2 acres of Paradise? David Austin Roses at their Albrighton Nursery & Gardens – the best display in years methinks!

The Long Garden, Lion Garden, Victorian Garden and The Renaissance Gardens at David Austin’s home ground at Albrighton in Shropshire. The site is home to these magnificent 2-acre gardens, the extensive plant centre, shop and restaurant as well as the business-end of things, the breeding glasshouses and trial beds, the production nursery for all of the potted and bare-root plants and the offices, delivery warehouses and thank fully, considerably chilled warehouses – it was a warm day yesterday when I was a guest of David Austin and given a tour around the whole operation. Bliss!

The Long Garden is essentially that, running the full length of the gardens with paths leading off into other gardens or office, or Mr Austin’s house. Brick pillared pergolas criss-cross the gardens with curtains of climbing and rambling roses almost obscuring the architecture. The Renaissance Garden features a black-watered canal and covered Loggia, with successive banks of roses framed by box hedging. The Lion Garden, with the feature sculpture by David Austin’s late wife, Pat (whose pieces dot the gardens), is the only garden where there are either standard roses or herbaceous planting mixed in with the roses. The Victorian Garden is circular, with wide concentric grass paths and a kaleidoscope of roses on the walls and, well, everywhere.

There are three member of the permanent gardening team, though they have four extra folk helping with the deadheading just now – and they are doing an excellent job!

The Patio Garden (below) showcases how their English Roses can be grown in large containers – some of these plants are in their 6th year with no change of compost. A mix of John Innes and peat compost is a wise growing medium while regular watering is essential and additional feeding, which will keep them looking their best. Two of the new introductions for 2015/16, Desdemona and The Ancient Mariner are already potted up and looking well.

http://www.davidaustinroses.com/english/Advanced.asp?PageId=1912

The Long Garden

The Long GardenThe Long Garden forms the central core of the rose garden, with the other gardens leading from it.It contains our collection of old roses, which generally flower once in early summer. The Long Garden also includes modern shrub roses and many English Roses to extend the flowering season. The whole garden is interlaced with pergolas, which display many climbing and rambling roses. Later in the season the rambling roses produce many small hips.

The Victorian Garden

The Victorian Walled GardenThe Victorian Walled Garden is a formal garden made up of three circular borders, which diminish in width towards the centre. They are planted with English Roses and other repeat-flowering shrub roses. The focal point of the garden is the large central stone carving.Visitors can also admire the natural beauty of the English Climbers and Ramblers trained over arches, arbours and along the eight foot wall which encircles the garden.

The Renaissance Garden

The Renaissance GardenThe National Collection of English Roses is held in the gardens at Albrighton.The Renaissance Garden is perhaps the most beautiful of all the gardens, and is devoted to English Roses. These roses start flowering in late May and continue right through to the frosts of early winter. This lovely garden demonstrates the great versatility of the English Roses, with their wide range of flowers and fragrances, habits and sizes.

The Lion Garden

The Lion GardenThe Lion Garden has been redesigned and the sculpture moved to create a focal point. Four long borders mingle shrub roses, including many English Roses, with herbaceous perennials, creating a wonderful contrast of colour, form, texture and scent. The borders are punctuated by magnificent standard roses, which add height and structure to the garden.

The Patio Garden

The Patio GardenOur patio garden features English specimen roses in a variety of large, decorative terracotta planters. English Roses, with their gracefully rounded, shrubby growth, are ideal for growing in this way.They bring character and interest to the gravelled area around the Plant Centre and their beautiful, deliciously fragrant flowers can be easily enjoyed at close quarters.

The Species Garden

The Species GardenThe Species Garden contains the true wild roses and their near hybrids.This is one of the first to flower and is at its most beautiful in early summer. After flowering, the hips develop and will be in full colour by the autumn. Birds can often be found in this garden, eating the seeds. Please ask for a free garden map when you arrive at the plant centre. This is designed to help you enjoy the gardens and will be a pleasant reminder of your visit.

Mrs Pat Austin with one of her sculptures

Providing focal points in the garden are many fine pieces of sculpture by Mrs Pat Austin, a very talented artist. There are places around the garden where visitors can sit, relax and enjoy the flowers and their fragrances.The garden is accessible to wheelchairs. We are open from 9 am to 5 pm and admission is free.Group visits and guided tours can be arranged by prior appointment. Please call 01902 376342 Go to the Plant Centre Home Page Other UK rose gardens