The word coming through from trend spotters worldwide is that gardening is gaining popularity as a screen-free activity that brings us back to our senses… smell, touch, social connection and emotional well-being.

In October, roses thrill all the senses. The beauty of the blooms is overwhelming, whether it’s in the garden or snatched views of other people’s roses, even the roses blooming on traffic islands. At Ludwig’s Rose farm the thousands of blooms can be experienced by tractor-train rides through the rose fields or the Saturday Park Run through the roses.

What is it about roses that put us under their spell?

Every rose tells a story

Every rose has a name, and with that comes a personality, not to mention a lineage that stretches back through generations.  Through roses we remember. Roses that granny grew, that were part of our childhood, or roses reminding us of a beloved family member or friend no longer with us. Rose names can also express friendship and celebrations, or simply what is dear to us.

Sip and snip

Roses always provide an excuse for ‘me time’ in the garden. Combine that first cup of morning coffee with a walk among the roses, secateur in hand dead-heading spent blooms, or picking blooms for the home. Or it could be an evening wind-down and watering after a hot day.

If you are suffering from social media burnout, roses are the medicine.  The therapeutic aspect of gardening is well documented, and according to the 2027 Trends Report from the Garden Media Group, even Millennials, Gen X and Gen Z who grew up on social media are seeking its regenerative rewards.

Soft socialising

Roses not only get us into nature but help us make ‘soft’ connections. According to the Trend Report, people are seeking screen free activities, but “without the stress of having to ‘perform’ or make small talk”.

For rose gardeners there are seasonal rose care demo’s/ workshops, especially for beginners, flower arranging, tours to rose gardens organised by rose societies, rose shows and festivals around the country that draw rose lovers together. Because the activity is the focus, there is less social pressure and connections can develop over time.

Create Your Calm

Ritual is an important contributor to our sense of wellbeing, because it is about order, predictability and continuity. In its own way, growing roses has its own rituals, and regular care makes rose growing easy and rewarding.

This is what a rose year looks like:

September to April: fertilise once a month with a rose fertiliser (Vigorosa), water deeply once a week and spray for pests and fungus disease once or twice a month.

May to July: roses are going dormant, reduce watering, no need to spray. From mid-July, winter prune the roses.

August to September: support new spring growth with weekly deep watering, fertiliser and apply Koinor as a drench to provide protection against sucking insects for up to six months. Spread out flowering by finger pruning at the end of September.

Reset, and be inspired

Take a break from all the toxicity on social media by tapping into a worldwide network of non-toxic rose lovers. You can also go local by following local rose growers, like Ludwig Taschner on Facebook or through his monthly Talking Roses newsletter for practical advice and inspirational pictures of roses. As the world of roses opens up, there will be plenty of must see rose gardens to add to your bucket list.

Content by Ludwig’s Roses.

All images by Alice Coetzee.

For more on gardening, visit Get It Magazine.