Roses are an excellent addition to attractive and varied greenery in public parks. Passers-by will enjoy the flowers' colours and scents for many months, with rose hips as an autumn bonus. Because roses increase biodiversity, insects and birds will also reap the benefits.

Social cohesion

Parks invite people to stroll, exercise, picnic or just relax. Several studies have shown the positive impact of public parks on the health of local residents, adults and children alike. Parks encourage low-threshold encounters between local residents, thereby promoting social cohesion in neighbourhoods.

Biodiversity and climate-proof

Roses are suitable for park planting because of their high ornamental value, but they also have the great benefit of being climate-proof. They will still thrive during hot and dry summers. Watering is only necessary for new plantings and in case of extremely long drought periods. With their easily accessible pollen, rose flowers with open and semi-double hearts attract insects from May into autumn including honeybees, bumblebees and hover flies. The rose hips are a good source of food for a variety of birds in autumn.

Practical

• Location: Most rose varieties require at least four hours of sun a day; the sunnier, the better. Any soil type is suitable, provided it is well-drained, healthy and rich in nutrients. If the soil is on the dry side, add a mulch layer of organic material (for example, leaf or compost) of about 5 cm.
• Planting season: October to April for bare-root roses, and throughout the year for potted roses, provided that the soil is not frozen. In October and November, the roses will take root optimally because the soil is still warm.
• Planting distance: on average four to five bushes per m2. Planted at the correct distance, they will soon start to cover the soil and suppress weeds.

Also interesting:
The advantages of modern shrub roses
Roses in the city more than just flowering shrubs
New rosa rugosa varieties perfect for public spaces