Multicolours

Of all the trees and bushes with colourful autumn foliage in our garden it is got to be the traditional Midsummer rose (Rosa pimpinellifolia ‘Plena’) that wins in beauty, at least at close range.

This shrub rose if often considered a bit of a nuisance because it spreads so easily that it’s hard to control and is very thorny but not that disease resistant. What’s more, the blooming only lasts for a couple of weeks in early summer.

Nevertheless, if you can take all the pruning, rooting out and insect control you will be rewarded with some fabulous multicoloured foliage. All the brilliant autumn hues from green and yellow to orange and purple will be showing at the same time, sometimes even on a single leaf.

We have some Midsummer roses spreading between the lilacs and the steps to the porch. I also transplanted a few roots at the end of the barn when they had to be moved out of the way once we had a rainwater drainage job done. Their autumn brilliance tends to last longer than that of the other plants. Aren’t I lucky we are still living under the travel ban my man issued almost a year ago? Now I’m able to enjoy the autumn colours in full, unlike most Octobers. The Mediterranean will have to wait.

To see how these roses were in early June click here.