉

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha thanks for the recommendation, it's on the potential plants list!

[@samanthalonghurst-howes1465]

I think the roses will look beautiful there George. I love all plants whether they be tropical - cottage garden and everything in between. You should paint your garden in whatever colours that are pleasing to you. Loved this video again George. Thanks xxx

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Samantha, we'll see! A bit of an unusual choice but hopefully one that'll work well. You're completely right, you should definitely grow what you want to grow and even in a garden with plant choices that are influenced by an overall effect, there's room for personality and creativity. Thanks again and see you soon!

[@irismoles9369]

Roses are great I’ve got roses cottage garden plants and jungle ones love them all. Looking forward to seeing them grow

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one Iris, that’s the spirit! Hopefully they’ll form a mass of colour in my Mediterranean area but we’ll see!

[@estherterrier6400]

Love this video, you can't beat a rose or a cameilia for a pop of colour, I also use geraniums. Your little sausage dogs are great in the videos 😊

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Ahh thanks, I try to involve Max and Remi when they're around and on the rare occasions when they're calm and behaving themselves! I have wanted to add a Camellia for a while too, just trying to decide on the right place here where it wouldn't be bashed around by the wind too much!

[@fansaaga4033]

Roses looks great between palms

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, I hope so!

[@davegilman6046]

Everything belongs in a tropical garden if it works for you! Plants like roses have long been part of the "Paradise Garden" style of garden design and you often see them in beautiful gardens in the Mediterranean - looks like you've made a great choice on the varieties as well. I have had rosa glauca on my list for years but never got round to getting one!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Very true! Technically mine are in a more Mediterranean are of my garden but I thought filming a video putting them in would give the opportunity to ask if they 'belong' in a tropical garden etc. Hopefully my varieties settle in well and the glauca is actually going up at the top end of the garden behind the Eucalyptus where it'll mirror the one opposite. I'm not sure how well they'll adapt to the drier conditions up there but the foliage will hopefully fit in well with the silvery blue theme and more naturalistic style. Maybe this year is the year to get a glauca!

[@davegilman6046]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden have you watched the first episode of the new Monty series on Spanish Gardens yet? Lots of roses on there, I thought of your garden when I watched it! 😃

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

We were actually away seeing family last weekend and I've only just started watching it on Iplayer but I'll certainly finish it. Yes, I imagine roses will feature heavily but I'm also excited to see some of the more informal Mediterranean gardens which will be featured too!

[@gabelaw785]

I love this George, I’m totally influenced and going to try the Morning Mist up against the trellis of certain death 🤣 The area gets the morning sun and is lovely in Summer for an early cup of tea. I love roses, and am not purist about the tropical vibe so not sure why I haven’t gone there.....will watch your progress with interest. My cockapoo would relish those holes!🤣🤣 Glad you’re back with more videos (and it’s appreciated, I don’t know how you find the time), so informative and watchable as usual, there is a David Attenborough vibe in your delivery which always makes me smile 🌴☀️🦜

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Emma and I hope 'Morning Mist' proves to thrive against the challenge of your trellis of death! It's a lovely rose from what I've seen and it may be worth checking out the other climbers available too and see what grabs you. I'm lucky our Dachshunds don't really like digging but when I'm out there with a spade they're still interested in what I must be looking for! Thank you, I'm not sure I deserve any David Attenborough comparisons haha but one of the ways I'm trying out to make more videos is a more informal style like this one here, literally filming what I'm doing and why without overthinking things. There'll be plenty more garden visits and tour videos on the way later in the year though!

[@Plant_Mad_Paul]

Sounds like its going be a great little bed George 😀. My garden is sub tropical themed but ive got a David Austin - Gertrude Jekyll climber that's going up and over the pergola, it smells so lovely in the sitting area, got it for remembrance of my late nan bless her. The Clematis that's growing on the other side is now growing through it adding a darker leaf to the glossy rose leaves.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Paul and I'm sure your Gertrude Jekyll is a fitting tribute to the remembrance of your nan, that variety is supposed to be one of the finest for scent isn't it. The clematis is a great idea too and I bet it helps tie the more typical rose foliage in with your sub tropical theme. Hopefully mine settle in well and grow away with black spot issues!

[@flamingmonkey]

We have had roses mixed with our tropical garden for years as I’ve never felt harsh enough to remove them to only have purely tropical plants. Encouraging to see we are in good company George!

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yes, you've got to do what works well for you don't you! I do admittedly see my garden through the lens of sharing it on this channel, but as much as I always talk about fully going for a theme, it's another thing ripping out or excluding plants which give you joy just for the sake of sticking to an arbitrary plant list. Hopefully mine grow as well as yours have!

[@flamingmonkey]

Good luck with them and I hope there might be an update later in the season 👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thank you very much and there will be indeed! They'll no doubt be a mention in my garden tours and I'll probably also do separate updates with them being a new addition to the garden too.

[@michelleskitchengardendiar6934]

You have picked a lovely selection of 🌹roses. I have a one climbing rose in the back of my tropical boarder that is a deep burgundy colour, I think it works well as pick the same time from my tropical plants. I thought it might stick out pick sore thumb but it really doesn't. You will enjoy them I'm sure. Great video George

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Michelle, hopefully so! You’re completely right, with the right colours and planting they can definitely fit in the your climbing rose will definitely add a bit of something different! It’s a bit of a risk going for a few together but I’d like to think they’ll work well with the Mediterranean area. We’ll see!

[@NickCraggs]

Also, I love the " wrong plant, wrong place" joke! 😆 😉

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yes, a little nod to Mark's videos!

[@markchitty6505]

Great Vid George... did you say party ? hope I get an invite lol :) I think if there is a plant you really like, tropical or not... plant it

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks! I realised when I used that word that most of the 'parties' that are likely to happen are going to be child birthday ones as I'm usually a miserable and unsociable sod haha! You're right, I'd definitely say that but I also try to factor in the overall look in certain areas of the garden so we'll see if they fit in. Fingers crossed!

[@Tminus89]

Sounds like a good combo, you can mix and match so many plants together.. Your party haha. Screw "the rules", there are none. If it works, it works😁

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Very true, I think it's worth a go rather than going for the more predictable choices I was mulling over! Fingers crossed they stay healthy and flower well!

[@Tminus89]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden they at least look like they will keep their form and beauty through the year, don't know if that's the case? There are plenty of roses that turn a brown heap of sorrow after they bloom 😆

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hopefully so! The Tuscany is a once flowering rose and the others should have a good season. As for how they look after flowering, we'll see so hopefully they don't look too much of a mess! I'm quite keen to let hips grow on the back two so will be a reluctant to prune and deadhead too much later in the season so fingers crossed they're on the tidier side...

[@jimbailey3705]

I'm actually looking for a rose for my garden! One of my neighbours has a rose with such a stunning tropical colour... but it does look like a rose and isn't quite what I'm going for, but it still inspired me to look out at garden centres! And another garden on the way to work has a rose that I only know is a rose, because I stopped to check as I wanted to know what the tropical looking flower was! It was a red and yellow striped rose, very tropical from a distance! I still haven't chosen, and I might wait until I can go Peter Beals rose garden in Summer and see a load of varities in bloom. I have been checking their website for those stripy roses though! Can't wait to see how yours look in Summer. I'm sure they will look fantastic! :D

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hmm interesting and I'm pleased to hear you're exploring adding one too! I'd definitely go to Peter Beal's rose garden if you're close and want some help with your decision. Whilst they're certainly evocative of a cottage style or floral garden, potentially the odd one here or there or maybe a striped one can add a bit of something different to your tropical garden, good look with your search Jim! Thanks and hopefully so!

[@EastCoastTropicalGarden]

I have some small red roses mixed in with my palm and evergreens, red goes really well with greens

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one and you're completely right. There's a lot of bold colours that work well with greens but red is definitely up there as one of the best!

[@tropicalpdx1341]

Sorry George, I agree with you on most things but Roses do not belong in a tropical garden. In a Mediterranean garden, yes. I lived in the City of Roses (Portland, OR) and when I bought my previous house it came with 44 Rose bushes - they didn't last one week. 8 years on I was still finding rose shoots here and there. Once you have them they are tough to eradicate. Not good for little kids either (wink, wink) But its your garden and its always best to plant what you like so I'm willing to support you in this decision😂

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha don't worry - I was being a bit facetious with the main question and whilst I do believe you can fit almost any plant into a tropical or jungle garden with careful variety selection and planting - these are very much in a Mediterranean area of mine. The key issues I see are - will they settle in well and grow without disease problems and will they fit in visually with the surrounding exotics. We'll see! If I'd moved into a house with manky old rose bushes, I'd have done the same as you haha! Believe me, if these don't work out they will be getting eradicated for sure haha. As for the kids comment, they're over to one side and potentially blocking the steps up the wall to my unsteady copings and spiky Agave / Yucca border so maybe as a visual deterrent they have a purpose haha! I'm not one to experiment wastefully or be controversial for the sake of it but I can see the roses here either working really well or being a complete mistake - either well your begrudging support is welcome haha!

[@TigerMa75]

It depends on the variety, certainly the bright unusual colours and striped can work brilliantly. We have them in our Mediterranean section and they work really well - plenty of tea roses and rugosas(Asia) and one old French rose originally from 1890’s. Unfortunately, diseases can still hit even the hardiest rose but regular pruning (apart from rugosa and old roses - after flowering) mulching and feeding helps them a lot. Ensure the ‘knee’ union is at soil level not below otherwise rose dieback can occur.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

You are completely right and obviously my roses are similarly in a Mediterranean section so they'll hopefully fit in well visually. Disease is the big issue isn't it, I will do everything I can (mulching & feeding etc.) but ultimately I won't spray so if one is especially afflicted then it will be coming out. I did look around before choosing the planting depth and 2" / 50mm below the surface was the recommended depth so we'll see - it's hard to know when your new to a group of plants and the advice can often seem contradictory or change over time so fingers crossed!

[@thecornishbiker9323]

Sellll outttt 😀 hahahaha Got that rhapsody in blue in my garden and its a great colour and scent. Oh no im a sell out toooo. Got a few jasmin as well which have an amazing fragrance in the summer. Fair play for changing it up a touch.👍🏿

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Haha yep! Obviously mine are in a more Mediterranean themed area of my garden but I thought it was a good opportunity to ask the question as it's interesting looking in the Facebook groups and finding which plants do and don't belong in a tropical style garden. Jasmine works well, the flowers might not be as bold or colourful as other climbers but it has good foliage and the scent is really nice for sure. Hopefully the roses settle in here and the 'Rhapsody in Blue' grows as well as yours, you dirty sell out!

[@thecornishbiker9323]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden 😀 i think maybe lots of plants cross the jungle style divide . Ive got lots of helebore for early colour and great floor coverage with those big leaves. Plus they where my mums fav. I use peony and tree peony for similar thing and summer flower. Grandma fav .Giant calla lilly for huge leaf and those amazing large white flowers. Ive got a grape vine that covers 60ft of fence and makes it disappear through the summer so the barriers are blurred between next door and mine,with passion flower in amongst it .Not sure they would be classed as tropical but they definitely add to the jungle dence foliage look. Loving the new content and looking foward to seeing that firepit finished in 2026 or whenever you get five mins to yourself. I have a 3 year old so i feel your pain. 😀 ive got 6 telegraph poles at the bottom of my garden that where ment to be a balinese hut but then the kid came and my spare time went.😀😀

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Very true and Hellebores are the perfect example. By themselves they look like typical 'cottage' or generic seasonal garden centre plants but when planted alongside some other lush evergreens they completely fit in. Calla lilies are an easy fit too and I like your climber choices - density is key! Thanks haha, yep, that's exactly how it is and I hope you're able to make time with the Balinese hut this spring! I've got a week to make the most progress I can on the firepit this spring and have a list that I'd like to get through so hopefully I can get it to a point where just the cladding and maybe patio need doing when spare time (and money!) are available. There's no pressure but equally I'd like it to be ready to enjoy in some state of completion for next summer which seems doable.

[@mikemekong290]

I'm just at the start of my jungle/tropical garden,well second 2nd year I'm terrified of screwing it up 😮😅soon be booked in at Dirt Cheap ....going for standard all 3ftish trachycarpus fortunei,Nova,Wagnerius, small Tree Fern funny thing is iv grown roses all my life but now (I'm 67)I'm hooked on Musas and all thingsTropical😂...stay happy Mike....

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Mike and don't worry - you'll do just fine I'm sure and going to Dirt Cheap Plants is a great start! Top plant choices! Haha yes, the roses are a bit of an experiment for me in what is really a Mediterranean area but when it comes to a proper tropical area you can't go wrong with palms, tree ferns and bananas. Good luck with it all and I hope you enjoy the process!

[@mikemekong290]

Thanks for the reply you must get hundreds of comments to reply to. You have a good way of explaining things with a real passion for what your talking about.You should try to get in tv on a gardening program think youd be perfect for that....Mike

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks Mike! Yeah, you're not wrong haha and replying to the comments can certainly take a while but I'll keep making the effort! Cheers for your kind words. Who knows what opportunities might pop up but you know what, being able to make the videos I want to make, how I want to make them, with feedback and support from an engaged community is definitely something that a lot of people in TV probably wish for so the grass isn't always greener! I've got some video / series ideas that I haven't seen on TV / KZbin before so it's definitely exciting having the freedom and creativity to do what I want on here.

[@truth-hurts3089]

Lovely. I've got oses growing next to my euphorbia too. Mingled among my palms etc. Roses go brilliantly. Can recommend David Austin. The 1 DA rose I have is a better grower and less black spot than others in my garden. Watch out for black spot. Quite tricky trying to source attractive but near thornless roses.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one, I hope they prove to be healthy and work well visually here too! Although the question of the vid is about a tropical style mine are definitely in a Mediterranean area and I think they'll provide a lovely contrast to the green palms and Euphorbia mound. With them being off to the side (and next to my spiky beds of Yuccas and Agaves etc.), the thorn side of things doesn't worry me too much but black spot is certainly a concern and I really hope doesn't become an issue. Yes, I can't fault DA, I ordered my two plants from them last year so stuck with them for the bare roots - I hope they grow well and thanks for your input!

[@kathrynleithall5906]

I have about 60 roses mixed in with mine, many are tall varieties mid way back in borders. It started off as a cottage garden as was too exposed for the more tropical looking plants which came a bit later. Tuscany is lovely and healthy for me. Rhapsody too. I would miss them for the colour and scent so kept them.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Fantastic Kathryn and I'm pleased to hear your experiences with Tuscany and Rhapsody, thanks. I'm lucky to have started with my tropical / jungle / Med / arid garden from scratch but it's really interesting to hear about how others have really developed their garden style over the years or worked with the existing plants to create a blend of styles they love! Hopefully the roses grow well here too.

[@gordonissocoollike]

Thanks George. I use ground cover roses and the odd standard type. And wild dog roses. They look great with box topiary too

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one, great to hear they work well in your garden Gordon! I think there's definitely a place for bold roses with a wilder edge in my garden so hopefully they grow well!

[@Mevmotto]

I love roses, I also love tropical gardens

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

There's plenty of room to love both isn't there! Whether they visually work with the surrounding plant choices or grow well here is maybe an experiment but one I'm happy to share with you!

[@TropicalDanUK]

I think there's a place for roses in a similar to way to there's a place for hydrangeas. We've got a hybrid tea rose that grows very upright and produces large deep red amazing smelling flowers that pop out from behind a small bamboo. We've also got a climbing rose which we planted the year before I decided to go tropical and it produces masses of pink flowers which now in hindsight I'd rather they were yellow or orange or something less cottage looking. Still looks great though. Certainly a very rewarding group of plants for colour! I'll be planting hardy hibiscus this year for a similar effect.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Nice one Dan and I certainly agree. I haven't got any hardy hibiscus here but I can certainly see then blending into a more overtly tropical scheme. Obviously my roses are in a more Mediterranean themed part of my garden but I thought it would be interesting to raise the question of whether they belong in a tropical garden as so many other flowering plants like Dahlias, Salvias and Hydrangeas as you say are welcomed with open arms. I just hope they prove to be strong and healthy plants here so fingers crossed!

[@k.424]

In my experience of the Glauca rose, it can be a bit slow to establish - and it seems to keep a nicer foliage colour with a certain amount of shade. So maybe morning sun, afternoon shade. I actually saved & rehomed 2 from a clients garden end of last year, so I'm excited & curious to see how well they do for me. Good luck with yours 😁

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks for the tips and good luck with yours too! I’d heard about the foliage and shade but wanted to give mine a go at my sunnier end under the Eucalyptus where the glaucous foliage will hopefully work well IF they thrive there. We’ll see, fingers crossed!

[@shineamenmbs3107]

Forget about the tropical looks, just enjoy the plants you like or desire! But be sure you will be reported to the Tropical Garden Academy!! hahaha! 😁 'Tuscany superb' has an amazing color. Hope it is strong enough as you said. I know a bit the Roseraie de L' Hay variety. It's a very tough rose, and the scent is superb! Thank you Georges, all the best!🌹

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Very true Bernard and I'll hopefully avoid being reported if the roses perform as I know they can! I'm pleased you have experience of the choices and would recommend Roseraie de L' Hay. 'Tuscany Superb' is a bit of a gamble but hopefully with some good mulching, feeding and maintenance it'll work well. Thanks for your info again and all the best!

[@jondi1115]

I'm removing my last roses soon, riddled with ugly black spot every year. But best of luck with yours George 👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks and sorry to hear yours haven’t done well. I’ve hopefully chosen mostly healthy varieties and will do everything I can to keep them healthy but if they end up looking diseased with black spot etc then they’ll be coming out here too! Fingers crossed the experiment works out though!

[@staffordshireShane]

Nothing smells nicer mate . Only reason i hate them at work is prunning them 🤣🤣🤣 flowers look amazing all summer right upto december.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Very true! Yeah, pruning them isn't going to be fun but hopefully the long season of interest will work well with the Kniphofias and Sedums etc. It's very much an experiment in terms of how well they do and fit in with my garden but with some TLC I think they could certainly bring another dimension to the palms and Mediterranean planting.

[@mltthorn]

Ohh this is interesting. I'll be especially interested to find out if the silica from the bamboo leaves have any affect on the roses or if the bamboo helps hide the roses from pests. So yes interesting.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

That's interesting and the silica isn't even something I'd considered. I plan to do the best I can with the roses in terms of feeding / mulching / watering and pruning so hopefully they prove to be healthy here!

[@stevebacon1026]

Hi george. I wont say to much about roses! Ive got a jungle garden , and my wife insists on having half a dozen standard roses on the patio! Il be honest i hate them !!!! I get torn to shreds every day when working around them. I just hate plants that have sharp points! Roses should be banned!🤣. Hope you read my comment on you quetionairre a while back.?ps i dont mind guns n roses😂. Regards Steve.👍

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Guns N’ Roses 😂 Standard roses and old fashioned neat rose beds literally do nothing for me but the opportunity to have a looser planting of them with big flowers and good scent - we’ll see! There’s plenty of alternatives to go in if they don’t work out 😂 Yeah - the thorns aren’t a positive however you look at them! I did see your comment thanks and will get back to you ASAP, getting caught up with them all takes a bit longer these days 😂

[@palmlifeuk3553]

Hi George, have you done a video on how you constructed those high beds going along the fences? I'd be interested in how you did that. Thinking of doing something similar and thoughts are the more decent soil I can get my palms in the better.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, I haven’t as it’s not exactly how I’d do it in an ideal world. The right hand side one in front of the with mostly yuccas was done with 600 x 900mm slabs concreted in at a slight angle so no worries there. The one with most of the palms is just done with staggered courses of breeze blocks just stacked up for now. The bed looks higher because of the sunken area next to it, it’s stable but my thinking is when I come to replace the fence panels I’ll just use two gravel boards for the bottom couple of rows which will let me add more soil and maximise the use of the space. By the point I come to do that I imagine the soil in the beds will become settled enough to do the swap. There’s other factors but essentially I’d always recommend building a proper wall or using stone if you can and avoid using softwood sleepers. It depends on the palms but extra drainage and more good soil will usually help!

[@tonyworrall7379]

And of course Christopher Lloyd also had two Dachshunds .😃

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Very true, it’s funny how so many gardeners like them!

[@vorong2ru]

I do have lots of roses ans spray free. Just dont care about a tiny bit of black spot. There are very unusual varieties that fit tropical vibe with dwrker foliage/ bronze and red stems especially from david austin. I bought mine in bulk from dutchbulbs very cheaply, they dont do austins tho..

[@vorong2ru]

For the scent I can't recommend enough new Penelope lively rose from DA, trouble free and fragrance goes all over the garden and it's really delish

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks for letting me know about your experiences and I'm pleased you agree that there are certain roses which fit in with a tropical vibe - potentially even more so than the bold Mediterranean selection I've chosen. Thanks for the recommendation too - I'll be honest, it isn't a colour or flower I'd personally choose for here but it does look incredibly beautiful and amazing to know how healthy and fragrant it is too. The perfect rose for flower lovers who want more pink in their garden!

[@roguedungeondelver5738]

Also factor in exotic rose look a likes, Camellia japonica which flowers in deep shade, Moutan Peonies with their ferny leaves and cabbage blooms. The herbaceous peonies associate well with Fargesia, Camellia and Acer Palmatum.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks and top ideas, there may well be a Camellia coming to my garden soon and there's definitely a group of plants that could work well with a more woodland / jungle hybrid style garden aren't there!

[@roguedungeondelver5738]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden The only difficulty with Camellia is the Soil Acidic enough and watching out for Vine Weevils. Peony Suffruticosa and Lutea are exotics, ironically they flower better after a heavy frost, coming from Mongolia and Northern China.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks for the info and yes, we're not overly acidic here but areas of the garden are on the acidic side of neutral. 'Adolphe Audusson' is potentially what I'd go for in a more sheltered area of the garden.

[@roguedungeondelver5738]

​Good to hear George, other varieties to go for would be variegated Camella flower like Bonomiana and Kasuga Yama, Bonomiana reaches 15ft plus. In old Japanese wall scrolls Birds have been depicted nesting in them. Sorry for the late reply.​@@GeorgesJungleGarden

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

No worries and cheers for the suggestions! I'll have a look into them!

[@NickCraggs]

Admittedly I have watched the first 30 seconds of this video before I commented but A) looking forward to a fire pit video and B) I can't stand rose gardens (I am sure later on you show some great ways to use roses in a tropical style garden) but I can't stand roses and rose gardens they look so bleak and empty and lacking in plants, in my opinion. Plus their thorns make a Phoenix look friendly.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Nick and don't worry - initial responses are welcome and I do share your feelings about rose gardens. As an overall style they do very little for me and you're completely right, have little to offer in winter other than hips on certain species. That being said though, for a Mediterranean garden or area like mine here which is mostly about summer enjoyment a few select varieties may just offer an abundance of summer colour and scent (hopefully!) and not detract from the overall aesthetic. We'll see, if the decision is regretted they'll be coming out but I thought it provided a good subject for discussion about what 'belongs' in a tropical style garden. As for the fire pit, yes, I'll be getting a week on it later in spring so fingers crossed it's a productive one!

[@roguedungeondelver5738]

There's also exotic species like Rosa chinensis and Tea Nousettes and Bourbons and Damascus rose. Roses were originally bred from the sub tropical species from China for repeat blooming with the cold hardy European species.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

You're very right and it's interesting to hear about the origins and how they are perceived as a group of plants. I think here in the UK we certainly have an idea about what roses are and how they should be grown so hopefully mine don't realise they're not in a traditional country garden with neatly organised bedding plants!

[@roguedungeondelver5738]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden That's true, there's also the use of climbing roses which can wind around the large trunk of a Trachy palm or Cordyline and Jubea. Like the Bougainvillea of Greece and Italy.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks and that's very true. Whilst my mention of it didn't make the final video, Bougainvillea was actually one of the plants I was trying to emulate with the roses. In a lot of genuinely tropical or Mediterranean gardens there's a focus on huge swathes of overpowering colour which the subtropical style here in the UK doesn't always take advantage of and I'd like to think these roses can bring a taste of that here!

[@roguedungeondelver5738]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden It's a good idea to consider, especially large climbing species that are red, or orange, even Campsis, trumpet vine which is hardy can be used with palm trees or passion flower and pink wisteria.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Campsis are definitely great too and I very nearly picked one up last summer - I like your idea of growing them around / up palms. Maybe something to consider as mine get taller!

[@OssyDL]

Hi George bit off topic but would i be ok mixing coco coir into the compost in the beds? Or does it retain too much moisture? Its already been mixed with perlite and can get alot of it for free

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi Danny, my general rule of free stuff is take it if it has any potential use and sort the actual purpose out later haha! Personally I think it potentially can work well when mixed into soil for beds where better structure and drainage helps - it would help break up a clay structure well and ultimately coir is organic matter of sorts. I've used it to grow feather palms in before and it's definitely an interesting option that both drains well but also retains moisture. If it's free then go for it where the plants will appreciate a better structure.

[@roguedungeondelver5738]

Hi George, the Mediterranean inspiration is lovely and has got me thinking about it now. I'm using terracotta pots with grass, geranium and herbs and carnations. My question is for the carnation they get a species of Fusarium Wilt but I'm unsure is it the same family as Palm , Banana and Tomato. Could you see any problems with having Carnations with palms and bananas in the garden. Even though the fusarium wilt is subcategorised into different strains. Thank you.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi and thanks, pleased to put an idea into your head as so many comments do for me! In all honesty, I'm not sure about the Fusarium Wilt and I can't say it's a particular concern of mine. Personally I avoid introducing any plants into the garden that may be affected with disease or pests but when it comes to potential clashes and susceptibilities between plants in the same families I'd have to do some research. Sorry I can't be more helpful!

[@roguedungeondelver5738]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Tha KS George, I did a bit of research and the strain that affects Carnations seems to be a different family or subgenus to the palm and banana wilt. They really look nice in terracotta pots with some herbs, geraniums or Impatients. A great evergreen flowering plant for a dry sunny sandy border is Rhodanthemum, or Moroccan Daisy, they sailed through the cold and wet we have and are very hardy. They come in pink and white with silvery green ferny foliage. Thanks George.

[@roguedungeondelver5738]

​Thanks George apparently the Fusarium wilts are in different families or subgenus. The carnatios will look nice in a terracotta pot with some herbs, geraniums and impatiens. For a hardy plant for sun and rockeries, there's Rhodanthemum, the Moroccan Daisy, they're very hardy mountain plants with silvery green ferny foliage. They grow in sandy poor soil but are very hardy and sailed through the wet and the cold of winter flowers are pink and white. A hardy alternative to the South African daisy, Osteospermum. Thanks.​@@GeorgesJungleGarden

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

That's interesting to know thanks and good to hear there's a low risk of affecting palms etc. Ooo, thanks for the heads up about Rhodanthemum, I hadn't heard of those but they could work nicely with my arid / Med area. I appreciate you coming back to me and it's great to learn about these things!

[@roguedungeondelver5738]

@@GeorgesJungleGarden Of Course, It interesting to see what new plants that are very hardy can be grown here. A lot of conifers from South America and shrubs from Asia fit into this category.

[@onemanfran]

I made the mistake of planting loads of roses after Pinterest and youtube made me believe that the days of high maintenance roses were over. What a mistake! I have a no spray garden and the effort it takes to stop black spot is unreal. Never again :( but I have about 30 of the blimmin things

[@xplosivebaits7750]

I feel your pain, already cutting new growth off and spraying and the season ain’t started yet

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Sorry to hear that Fran and if black spot etc. is an issue here I'll be removing them rather than spraying. Obviously selecting 'healthy' and disease-resistant varieties is a good start and then mulching and feeding well to reduce issues but yes, some varieties and gardens seem prone to problems and it's a shame other people are recommending or pushing them without a dose of realities and maintenance. I hope some of yours prove to be healthy and vigorous before you have to make the decision to remove them.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

That's a shame @xplosivebaits7750 - you have my sympathy. As I don't spray here, if any of mine don't 'work out' or get affected by black spot etc. then they'll be coming out but for now my fingers are crossed and I'll do everything I can. I hope you have a great growing season for yours!

[@louiset445]

Good luck with your roses George! I've just dug all of mine up because the battle with rose sawfly was ruining the summer period. I tried everything organic to get rid of them, but it was a losing battle. Hope you have better luck!

[@vorong2ru]

You can go for modern kordess roses ie Sweet honey, they are literally disease free

[@johnvenables1763]

George. Google says Lindum nursery is closed temporarily. Do you know if/when it will reopen? Cheers

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi John, they always close in winter and will be back open in March I believe - not sure on the date though but I’ll let you know if I hear anything.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi @johnvenables1763 - I had a chat with them yesterday and they’re looking to reopen in a few weeks after their winter break and works to make the car park larger 😊

[@1972mystro]

I live in America and i can't find any green formiums? Any ideas where i could get a couple?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, I'm not sure in all honesty but if you want a large green Phormium then Phormium tenax is the one you want to be looking for.

[@David_Banner]

I use tulips, so why not Roses? Rasta Parrot Tulips to be precise.

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Great choice on the tulips and hopefully so! Obviously this area is entirely ‘tropical’ but I thought it would be a good opportunity for an experiment and ask the question about the plants we choose to use and why 😊

[@juwelkeeper]

What happened to your vivax George ?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Hi, my big Vivax plants are still in the bamboo tunnel before this part of the garden, the 'Huangwenzhu Inversa' which was here got moved back up the garden into my jungle area.

[@TheBarefootedGardener]

No, George, they don’t! I think you’re leaning into your British nature a little bit here😂😂 why not perennial hibiscus?

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

😂 That is the blunt and largely true answer! Obviously mine are going in an area which is leaning more towards Mediterranean than ‘tropical style’ which is why I made the decision but I thought it would be interesting to ask the question as so many growers experiment with a hybrid of different styles. Hibiscus flowers would certainly fit a ‘tropical’ theme but they’ve never really grabbed me hugely yet. If the roses don’t work out then I think I’d go for another Euphorbia with some Kniphofia too!

[@DJSupaflyguy]

Boooo you tropical garden sellout 😡😂😂Nah it’ll look mint like the rest of the garden. 👌👌👌👌

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

😂 Haha thanks, we’ll see! As long as they grow strong and healthy there’s a good chance it’ll work!

[@DJSupaflyguy]

One thing I will say is I hope they grow quickly because I brought some from our old house and cuttings I rooted about 6 years ago and there really only just establishing now from the last year or so an I think what helped is a box of rose 🌹 pellets sprinkled on the soil which added a feed of nutrients as it rained an they had a lot more flowers. Only about £2 and well worth it.👍🫡👌👌👌👌

[@GeorgesJungleGarden]

Thanks, hopefully they settle in well and you’re completely right, a good feeding regime will help them grow vigorously and hopefully flower better. I’ll be using blood fish and bone or a rise feed in a month and cover it with a layer of manure for slow release goodness 🤞