The record sunshine in May has given us our best ever show of roses.
Graham Thomas (yellow) has been in for three or four years and is – at last – putting on more than just a few blooms. I’m very fond of Crown Princess Margareta (apricot-orange), seen here with lupin terracotta.
Claire Austin is as reliable as ever along the fencing but we don’t think we have ever seen her so beautiful; most summers a few blooms can go brown if there is too much and sustained rain. No fear of that in May 2020.

Munstead Wood (deep crimson) has such a rich colour and a lovely scent, but at the moment the major fragrance wafting round the garden is the bubble gum scent of various philadelphus.
But if you want froth, how about this crambe?
