June's plant of the month is the rose, and this elegant and much-loved beauty needs little introduction: it's well known for being Britain's favourite flower, and 49% of our gardens have at least one.
What's less widely known is how versatile they can be. There's a rose for every situation and every type of garden. If you like gardening for wildlife, there are simple, natural-looking roses like Rosa spinosissima or the sweetbriars like Eglanteria.
Roses mix beautifully with other plants – try them among grasses or with a froth of catmint (Nepeta) at their feet. And if space is limited, try low-growing patio roses, reaching little more than 60cm tall. Rambling and climbing roses are also great for hiding eyesores: the huge but heartbreakingly beautiful 'Kiftsgate' rambler will smother quite large buildings in a froth of scented white flowers all summer.
With modern breeding, you no longer have to cosset your roses, either. Look out for the name 'English rose' at your favourite garden centre and you'll find a disease resistant, robust shrub bred for repeat flowering and plenty of scent. That makes them remarkably easy to grow: just give them a sunny spot for maximum flower power, a reasonably well-drained soil and a quick prune once a year to keep them in shape.
