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Roses have a long and fascinating history, appearing in ancient frescos, medieval documents and colonial tales.

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The Old Roses which Carol Klein explores at Coughton Court are usually defined as those which were introduced to gardens before the end of the 19th century. These include gorgeous Gallicas, Albas, Centifolias, Damasks, Moss, Portlands and Bourbons.

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As Carol describes, the arrival of numerous Chinese imports during the 19th century allowed for huge developments in rose breeding. From this came the creation of modern roses such as the Hybrid Tea and Floribunda.

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‘The Pilgrim’ which Monty plants is a shrub rose, bred by David Austin in 1991. Modern shrub roses like this are the result of breeding to produce plants which combine the vigour and repeat-flowering capacity of the Hybrid Tea with the romantic flower form and shrubby habit of the Old Roses.

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The asparagus in the Cottage Garden at Longmeadow is still not looking as vigorous as it should after its third growing season. Back in August Monty asked if viewers had similar problems. Many thanks to everyone who replied and congratulations to those who are having better success!

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Monty was encouraged to learn that many of you have also made slow progress in the last two or three years, especially when growing on clay soils which get wet and cold. Like you, he thinks it is just the weather and hopes for better things in the near future.

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Now is the time to cut back stems as they die down and give them a good layer of mulch. Many thanks to those who advised on different mulching materials; Monty used compost but well-rotted manure, mushroom compost and seaweed (wherever it’s available) are also recommended.

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Coughton Court

Alcester

Warwickshire

B49 5JA

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The award-winning Rose Labyrinth at Coughton Court was designed by Christina Williams as a gift to her mother, Clare McLaren-Throckmorton, the present owner of Coughton Court. The Labyrinth and the surrounding gardens at Coughton Court are open on weekends and some weekdays throughout spring, summer and autumn.

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For detailed information, check the webpage

We probably all have too many packets of seed that are either past their sow by date or been opened and left half used for more than a year. It’s a good idea to go through these seeds and ruthlessly sort them out. Any that are more than a year past their sow by date should be discarded and if you have far too many of one type you know what not to order next year.

Artichokes (and other Mediterranean-climate perennials such as agapanthus) are hardy as long as they don’t get wet and cold. A generous mulch, using a dry material such as straw, will help protect against this. Pack it around the plants and check it every month or so; if it gets too wet, replace it with fresh material.

The leaves are streaming off the trees now and it’s worth making good use of them. Rake them up (and if you can chop them by mowing over them, so much the better). Store them in a loose, open-sided container. Make sure they’re damp and leave them for at least a year. They will turn into lovely leafmould which is a superb addition to potting compost as well as a useful mulch.

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