This idea came as a result of a visit to an extraordinary village in France during 2023. Have a look at the link (in French, but you can either practise your language skills or mute it!).
There are also some pictures here which will give you a sense of what has been created.
Having spent some time on a truly hot afternoon in the village, just days after their rose festival finished, the inspirational vistas were something which struck a chord and I thought we could offer something similar on our site.
We had already teamed up with Eastcroft Roses because they had supplied the roses which were used on the ‘windsock area’: this has been a successful piece of camouflage and has masked some IBCs with one variety of rose (‘The Simple Life’) and underplanting of salvias which were our own cuttings.
Eastcroft Roses generously gave us an impressive discount on the 72 roses we eventually bought and they arrived in November 2023. They have been given to all members who wanted one and the idea has been to have them planted on the approach to plots and on the edge of plots themselves so that their colour and scent can be enjoyed by all.
Update: December 2024
All of the roses which were planted look healthy and all have flowered in their first season. The project is, of course, a long term effort and there are various structures which need to be put in place to support the climbing roses, but some interesting and original ideas have already appeared. This winter we have put in a few more climbing roses at key points – where they will make a visual impact.