June and July are a great time for seeing wild roses whilst out walking.  These climbing plants can grow up to 5 metres in height and are a common site growing in hedgerows and alongside country lanes and paths.  The wild rose is England’s national flower.  They are usually pale pink but can also be white.  The most common variety is the Dog Rose, but you may also see Field Roses or Sweet Briar all of which have a similar appearance.

The petals have a delicate scent can be scattered on salads, used to make wine, or added to jams and other dishes to add flavour.  The rose hips that appear later in the year are high in vitamin C and can be used to make syrup, tea and jam.

I took this photo yesterday up the hillside out of Dovedale in the Peak District.