We love for … - James Alexander-Sinclair

We love JunePHOTOs: alamy/peter andersoN; gpl/neil holmes, kalhoefer kelly; gap photos/mark bolton, fhf greenmediaPhiladelphus ‘Virginal’Angel handsThe scent of Philadelphus‘Virginal’ in high summer islike being massaged by a flockof soft-handed angels. Theperfume is slightly tangeriney –hence the name ‘mock orange’.DETAILS Grows to 3m so best in largergardens • Propagate from winter or summercuttings • Prune by one-third each yearLeptospermum scopariumBearded ladySimilar climates mean manyof our best plants come fromNew Zealand. Leptospermumscoparium is one. Each shrubhas more flowers than GrizzlyAdams had bristles. Spectacular.DETAILS Propagate from seed in autumn orsemi-ripe cuttings in summer • Needs gooddrainage and full sun • Grows to 3mWe love JuneRosa ‘William Lobb’Rosa ‘Fantin-Latour’Rosa ‘Cardinal de Richelieu’A roseis a roseA garden withoutroses is a bit like adoughnut without jam:seemingly sweet andfilling, but really a sad,empty shell. Roseshave inspiredthousands of poems,hundreds of songs andmillions of love-strucksouls (not somethingthat can be said of themarigold, which onlyinspired a washing-upglove). This is sucha vast family thateverybody can findroom for a rose, nomatter how limitedtheir space. Choosefrom huge ramblers totiny varieties designedto perk up a patio. Allroses have commonancestors and thesethree are from ancientand noble lines.Rosa ‘William Lobb’DETAILS A moss rose, so calledbecause of its mossy, scentedstem-growth • Floppy habit andshiny leaves • Grows to 1.8mRosa ‘Fantin-Latour’DETAILS A centifolia or‘cabbage’ rose with tight-packedpetals • Flowers just once a yearon the second year’s wood sotake care when pruning• Grows to 1.5mRosa ‘Cardinal deRichelieu’DETAILS A Gallica rose withball-shaped blooms • Makesa protective hedge with itsthorny stems • Grows to 1.2m20 www.gardenersworld.comJune 2008