Summer Song to Tess of the D’Urbervilles via A Shropshire Lad and James Galway – Roses for Sunday

The burnt orange of Summer Song against the warm golds of Crown Princess Margareta.   'Tis June and the roses are heading towards their absolute Peak. Of course, the English Roses from David Austin will flower again, several times indeed and very welcome they will be too. But just now, with the summer-flowering roses -…

Heading into the second Walled Rose garden at Mottisfont Abbey….

Crepuscule Crepuscule was raised by M Dubreuil in France in 1904. He has previously (1884) raised that little charmer Perle d'Or which bids fair to outlast most roses, like Gloire de Dijon. Nobody is raising these exquisite Noisettes these days. Crepuscule is of lax, semi-climbing growth and has been recommended for hedging, but I think…

The Mottisfont Pictorial Rose Catalogue continues with another update…

Spong One of the most famous sports of Rosa x centifolia, originating in 1805, probably in England. It will reach 4ft (1.2m), bears typically rounded leaves of its parent and neat flowers about twice the size of De Meaux (also a sport of Rosa x centifolia), with the same good fragrance. Its failing is that…

Through the centuries – roses at Mottisfont Abbey

Hippolyte White foxgloves come into their own in statuesque quality in contrast to the dark purplish colour of rose Hippolyte. This is a Gallica hybrid for which we have no date. Strangely it is almost prickle-less and in this way as in the shape and colour of the flowers Gallica ancestry is indicated. Reaching 5…

The parade continues – a perfect rose sanctuary at Mottisfont Abbey

Adelaide d'Orleans This originated in France in 1826 (presumably from open-pollinated seed since hybrizing was not then understood) and suggests R sempervirens as a possible parent. Of extreme grace, the lax clusters hang down. It would not reveal is beauty if trained on a wall, so it is best over an arch or a tree…

A truly wild & technicolor wild flower meadow at St. Mary’s University, Twickenham

Hot and cool blending in this swathe of wild flower meadow at St Mary's University, Twickenham Campus. Just driving along between appointments and had to pull over to admire the display - as had other people too. A real treat and welcome break, especially as temperatures topped 25C this afternoon.