Saturday 24 May 2014

David Austin Roses and their Other Collections at the Chelsea FlowerShow

Even before I ever went to the Chelsea Flower Show - there was always a certain flower that I always had my eye on.  Of course my eyes were one of millions of fans for the roses grown and cultivated by David Austin that won a gold medal again this year.

I remember having a catalogue of the amazing range of flowers as a coffee table book.

So it was only natural that I visit their stand and am sharing for fellow fans of their flowers.


Heidi at Adelaide Villa and the Hostess of the Humble Bungalow also have amazing varieties of David Austin roses and like many others might be interested in this year's new varieties but
 I could only find one of the new roses to show you here.


The other two might have been either hiding or they didn't exhibit.
I thought they only did one so didn't even know to ask but I went to their website and saw they have two more.
It is a perfect powdery pink in real life.



Gorgeous scent and I liked the way they grouped together en masse.
I sometimes find with roses that some are better in groups and others need room to breathe and shine on its own and this had a very flexible demeanour.




I have yellow roses in my window box and they have spirit and contagious happiness to most who walk by them. But these are better than mine as this does have a stronger scent that is part musk and part classic rose.



Did you know Darcey Bussell has a rose named after her?  Although I don't know if this is her color.
I imagine her as more apricot and dark yellow.


Only real flower enthusiasts could tell the difference between Darcy and HRH Princess Anne.


Princess Anne isn't the only royal to have a rose named after her.


They also did a rose for the wedding of Kate and Wills.


I have to mention that this year the flowers in general all over the pavilion weren't up the the standard of last year.

Some of the roses were wilting and already getting some brown edges but I still appreciated them all.  It just makes you realize how much hard work goes into the show.

The weather has been very temperamental and the show started to such heat that the flowers were wilting which was a change to having to use hairdryers to force flowers to bloom.


I just loved the mix of rose types and rose colors. 
The soft lavender made me a bit giddy.

Interestingly I went to the show with a friend in his 20's and he wasn't impressed and I asked why and he said he thought roses were old fashioned.
Shows I am getting old...

I admire how roses are such a team player.  
I love how they look great as a single stem in a vase to being clumped together in a hedge.


Naming roses must be a little like naming nail polish but perhaps a little more poetic.


I was interested in the climbers as that is what I have and the only viable option in London.


Did you know that David Austen has a porcelain and fragrance range?  I didn't know until I went to their stand.



The stand was so crowded that it took ages to navigate what was only about 10 square meters.


I am a sucker for napkins so will be getting those for a picnic.
They also had matching porcelain.









This William rose had the softest thorns and was almost furry.


The Kew Garden roses were the healthiest looking bunch out of the lot.





37 comments:

  1. Oh I would be in heaven to see these DA roses at Chelsea!
    I am passionate about roses and I love and grow many of the DA varieties...if you get a moment pop by my blog and see the ones that I posted yesterday.
    Enjoyed your post and i hope you'll share more of Chelsea with your readers!

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    1. I think you would love the stand but it was sooo busy! Yes I saw your roses today and I thought how funny you posted on that because it reminded me how much of a DA fan you are as well. Your roses are fabulous and I hope those reading this drop by and see your flowers!

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  2. So beautiful! Thanks for sharing with us!

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  3. Oh my god! Those roses all different colors together! So gorgeous. I grow David Austin roses, badly. Hostess, above, is the expert.

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    1. Lisa - I am sure that the Cali weather and light gloss over a less than green thumb but I would be most curious to see what they look like anyway!

      @Fab Spot - glad you liked it!

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  4. They look so stunning en masse... even if the edges are browning on a few. Some of them I haven't yet seen here - they'll be in the National Rose Trial garden I suspect, but it takes a couple of years until they are commercially available here. Love that Boscobel, reminds me a little of William Morris. There are so many good climbers in the David Austins... although I always go back to good old Pierre de Ronsard, which flowers so prolifically and has such a beautiful old fashion flower. I loved it so much that the posies of my bridesmaids 14 years ago were of it alone. Thank you for getting the photos, just loved them xx

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    1. Doesn't it look so good clumped up in a jumble? Is the reason it takes several years to get to Australia because of plant immigration laws? Apparently my climber I have which was a gift from a neighbour is a DA but I don't know which one exactly but it does so well even with my gardening skills. I am glad you enjoyed the pics - I would have tried to get better but my camera doesn't do close ups very well...xx

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  5. Wow, the roses are stunning. I am sure it must have smelled heavenly there. Thanks for sharing these photos!

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    1. Funny enough each rose really did have its own scent and the scent wasn't overpowering and I was confused why I wasn't hit by a strong perfume but they still smelled lovely up close thankfully.

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  6. I love all the roses...I can't believe that you went to the show despite the crowd. I didn't ...too much hassle. Sigh. As for me, I have dark roses on my wall. In fact, they are almost black!

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    1. The crowd was bigger this year...It was tough and the walks were slow. But there doesn't seem to be a good time other than the invite only day which I doubt I will get! I love dark roses - my other ones are red/black and looks great individually - those one aren't team players!

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  7. Replies
    1. I would like my house covered in climbing roses in an ideal world!

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  8. When I had my apartment, I couldn't care less about flowers and plants and gardening etc. but since buying a house I've certainly developed an interest and should make an effort to get down to this show some time. That's interesting what your 20-something friend said because that echoes my view too - I find the colour makes a difference though. The pastel coloured roses do remind me more of my gran but the deeper colours of yellow and red are gorgeous and I can really appreciate those in my garden and on Valentine's Day! lol. Enjoy the rest of the weekend xx

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    1. Funny because I also remember thinking they were not modern in my twenties but then slowly you realize they are a classic. But I am not too picky and see beauty in each rose. I am going through a real apricot rose phase at the mo. But I could imagine you more of a tulip or orchid girl! xx

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  9. Oh Wow! I would be in heaven at the show. Gorgeous photos. Love DA roses - they are always so highly scented. Planning a European holiday in 2015 so will have to make sure it coincides with Chelsea. My roses have all but finished so thanks for the treat. Tonkath

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    1. You must remember that you have to get tickets month in advance. The show always sells out. Even people who aren't regular gardeners like me tend to go as well. I would make sure you take several hours and if you are really into it then it is a day's worth. I was away for my rose's first bloom so this made up for that!

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  10. How beautiful. David Austens are so peony-like, which is probably why I love them. That flower show has always been on my bucket list simply because I've seen it as a backdrop for so many fashion shoots. Stunning. Thank you for sharing!!

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    1. Some of them are practically peonies and so big that the stem feels like it is drooping from the weight. You do have to go because the crowd are also so knowledgeable and polite even though it is such a crowd and it is fun to overhear conversations!

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  11. I wish we had been more organised and made a greater effort to visit the show this year. I'm so pleased to see so many varieties of roses here and delighted that you took plenty of gorgeous photos to show us! The powder pink roses look almost too perfect to be real - like tissue paper and remind me so much of a small peony. I imagined the Darcy Bushell to be white or pale pink - I suppose I'm thinking about ballet tutus!

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    1. There weren't as many roses stands as one might think - there was DA and Peter Beale. But the pale pink was perfect. I used to have one that color but it died and I still miss it. You must remember to book a few months ahead to secure tickets so put it in your diary next year miss b!

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  12. CSW what's with the purple blog in Chicago?

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    1. Thankfully I just clicked bc I didn't get it at first!!

      He must be bored and tinkering ;)

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    2. Sorry, I thought there was something wrong. My mistake. :)

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  13. Gorgeous roses!! I have zero luck growing roses, but if I could, I'd try the David Austin's. Stunning. Enjoy your evening. xoJennifer

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  14. These roses are so beautiful! It is hard to pick a favorite color...thanks for sharing them with us!

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  15. Oh I've been deprived having never been up close and personal with English roses let alone DA roses! Very excited to learn they are available in the U.S. so may add some one of these days. Thanks for bringing the show to us. Now if only we can get the scent ... :)

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    1. @Jennifer - maybe it is the climate here but my roses just do their own thing and i just stay out of the way!! ;) x

      @Pam - very true about picking a color but I think it is a mood thing and season thing dont you think?

      @Tiffany rose - how apt you are here!! There is something about roses here. They just thrive for some reason. And yes they are available in the states and in Canada. While it is nice to have a few cuttings in the house I love a random planting too. I used to love romance by RL bc of the rose scent!

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  16. LUFF your CFS posts! so gorgeous! x

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  17. Hello Naomi,

    In our gardening days we lived quite close to the nurseries of David Austin so we saw and grew many of their Rose varieties. They do indeed produce a remarkable range of Roses in a rainbow of colours and of widely differing forms. We particularly like their 'old fashioned' varieties. However, it is important to bear in mind that some types have very large flower heads on weak stems so they do not hold up very well. Graham Stuart Thomas is a particular case in point. So, one needs to choose with care in order to have a fabulous Rose with delicious scent and that holds its head up!

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  18. Loved reading this. I am only just now (at long last) beginning my rose growing. I know, I know. I think I have just learned to appreciate them and realize how easy it is to grow them. So enjoyed reading this post.
    I have learned something today. xx's

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    1. Thanks @FF - one more post to come!

      @JLHattat - I need to visit the nurseries - even in the pictures they look divine. But yes I did notice some stems didn't seem to handle the weight of the flower so well which meant actual gardening...

      @Marsha - I only stumbled on the rose thing and now I must admit I can't imagine not growing them bc they are sooo easy! I can't tell you how strong they are. Thanks for coming by xx

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  19. Naomi, Loved seeing this! Beautiful roses. I have a few David Austens and they are worth it. I had no idea about the china. It's very pretty too. Love to get to the Chelsea flower show one day...
    x Kim

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  20. They are so beautiful! I have bought one David Austin rose for my garden, and being a complete novice, I really hope I will be able to make it blossom to its best.

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  21. Thank you for sharing your lovely photos. Hopefully I will see the Chelsea Flower Show in person one day!

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    1. @Kim and Anon - I hope you make it too very soon!

      @FSteph - if I can grow roses then anyone can!!

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  22. Roses...old fashioned! I hope not. I am not much good at growing my own roses but I love to go to rose gardens to enjoy the fragrance and colours.

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