June is undoubtedly the month of the rose at Capel Manor Gardens. As one of Britain’s best-loved flowers, roses are at their spectacular best throughout the gardens, filling borders, archways and walls with vibrant colour and beautiful fragrance. Whether you are a keen gardener or simply enjoy a leisurely stroll, there is no better time to experience our wonderful collection.
This year has been an unusual one for our roses. Following an exceptionally warm and dry spring, many varieties burst into flower almost a month earlier than expected, with blooms appearing in late April rather than their usual late May arrival. As a result, our gardeners are already enjoying a second flush of flowers in many areas of the gardens. Even more remarkably, last winter’s exceptionally mild weather meant some roses continued flowering right through to December – a rare sight that highlights just how much our changing climate can influence the gardening calendar.
Our impressive rose collection is largely thanks to former Head Gardener Julie Dowbiggins, who spent many years carefully selecting and planting roses throughout the gardens. Julie believes there are now more than 50 different varieties growing here, creating a diverse display of colours, fragrances and flower forms that continues to delight visitors year after year.
Roses can be found throughout all 30 acres of Capel Manor Gardens, meaning you will encounter beautiful displays wherever your walk takes you. Some of the finest collections can be found in the Walled Garden and the Princess Diana Garden, while the Sensory Garden and the 17th Century Garden also provide spectacular displays throughout June. Each garden showcases roses in a different setting, demonstrating just how versatile these iconic plants can be within the landscape.
One of the best places to admire our roses is the Princess Diana Garden, where several outstanding varieties are currently in bloom. Look out for the elegant ‘Spencer’, the rich crimson ‘Royal William’ and the beautifully scented ‘Highgrove’, each offering its own unique character and charm. Roses have been cultivated for over 5,000 years and today there are thought to be more than 30,000 named cultivated varieties across the world, making them one of the most diverse ornamental plants grown in gardens.
The Walled Garden is another must-visit destination this month. Alongside its colourful rose borders, be sure not to miss our magnificent climbing rose, Rosa banksiae. This vigorous climber has transformed an entire section of wall into a breathtaking cascade of delicate blooms. Unlike many traditional roses, Rosa banksiae is almost thornless, making it a favourite for covering walls, pergolas and arches. It is also one of the earliest flowering roses, helping to herald the arrival of late spring each year.
Our roses also make a stunning backdrop in the 17th Century Garden, which is our most popular location for wedding ceremonies. Throughout June, the colourful blooms frame the historic setting beautifully, creating a romantic atmosphere and providing countless opportunities for breathtaking wedding photographs. It is easy to see why so many couples choose this part of the gardens to celebrate their special day, with the roses adding colour, fragrance and timeless elegance to every celebration.
Beyond their beauty, roses are also incredibly valuable for wildlife. Their open flowers provide nectar and pollen for bees, hoverflies and other pollinating insects, while many varieties later produce colourful rose hips, an important food source for birds during autumn and winter. Whether you are visiting for inspiration, photography or simply to enjoy the scents of early summer, June is the perfect time to discover why roses remain the undisputed stars of Capel Manor Gardens.
