Roses are simply perfect for public spaces. They are strong healthy plants that enhance the attractiveness of their surroundings by providing months of colour and fragrance. And they also contribute to biodiversity. In the right place, a low-maintenance planting of roses will flourish for years.

A uniquely long-lasting flowering period

Roses in public spaces will add colour to their location from May until at least the first ground frost. This long flowering period makes roses truly unique. They bloom in a wide range of colours: from white to purple, creamy yellow to fire engine red, and everything in between. And, since many roses have a delightful fragrance, passers-by can enjoy not only their beauty in a public space but also a nice little extra.

Biodiversity with roses in public spaces

Roses produce flowers rich in pollen. This is why roses with single and semi-double blooms are so often visited by beneficial insects such as honey bees, bumblebees and hoverflies. After flowering, many roses produce rose hips. These then become winter rations for thrushes and blackbirds while finches and other seed-eaters work at picking out the seeds from the rose hips. Their favourites are the Dog Rose (Rosa canina) and the Beach Rose (Rosa rugosa).

Strong healthy plants

Whether for flower beds, roundabouts, flower containers, walls or verges, there will always be a strong healthy rose variety suitable for the location. Upright rose bushes, for example, are the perfect choice for traditional rose beds, while modern shrub roses with wider habits can be used for either taller or low hedges. Certain cultivars bred from species roses are salt-tolerant and can be planted along roads. Finally, roses can be combined effectively with other shrubs, perennials and flower bulbs.

Rose facts

Roses need at least 4 hours of sunlight a day; the more sun, the better.
The type of soil doesn’t matter, as long as it is rich in nutrients, healthy and allows for good drainage.
Many roses are actually low-maintenance plants.
Most roses are drought-tolerant; providing water during dry periods is seldom necessary.

Roses in public spaces add colour and scent