Three things I wish someone had told me before growing Mr. Lincoln

After growing Mr. Lincoln for over a year here is what I'd tell a beginner.

First: applying rose-specific granular fertiliser in early spring is not optional — it's the foundation everything else depends on. Second: black spot fungal disease on the leaves will happen and you should know how to handle it before it does. Third: a trellis or pergola for climbing varieties genuinely matters — the right position unlocks strong disease-resistant root stock in a way a poor position never will. first flush of blooms in late spring is the payoff for getting all of this right. It's worth every bit of effort.