Josie Lewis: Choosing roses for perfume and performance - Episode 279

grow, cook, eat, arrange with Sarah Raven & friends

grow, cook, eat, arrange with Sarah Raven & friends
Josie Lewis: Choosing roses for perfume and performance - Episode 279
Jun 18, 2026 Episode 279
Sarah Raven

There are few flowers more quintessential than the rose, and it’s safe to say that there’s a perfect rose for everyone’s tastes. 

This week’s ‘grow, cook, eat, arrange’ delves into the world of roses, with someone whose love for a great rose knows no bounds: Josie Lewis.

Whether you’re looking for a rose with a particular colour to combine with the beauty of your existing garden, or you’re more pressed by scent and structure, we hear which are the absolute best roses to grow, and how best to tend to them for healthy, reliable growth.

In this episode, discover:

  • Which varieties of Roses are the standout performers for each colour group
  • The best ramblers, bloomers and climbers, from the huge, creamy white Wedding Day to the beautiful copper-brown Hot Chocolate
  • How to make your roses last in water for maximum vase life

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