We have planted 3 species of rambling roses on our site. They are:

• Burnet Rose (Rosa pimpinellifolia/spinosissima)
• Field Rose   (Rosa arvensis)
• Briar Rose   (Rosa rubiginosa)

They grow very easily from hardwood cuttings and we have planted a large number along the ride edges. They provide a good source of nectar for bees and, in extreme conditions, food for the birds: although the rosehips always seem the last to be eaten. The biggest bushes also provide good cover for ground-nesting birds.

They all have abundant flowers during May and June and turn our paths and rides into a reasonable semblance of the rhododendron avenues at country estates.

The original idea was to leave them unmanaged and to let them wander were they would. Unfortunately, they wanted to wander among the Hazel, causing bent, forked and chafed stems. Furthermore rambling roses, like bramble, will root wherever the growing tip touches the ground.

Because of these problems, I now cut the rose bushes back to 2'-3' in height during every coppice cycle.