My fab four English roses
My FAVOURITE English roses??!! I love them all and don’t often pick favourites. The fact is, I have only been able to grow a fraction of the David Austin Roses that are available so I can only speak to those.
In no particular order…
Golden Celebration is a stand out. I have had Golden Celebration in every garden I have grown since the 1990’s. It never disappoints.
Golden Celebration
Colour: Rich yellow
Flowering: Repeat Flowering
Fragrance: Strong, Tea
Bloom Size: Large
Family: English Shrub Rose
Size: Medium Shrub 4ft (125cm) 4ft (125cm)
Breeder: David Austin
Year of Introduction: 1992
Jude the Obscure and this one is a stand out for a few reasons. It flowers prolifically with beautifully chalice like blooms and the scent is unparalleled.
Jude the Obscure
Colour: Soft yellow
Flowering: Repeat Flowering
Fragrance: Strong, Fruity
Size: Medium Shrub 4ft (125cm) 3 1/2ft (110cm)
Bloom Size: Large
Breeder: David Austin
Year of Introduction: 1995
I am agast to find out that Jude the Obscure has been retired. I have been trying to find it for my garden as I left mine behind when we moved in 2021. I was not aware that any David Austin roses were to be discontinued.
Sharifa Asma is a delicate shell pink that flowers profusely in clusters and smells divine.
Flowering: Repeat Flowering
Fragrance: Strong, Fruity
Size: Medium Shrub 4ft 3ft
Breeder: David Austin
Bloom Size: large
Again, I am so sad to find out that this rose is also retired. I do have this one so maybe I can make some cuttings. Shout if you would like one!
Gertrude Jekyl is a small shrub but is most often dripping in blooms. The colour is a rich deep pink and the fragrance is rich and powerful.
Colour: Bright pink
Flowering: Repeat Flowering
Fragrance: Strong, Old Rose
Size: Medium Shrub 3 1/2ft (110cm) 3ft (90cm)
Bloom Size: Large
Happy Gardening! Don’t forget to stop and smell the roses. xoxo
( also of interest might be…My three favourite dahlias My Top Five Perennials for a cottage garden )
Here are some fun garden items you might like. xo
