Roses, as in flowers, are lovely but I've alway tried to avoid planting them in the garden as I'm wary of the thorns, the pruning  and generally looking after them.

This is partly because when Mum died my sister and I each planted a rose in identical pots and while hers thrived, mine died off within a couple of years.

So, when the 'free gift ' which came with my last garden order turned out to be two rose bushes I was not overjoyed. They stayed (unwrapped) in the carton while I put in the rest of the plants. Eventually Bear said,

"Do you want to keep those twigs in the box or should I throw them out?"

With a twinge of guilt I took them outside, dug a couple of holes and gave them a home.

Today, M. Jacquet came to help out.

"What's that you've planted there?" he inquired.

"It's a rose bush".

"Well, did you really mean to leave the roots sticking out of the ground?" he asked with a grin.

I admit I'm a crap gardener.