Gardener and Photographer with a love of Roses and a magpie-eye for all things Horticultural
Now that the rose season is almost upon us, I'm refreshing my memory after long rose-less months, of what is to come! These notes are culled from a series of presentations the year before last, covering all things 'David Austin Roses'. If I find the pictures which accompanied the talks, I'll attempt to add them…
Continue reading ➞ David Austin Roses – the who, what, why and when…
This time last year, nothing. Barely a bud, nothing even closely resembling a flower. The month-long Sub-Zero ºC that was March 2013 put back the roses until July. This year, after a mild winter and some early sunshine (and the possibility of a long warm summer), I think it will be a good year for…
The Lark Ascending I'm chuffed that Lynn Hunt and The Dirt Diaries included some comments of mine on the new crop of David Austin roses set to conquer America in 2014 (not every UK introduction crosses the pond automatically and if they do, it is at least a year later than their original Chelsea debut).…
Continue reading ➞ The Dirt Diaries preview new US introductions from David Austin
A small selection of the rose hips display in the rose garden at Kew - sheltered by the Palm House and watched by sentinels of topiary. Not all roses produce rose hips of any significant or decorative consequence; some pull out all the stops and at least equal the floral display. For those roses which…
Continue reading ➞ Hip Hip Hooray for Roses (again..)
A frosty morning with the few roses cocky enough to be flowering all rimed with ice. A little rose garden with climbing rose The Generous Gardener on tall black obelisks, accompanied by a trio of English shrub roses also from David Austin, Gertrude Jekyll, Geoff Hamilton and Winchester Cathedral. The whole scheme is bordered by…
Continue reading ➞ Jack Frost comes calling….
Good Night from Lady Emma Hamilton (above) and Darcey Bussell (below) - and from me.... I hope you've left out a mince-pie and a glass of sherry for Santa. Big Day tomorrow!
Jude the Obscure - with a strong citrus scent, fruity, with guavas and white wine This article is by Robert Calkin, originally published in The Royal National Rose Society Historic Rose Journal Autumn 2013. If you are not a member of the Historic Rose Group, articles such as these are just one reason to join!…
Continue reading ➞ A fragrance by any other name
Charles Darwin (Auspeet) David Austin Recommended Variety Category English Roses (English Rose Collection) Bred By David Austin Colour Rich yellow Flower Type Double/Full Bloom Hardiness Hardy Fragrance Strong and delicious fragrance varies between a soft, floral Tea and almost pure lemon according to weather conditions. Strong Repeating Excellent Special Characteristics Named after Charles Darwin the…
Continue reading ➞ Charles Darwin
David Austin rose, Summer Song, flowering today, showcasing a dazzlingly deep sunset red. Roses are of course, mainstays of the summer garden but many varieties, even reluctant repeat flowering kinds, often put on superb Autumn displays (and this goes for shrubs, climbers and some ramblers). Following on from such a beautifully warm and sunny summer,…
Continue reading ➞ Summer Song in November
The Teddington Gardener 