Rosa ‘Fru Dagmar Hastrup’

Charming, clove-scented, single, light pink flowers from July to September, followed by tomato-shaped, dark red autumn hips, and leathery, mid-green leaves. This sturdy, Rogosa-style, repeat-flowering shrub rose is one of the best disease-resistant varieties. Its spreading habit makes an excellent informal hedge for an open, sunny site with fertile, moist but well-drained soil.

All our roses are field grown and dug up and potted in October or November. However, they will not produce any new roots until spring, so don’t be surprised if the compost falls away from the roots when winter planting. Some suppliers send out ‘bare root’ plants unpotted, but we pot ours up as it helps to keep the roots hydrated and in good condition.

Garden care: Before planting shorten thick roots to 25cm (10in) and reduce top growth to an outward-facing bud 8-15cm (3-6in) above ground level. Plant during a frost-free spell, incorporating well-rotted organic matter and a balanced fertiliser into the planting hole. Ensure that the ‘bud union’ (the bulge at the base of the shoots) is at soil level.