Wildlife value of Queen Elizabeth — an unexpected bonus

I planted Queen Elizabeth primarily for ornamental reasons. What I didn't anticipate was the wildlife it would attract. repeat-flowering over a long season seems to be particularly appealing to bees and butterflies during the main growing period.

I grow it in a cottage garden mixed planting with lavender which allows me to watch the activity up close. first flush of blooms in late spring is the most active period for wildlife visits. pruning to an outward-facing bud at a 45-degree angle is important for keeping the plant healthy enough to flower well and provide that value. rose dieback from hard winter frosts is the thing to watch — it reduces flowering and therefore wildlife visits if left unchecked. A plant that earns its place twice over.