David Austin vs Poundstretcher

Hmmm. I'll have to take a rain check on this @Verdun. My roses are 300 miles away in my last garden. I move to my new garden on Friday - currently without any.

Yes I agree, roses aren't the prettiest of plants in winter but they are only part of what our gardens hold. Mine were in their own bed without other plants but there is no reason why they can't be under-planted. Lavender is a good option but even this doesn't look so good in winter. Roses are generally pruned late winter, usually February time and to the rose lover there's nothing better than seeing this nice tidy rose bed waiting to burst into life. It may be lifeless as you say but it's probably the tidiest bed in the garden throughout winter and no tending needed.

 

Ha ha Sheal I understand a tidy bed over winter too.....most of my veg patch will be clean and mulched until early spring and I like to see that.
Enjoy your new garden....sounds exciting

 

I have a few conifers in my garden to add structure and shape during the winter months. Along with trees and evergreen shrubs they are the bones of my garden but very much a support act for the true stars - the flowers.
Imho the most beautiful flowers are the ones that flower fleetingly. It may be an headily perfumed shrub rose, cherry blossom or magnolia flowers - they may not pay their rent in the borders by flowering over a long period but they give so much pleasure while they take centre stage.

 

Thank you Verdun. I wouldn't say exciting just yet as it's pretty much a blank canvass. Pictures on my thread below.....

New abode

 

Checked it out Sheal.......lovely setting

 

Thanks Verdun.