Before we get to Hampton Court, a gallop through Luton Hoo, Wrest Park and more from Petersham Nurseries – hurrying to keep up with the virtual mountain of photography…

Taxi?! Luton Hoo, in Bedfordshire, has a fascinating history, the family seat of an über-weathly family who lost almost all their fortunes in the credit-crunch of the 1980's. Fabergé eggs once sat casually on side tables! It is now an Elite Hotel, and lovely too, with formal gardens and parkland and nearby, a Land Rover…

Another good day for the roses – good, but wet…

The roses at Petersham are giving up their treasures with new blooms every day - Old Roses with impeccable credentials and the new Aristocracy, courtesy of David Austin. Even on such a wet, nay traditional Bank Holiday Monday - there was fragrance too. No more can I ask...

Roses, all the way – and a piece of Chelsea Fringe at Petersham Nurseries

I think my visit to Mottisfont - to see their incomparable collection of Old Roses - might have to be soon if the Capsule Collection at Petersham is anything to go by. New roses are popping into flower every day, with an opportunity to make new friends amongst the names I haven't seen in bloom…

David Austin Roses – the who, what, why and when…

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…