Honest review: Julia Child is rewarding but aphid infestations on new growth is real

Julia Child is a genuinely satisfying plant to grow, but I want to be upfront about one thing: aphid infestations on new growth. I've dealt with it twice now and it takes consistent attention to manage.

Beyond that, repeat-flowering over a long season makes it one of my favourites in the collection. I keep it in a large terracotta pot on a sunny patio which suits it well. Learning about applying rose-specific granular fertiliser in early spring has been essential. peak flowering through midsummer is worth waiting for — the plant really justifies itself then. Four stars because of that persistent issue.