Roses are a staple in many gardens, bringing both beauty and fragrance. At David Austin^® Roses, we know how these versatile blooms can change the feel of your outdoor space. Choosing the right roses can enhance any garden, whether you're working on a traditional design, adding life to a shaded corner, or just enjoying the vibrant colours and scents they provide.

Here’s how to make the most of this planting season, with expert advice from garden designer Pollyanna Wilkinson on choosing and planting bare root roses.

Bringing life to shady corners

Not every part of the garden gets full sunlight, but that doesn’t mean those areas can’t be beautiful. For shaded corners that receive four hours of sunlight or more, Pollyanna recommends Olivia Rose Austin^® (Ausmixture), a shrub rose that thrives in less light. “Its soft pink blooms bring grace and beauty to even the gloomiest spots, and its long flowering season means it often blooms until the first frosts,” she says.

Adding vertical interest

Climbing roses are a perfect way to introduce height and elegance to your garden. The Generous Gardener^® (Ausdrawn) is a great choice for trellises, fences, or walls. “It’s perfect for decorating pergolas, fences, or walls, and its gentle fragrance and pollinator-friendly blooms bring an extra dimension to your space,” Pollyanna explains.

Filling Your Garden with Fragrance

Fragrance is one of the joys of a garden. Pollyanna highlights Bring Me Sunshine^® (Ausernie) as an ideal fragrant rose. “Its vibrant yellow blooms and nostalgic, sweet fragrance make it a delightful addition to any garden.”

Creating cohesion with cluster planting

To create a lush, abundant display, consider planting shrub roses in groups of three or five. This technique not only enhances the visual appeal of your garden but also attracts pollinators, helping create a vibrant, sustainable space.

Tips for a polished garden design

For a garden that feels cohesive and elegant, it’s important to work with a harmonious colour palette. As Pollyanna advises, “Roses offer such a beautiful spectrum, but to avoid a patchy look, I suggest choosing 3–5 varieties in complementary tones. This keeps the garden feeling balanced and refined.”

Read our blog on The benefits of planting roses in three and fives.

Layering roses with perennials and evergreens creates depth and visual interest throughout the year. Perennials can complement the roses’ colours and forms, while evergreens provide structure and texture during the colder months.

Bare root season is the ideal time to start planning your garden and planting for the future. With our range of exceptional roses you can create a garden that thrives throughout the seasons.
Explore our full range of bare root roses and discover more ideas to bring every corner of your garden to life.

For more inspiration, visit Pollyanna’s Instagram reel for additional tips on designing with roses.