One of my favourite English Roses, Munstead Wood (named after Gertrude Jekyll’s home and garden in Surrey). A dramatic, rich deep and velvety crimson with good fragrance. Flowers – large in size and cupped at first, the colour deepens as the flower matures and we get a glimpse of the stamens amongst the petals. Practically glowing in sunshine. The growth is bushy and spreading, forming a broad shrub with good disease resistance. The leaves are mid-green; the younger leaves being red-bronze to form a nice contrast. There is a strong Old rose fragrance with a fruity note. David Austin describe it as ‘warm and fruity with blackberry, blueberry and damson’. 90cm x 75cm. Pictured here in the Roehampton garden project, against a background of persicaria, penstemon ‘Garnet’ and deep pink cosmos.
The Teddington Gardener 