Floribunda rose

Awarded the accolade of novelty rose 2006, 'Hot Chocolate' is a unique colour. The buds starts off a rusty orange and opens to a rich velvety-brown. It's a floribunda variety with healthy, glossy, dark green foliage. As a floribunda rose, it should be pruned from late winter to early spring. Cut back the main stems to 25-45cm (10-18in) above the ground; pruning to just above an outward-facing bud. Reduce sideshoots to two or three buds. Remove any spindly or diseased growth. After pruning, apply a rose fertiliser and mulch around the base of the plant.