I’ve been a hit-and-miss gardener for over 30 years and, while I succeeded in growing many things very well, I failed miserably with others. Trees such as red oaks, limes, beech and acers love it here. They shoot up in no time and stay strong and healthy. But give me a rose and it’s a different story entirely.

I tried growing a few roses when I moved to Limerick first but gave them up as a bad job. All that spraying, minding, dead-heading and pruning just wasn’t worth it. I did take on two climbing roses and both are reasonable performers but have no scent. What’s the point of growing any rose if it hasn’t a scent?

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Then a few years ago I was walking through the plant pavilion at Bloom when all of a sudden I picked up the faintest hint of a wonderful scent. I followed my nose and it led me to a gorgeous pink rose with a scent to die for. I inhaled deeply and was hooked.

My addiction turned out to be a David Austin rose named for the famous garden designer Gertrude Jekyll. I bought three and returned the following year for three more. So far, they have all survived and produce copious blooms from June onwards.

I take great care pruning them and it appears to work. They get a good dressing of farmyard manure at the end of the year. I pick off any leavers with blackspot and that seems to keep it at bay.

This summer with its heavy rain and strong winds didn’t suit them but they recovered well over the past few weeks. And I remain addicted to their scent – which makes all the work worthwhile.