June is the month when roses come into their own and we believe that growing roses in the north is not about battling the elements but about working with them.
By selecting resilient varieties and planting them thoughtfully, gardeners can enjoy beautiful, healthy roses that stand proudly through a typical northern summer. In fact, many of the roses that thrive here embody the heritage gardening traditions that have long shaped our county’s gardens.
The beauty of English Roses
English roses are iconic for their beauty, charm, and long flowering period. For many years, we have worked closely with arguably the most prolific breeder and grower, David Austin Roses. These English roses have all the charm of old garden roses, with the repeat flowering and reliability of modern breeding.
Gardeners often find that these roses establish quickly and grow into strong, rounded shrubs. Their natural shape also suits the relaxed, cottage planting schemes that have long been part of Cumbrian gardening.
Placed in mixed borders alongside perennials – such as the hardy geraniums, foxgloves or nepeta we grow at nursery – they create the sort of layered planting that looks at home in both rural gardens and more formal settings.
Roses and the northern climate
Roses have long held a special place in the gardens of rural villages and towns all over Cumbria. Many gardeners can recall a rose grown by a parent or grandparent, and lots of gardens across the region feature a rose plant passed down through generations, still coming into bloom each June.
Gardening in Cumbria often means learning to embrace unpredictability. Unexpected showers and gusty winds can challenge more delicate plants. Roses, however, are far tougher than their romantic reputation suggests. In fact, our northern conditions often bring a hidden advantage: cooler temperatures can help blooms last longer, preserving their colour and form.
Many modern shrub and English roses have been bred specifically for strength, disease resistance, and repeat flowering. These varieties prove wonderfully resilient even in exposed locations. For example, the shrub rose, Olivia Rose Austin, is hugely popular. It is entirely free of disease as far as we can tell and produces its beautiful cupped rosettes exceptionally early in the season, allowing it to bloom three times annually.
Choosing resilient varieties
Shrub roses are among the most dependable for a northern garden. Roald Dahl is a popular choice, as the delicate blooms are robust enough to withstand the most inclement weather, with the colouring bringing to mind the eponymous peach in the author’s James and the Giant Peach.
Climbing roses can also perform beautifully, particularly when planted against a warm wall or sturdy arch. They can produce breathtaking displays, turning a garden structure into a cascade of colour and scent. As the name suggests, The Generous Gardener will produce an abundance of blooms and can grow up to 15ft in height.
Rose care tips
Roses are not overly discerning when it comes to soil type. The most important factor is that the soil is well-drained. They enjoy a good feed from a dedicated rose fertiliser, and we recommend feeding in spring or summer, but not both. If fertilising in spring, feed, then add a layer of organic mulch such as rotted manure. If you prefer to feed in summer, which container-grown roses seem to love, then feed roses every fortnight.
Our plant manager’s top tip: ‘Roses are a lot easier to look after than people think. They just need some routine care. Prune once a year, spray once a fortnight, and deadhead (with vigour!) when needed. By following these simple steps, you will be rewarded with a repeat flowering rose, blooming from May to October. There are very few plants that would give you such a long flowering season in the garden.’
New for 2026
David Austin Roses launches a new variety each year and many honour individuals, such as 2024’s ‘Emma Bridgewater’ or the ever-popular ‘Princess Anne’. Others are named after literary characters, historical events, and places of interest.
Each new variety always causes a stir when it debuts at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Last year, we were introduced to The King’s Rose® – a beautiful painted rose in honour of our sovereign – and a generous donation was made to the King’s Foundation for each sale.
Usually, the details of the new rose are kept secret until the show begins, but this year, the secret is out early, and 2026’s new rose will be the Sir David Beckham™.
Described on their website as ‘an English shrub rose with family at its heart’, we’ve been teased with an image of a single white rose petal.
In the last two years, we’ve been honoured to be one of the lucky few garden centres selected by David Austin Roses to carry stock of their brand-new rose. We are delighted to be expecting a limited supply of the hotly anticipated Sir David Beckham™, as well as more stock of The King’s Rose, which has been highly sought after since its launch.
Rest assured, Beetham Nurseries will be at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show on press day, bringing news of this rose and more to you!
Join us for Rose Day
For those who share our love of roses, one of the highlights of the gardening calendar at Beetham Nurseries is our annual Rose Day, taking place this year on Saturday, June 27.
The free talk by David Austin Roses is a wonderful opportunity to explore their wide variety of English roses.
Our team will be on hand throughout the day to offer advice on choosing the right rose for your garden, from robust shrub roses for windy borders to elegant climbers perfect for arches and walls.
Visitors can also learn more about planting, pruning, and caring for roses so that they continue to thrive year after year.
Whether you are planting your first rose or adding to a well-established collection, there is always something new to discover.
BEETHAM NURSERIES
Pool Darkin Lane, Beetham, LA7 7AP
T: 015395 63630
W: beethamnurseries.co.uk
E: enquiries@beethamnurseries.co.uk
@beethamnurseries
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