Climbing rose

One of the few roses to thrive in a shady north-facing position, 'Souvenir du Docteur Jamain' is well-worth tracking down. Its rich claret-coloured blooms are seen at their best when grown in shade as in the sun they quickly fade. The main flush of flowers appears in early summer but it is followed by smaller bursts of bloom throughout the season. The plant is compact and well-behaved. Tie the main stems to horizontal wires and prune back the stems that have flowered to within a few buds of this permanent framework as soon as flowering finishes. Avoid overfeeding as this can encourage lush leafy growth to be produced at the expense of flowers.