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EDITOR'S BLOG

THE ENDURING VALUE OF ROSES IN OUR GREEN SPACES
Their contribution remains as relevant as ever
by TurfPro Editor, Laurence Gale MSC, MBPR

June marks the peak flowering period for many roses, offering a timely reminder of why these plants remain a cornerstone of planting schemes in parks, estates and other managed green spaces across the UK.

This year, exceptionally warm spring weather has helped develop and produce a fine display of flowers in our open spaces - and none more spectacular that our wonderful British rose varieties. The month of June provides the ideal opportunity to see them flowering at the best.

Roses are exceptionally popular in the UK because they sit at the intersection of climate suitability, gardening tradition, symbolism, and breeding history.
Regarding breeding roses, I am lucky that in Shropshire where I live, we are only a few miles away from one of the UK’s most prolific breeders of roses, David Austin Roses, in Albrighton.

His nursery is well worth a visit, with hundreds of varieties of roses to choose from. I generally try to visit most years. It is an amazing sight to see them all in full bloom.

Roses are now popular green space plant. I have myself bought several David Austin Roses that provide a vivid display in my garden every summer. Our UK climate suits roses very well, providing as it does moderate summer temperatures, adequate rainfall and cool winters that provide dormancy and relatively few periods of extreme heat.

Unlike Mediterranean climates where roses can suffer from prolonged drought, or very cold continental climates where winter damage can be severe, much of Britain offers a favourable balance.

From the Victorian era onwards, roses were a status symbol and a centerpiece of ornamental gardens. Large country estates, public parks, and cottage gardens all featured roses. By the late 19th and early 20th centuries, rose growing had become a major hobby, supported by specialist nurseries and rose societies.

The influence of organisations such as the Royal National Rose Society helped spread knowledge and enthusiasm for rose cultivation.

Roses are remarkably versatile. They can be grown as:

Shrub roses
Climbing roses
Rambling roses
Patio roses
Standard (tree-form) roses
Formal bedding displays

British horticulturalists have historically valued scented plants, and roses are among the most fragrant garden flowers. In British culture, roses have deep associations with love and romance, beauty, remembrance and have been used for national identity. The red rose is particularly associated with England through the Wars of the Roses, later becoming a widely recognised national floral emblem.

As for growing roses there are a few tips to ensure they establish well and thrive in your green spaces. The best conditions for planting roses depend on the type of rose and the season.

Roses need plenty of sunlight and perform best with at least 6 hours of direct sun per day, ideally morning sun, which helps dry dew from leaves. Roses need to be situated in good open positions with good air circulation.

They need to be planted in a well-drained fertile soil; roses dislike waterlogged roots. Preferred soils are loamy, sandy loam and some clay loam soils.
Roses prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil, ideally pH: 6.0–7.0. Most UK garden soils fall within an acceptable range.

You should bare-root roses from November to March (while plants are dormant). Try to avoid planting into frozen or waterlogged ground though. Container-grown roses can be planted almost any time of year, although autumn and spring remain best times for planting - and avoid planting during droughts or extreme heat.

When planting, dig a wide hole rather than a narrow deep one. Incorporate well-rotted compost or organic matter and break up any compacted soil.
The recommended planting distances for bush roses 60-90 cm, for English Shrub roses 90-150 cm, for climbing roses 2-4 m, and ramblers 3-6m.

As for watering, during planting and establishment water deeply rather than little and often. A newly planted rose should focus on root development first.

Ideal UK rose planting recipe

For a typical green space in southern or central Britain:

Choose a sunny site (6+ hours direct sun).
Plant bare-root roses between November and March.
Dig a hole about twice the width of the root system.
Add compost or well-rotted manure to the surrounding soil.
Position the graft union just at or slightly below soil level.
Firm the soil gently.
Water thoroughly.
Apply a mulch, keeping it away from the stem.

Under these conditions, many modern roses can thrive for decades and produce abundant blooms from late spring through autumn.

NEWS

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INDUSTRY SUPPORTS CHARITY FOOTBALL TOURNAMENT
Held at Fulham FC's training ground

Perennial Kick for a Cause 2026 charity football tournament

In our first WEB ONLY story, the event brought together teams from across the horticulture and landscaping sectors to raise funds and awareness for Perennial.

HAMILTON RACECOURSE TARGETS YEAR-ROUND TURF PERFORMANCE
Maintenance programme implemented

Head groundsman Prentis Russell, has worked with a supplier to develop a nutrition programme tailored to the venue's clay-based soil profile and demanding race schedule.

Hamilton Park Racecourse have said they are using a structured fertiliser programme from Agrovista Amenity to help maintain turf quality across its racing surface throughout the year.

Head groundsman Prentis Russell, who joined Hamilton Park eight months ago after spending 11 years at Ayr Racecourse, has worked with the supplier's technical sales manager Stewart Carbray to develop a nutrition programme tailored to the venue's clay-based soil profile and demanding race schedule.

Hamilton stages 18 fixtures between May and September, with the track featuring multiple start positions and an uphill finish that place varying demands on the turf.

The programme includes products from Agrovista's Absolute Premier and Evolution Naturelle ranges. Spring and summer applications feature Absolute Premier 12-6-6 and Absolute Premier 20-10-10 fertilisers, while Evolution Naturelle Sport Autumn 7-0-21 is used later in the season to support turf health through winter.

Prentis said the products had delivered strong turf coverage and consistent growth, while the autumn application had helped maintain grass quality and colour through the colder months.

In addition to fertiliser supply, Russell highlighted the technical support provided by Agrovista, including advice on nutrition, seed and turf management.

The racecourse's grounds team is responsible for maintaining not only the racing surface but also surrounding grounds and facilities, making reliable products and technical guidance important elements of the overall maintenance programme.

CLUB TURNS TO AUTONOMOUS MOWERS
To boost fairway efficiency

St Ives (Hunts) Golf Club course manager Rob Duff, centre, with Julian Copping, left, and Lee Rowbotham of Reesink

Golf club says they are now using autonomous mowers as part of a wider strategy to improve efficiency, increase mowing frequency and support long-term sustainability goals.

St Ives (Hunts) Golf Club in Cambridgeshire say they have introduced five Toro Turf Pro 500 autonomous mowers as part of a wider strategy to improve efficiency, increase mowing frequency and support long-term sustainability goals.

St Ives (Hunts) Golf Club course manager Rob Duff, centre, with Julian Copping, left, and Lee Rowbotham both from Reesink Turfcare

The investment marks a shift in fairway maintenance for the club, enabling continuous mowing throughout the week without the same reliance on daily staff-led operations.

Course manager Rob Duff said the technology allows the team to maintain consistent playing surfaces while easing pressure on routine workloads.

“We wanted to increase mowing frequency while maintaining consistent quality, but routine fairway mowing can be costly and time-consuming,” he said. “This gives us a smarter, more efficient way to maintain standards while managing workloads and keeping costs under control for members.”

The autonomous units operate seven days a week, including overnight, meaning fairways are already cut by the time staff arrive on site each morning. This has freed up time for the greenkeeping team to focus on other priority areas, particularly during peak growth periods.

Alongside fairways, the club is also exploring wider applications for the technology, including clubhouse lawns and early-stage rough maintenance. The installation was completed in three days with support from Toro distributor Reesink Turfcare. Rob Duff said setup and programming were straightforward, with staff quickly adapting to the system.

Sustainability is also a key driver behind the move say the club, with solar panels on site used to charge the mowers, reducing both energy costs and emissions.

PARTNERSHIP PRAISED
Stands the test of time

A decades-long dealer partnership underpins Glasgow Academy grounds operation with contining maintenance support the maintenance for the school's busy sports facilities.

Kubota tractors have been playing a key role in grounds maintenance at The Glasgow Academy for more than 30 years, with head groundsman Robert Cheape praising both the machines’ reliability and the support provided by dealer Hamilton Ross Group.

Founded in 1845, The Glasgow Academy is Glasgow’s oldest continuously independent school and caters for around 1,700 pupils. Its extensive sports facilities host rugby, hockey, cricket, tennis and athletics, with pitches used daily by both students and Glasgow Accies Sports Club.

Robert, who joined the school in 1985, works alongside a six-strong grounds team to maintain the natural and artificial playing surfaces. He says dependable equipment is essential to cope with the demands placed on the grounds throughout the year.

The Academy’s Kubota fleet includes a B1550 dating from the early 1990s, a B2650 and, most recently, an L2622 tractor delivered in August 2025. The fleet also includes a RTV-X1110 utility vehicle.

According to Robert, the longevity of the older machines demonstrates the brand’s durability, while newer models have delivered improvements in operator comfort and productivity.

Robert also highlighted the long-standing relationship with Hamilton Ross Group, noting that the dealership has supported the school for decades through servicing, advice and ongoing backup.

He said the combination of reliable machinery and strong dealer support has been central to the success of the grounds operation, adding that he would not consider using another tractor brand.

DEALERSHIP GROUP RAISES £308,000
For Dementia UK

James Thurlow presenting a cheque to Sarah Child and Caroline Scates of Dementia UK

Company more than doubles the £150,000 target it set at the start of 2025 as part of its 150th anniversary celebrations.

Thurlow Nunn Standen (TNS), alongside the wider Thurlow Nunn Group, has announced it raised £308,000 for Dementia UK, more than doubling the £150,000 target it set at the start of 2025 as part of its 150th anniversary celebrations.

Chairman James Thurlow presenting the £308,000 cheque to Sarah Child and Caroline Scates of Dementia UK

The company say final total marks an extraordinary achievement for themselves and reflects the generosity and commitment of colleagues, customers, suppliers, friends and family across the region.

TNS is part of the Thurlow Nunn Group, which traces its roots to 1875, when George Thurlow, the great-great-grandfather of current chairman James Thurlow, founded the business in Stowmarket, Suffolk. Family-owned for six generations, the Group has grown to operate from 20 sites, including 13 Thurlow Nunn car dealerships across East Anglia, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Northamptonshire.

Today, TNS machinery dealers operate from five branches in Suffolk, Norfolk and Cambridgeshire. As a mainline AGCO dealer, TNS holds franchises for Fendt, Massey Ferguson and Valtra tractors, alongside a wide range of complementary brands including Manitou, Kubota, Amazone, Claydon Drills and Major Equipment.

The 150th anniversary year was dedicated to the memory of former Chairman John Thurlow, a well-known figure in the East Anglian farming community, who passed away from dementia in June 2024. The fundraising campaign brought together teams from across the business and wider Thurlow Nunn Group through a programme of events, including bake sales, river rows, site open events, charity dinners, raffles, race nights, skydives, half marathons, bike rides, walks and the family Christmas ball.

TNS Melton team completed the River Deben Challenge, raising £31,543 in aid of Dementia UK, June 2025

James Thurlow, chairman of the Thurlow Nunn Group, said, “I am delighted to announce that, after a year and a half of fundraising, we presented a cheque for £308,000 to Dementia UK. We cannot thank our colleagues, friends, family, suppliers and customers enough for the way they have pulled together behind this wonderful charity. This achievement belongs to every single person who contributed. Not in my wildest dreams did I imagine we would so far exceed our £150,000 target, yet everyone involved proved what can be achieved through passion, generosity and determination.

"This money will make a genuine difference to people’s lives, helping to support the development of Dementia UK’s specialist nursing function, the Admiral Nurses, throughout East Anglia.”

The fundraising campaign officially concluded on Wednesday, 27 May at the Suffolk Show, where TNS presented the final cheque to Caroline Scates, director of Nursing Services for Dementia UK, and Sarah Child, community fundraising manager of Dementia UK, in front of suppliers, contributors, colleagues and members of the Thurlow family.

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