The great British love affair with the rose

They may seem old-fashioned; they might be prone to a host of pests and diseases; and for several months of the year they may be nothing more than a skeleton of bare, spiked sticks.

But we love them.

And we plant them in their millions. And whether or not you plant in the autumn, when the soil is warm and accommodating, or wait until the following spring, if you want beautiful roses preparation is the key to success.

Dig a reasonable hole, throw in a good measure of well-rotted manure and a handful of bonemeal, and then get your rose.

If it comes in a pot, tease it from its container and spread out its roots in the hole. If it comes barerooted, prune any damaged ones and then stand the plant in water for a few hours before planting.

Throw in the soil, firm it down to make sure all the air is squeezed out, water well and retire.

Pruning established roses is best done just as the sap starts to rise. The idea is to get rid of any damaged wood and old flower-heads, and to encourage fresh growth.

Some varieties appreciate harsh pruning while others require merely the lightest touch with a pair of sharp secateurs.

When you have finished, apply a handful of bonemeal around the base of the plant and finish off with a hefty mulch of old compost or rotted manure.

Dead-heading during the flowering season can encourage a second blooming, so it's always worth putting in the extra effort.