Hopton Rose Garden

July is the second time in the year that the gardens at Hopton Hall open to the public; the first is in February for snowdrops, this occasion for the magnificent roses.

Set on a south-facing slope, the garden acts as a suntrap which along with its Italianate styling gives the impression of being somewhere warmer than the Peak District. 

Not all the roses are in full bloom at once, so mid-month is the best way to catch most of them, though a second visit would be worthwhile.

I wouldn't say I'm come late to loving roses but a garden like this makes me realise how much was missing from my parents' garden of formal beds of roses underplanted with lobelia and alysum.

I don't have space to add this many roses to my garden but I'd love to.