Tips for trouble-free roses

* Choose disease-resistant varieties and give them a sunny position that gets at least four or five hours of sun per day.

* Prepare the soil well when planting by adding plenty of well-rotted manure or garden compost.

* Soak the roots of bare-root roses before planting for several hours in a bucket, and also soak containerised roses for an hour or two.

* Make sure the bud union is 7-10cm (3-4in) below ground level.

* Water frequently, especially in dry weather, to help prevent mildew.

* Feed with an organically based fertiliser twice a year, once in late June or early July, then again in late March or early April.

* Do not apply fertiliser after the end of July; it will promote soft growth thats susceptible to pests, disease and frost damage.

* Mulch with organic matter every spring after fertilising. This barrier will prevent fungal black-spot spores from infecting young leaves and help to conserve moisture.

* Plant roses among non-invasive herbaceous plants and annuals. Their flowers will attract lacewings and hoverflies the larvae of which eat greenfly.

* Prune roses between late December and early February to encourage healthy new growth.

Rose expert Michael Marriott works for David Austen Roses.