'What's in a name? That which we call a rose by any other name would smell as sweet'. When William Shakespeare wrote these immortal words in Romeo and Juliet, he suggested that all roses were the same (in respect of their sweet smell, at least). Indeed, in Shakespeare's day, perhaps most roses were the same, or similar. But he wasn't to know that over 400 years of selection and breeding of roses by horticulturalists would result in a stunning explosion of roses in many colours, shapes and scents. But in the pursuit of beauty, insect visitors of roses have been largely forgotten. Many varieties of rose are now off-limits for bumblebees and other insects, but why?

Throughout most of the winter, I’ve been away from the garden. Apart from the occasional tidy-up, there really hasn't been much to do.

But with spring on the way, it’s time to get ready for another spurt of activity. Sometimes I find springtime simply too busy though. Before you know it, you’re trying to stay on top of the weeding, as well as trying to sow seeds and tend batches of seedlings (pricking out, watering and protecting them from slugs and snails can be a full-time occupation if you have enough seedlings!)