We live surrounded by David Austen roses too, the Lady of Shallot and Desdemona are either side of the path from the back of the house, and the front is a riot of Lark Ascending and Morning Mist, (bobbing over a mass of psychedelic self-seeded orange California and scarlet poppies, which I refuse to pull up wherever they appear) and there are many others. I can quite understand why people become rose fanatics, we talk about them and their characters, foibles, habits etc as though they were people; Gertrude Jekyll has the most intoxicating Turkish delight perfume which makes us forgive her her savage little thorns which cluster round the flowers, Thomas a'Becket nearly gets martyred for his untidy, flopping, petal-shedding habits, but then we allow him to stay for his unusual carmine colour and grand crown of buds...
That striped rose has ancient antecedents, the Rosa Mundi goes back to at least the 16th century and there have been many other attempts to breed them.
This made me laugh… you’re absolutely right, we do talk about them as if they were people. The queen of Sweden for example is spectacularly pretty but can also be quite haughty - as soon as I try and pick a flower she lets me know she’s not impressed… no sooner is the flower in a vase than every single petal will fall off in a beautiful fit of pique. Happy to be in the rose fanatic club 😁
Good point about the Rosa Mundi too - I do really like the story behind the new rose… I want to like it. It just doesn’t quite have my heart like some of the others.
Scepter'd Isle and Queen of Sweden are cracking roses aren't they? I fell hard for the new King's Rose, and stumped out for one (ouch, that hurt!). Love it! And it has a historical precedent with the old Rosa mundi, a striped version of a pink gallica rose. I always wanted one of those, but the new one had its wicked way with my wallet!
Oh that’s interesting! What are you going to plant it with? I look forward to seeing what you do with it! I did love the historical precedent admittedly. Just lacked the imagination and skill to know quite what to do with it myself!
I love June when the garden starts coming alive. Bought a lovely tub of tasty strawberries today to make Eton Mess. My roses are thriving due to blast of hot weather in May and rain top-up last week, but will have to watch carefully for greenfly. And we usually head to our local beach on 21st for sundown over the Atlantic. 🌞 🌹 🍓
Oh that’s a lovely solstice tradition 🌞🌊. And good shout with the Eton mess… I’d completely forgotten about that this year so far. That is a VERY June dessert.
It’s my favourite month, more than my birthday month. I’m currently on a rose-buying mission and can’t wait to fill the garden with scent and colour. Wonderful post. Xx
Oh lovely. Generous Gardener is on my wish list, it’s such a pretty one 🩷 Hope you have a wonderful summer solstice and thanks so much for the preorder! 🌞✨
I can’t wait for your book to arrive! This year is the first year I am considering doing a (tiny) celebration in my garden for the summer solstice so you have given me lots of inspiration. 🥰
We live surrounded by David Austen roses too, the Lady of Shallot and Desdemona are either side of the path from the back of the house, and the front is a riot of Lark Ascending and Morning Mist, (bobbing over a mass of psychedelic self-seeded orange California and scarlet poppies, which I refuse to pull up wherever they appear) and there are many others. I can quite understand why people become rose fanatics, we talk about them and their characters, foibles, habits etc as though they were people; Gertrude Jekyll has the most intoxicating Turkish delight perfume which makes us forgive her her savage little thorns which cluster round the flowers, Thomas a'Becket nearly gets martyred for his untidy, flopping, petal-shedding habits, but then we allow him to stay for his unusual carmine colour and grand crown of buds...
That striped rose has ancient antecedents, the Rosa Mundi goes back to at least the 16th century and there have been many other attempts to breed them.
Lovely post, as always!
This made me laugh… you’re absolutely right, we do talk about them as if they were people. The queen of Sweden for example is spectacularly pretty but can also be quite haughty - as soon as I try and pick a flower she lets me know she’s not impressed… no sooner is the flower in a vase than every single petal will fall off in a beautiful fit of pique. Happy to be in the rose fanatic club 😁
Good point about the Rosa Mundi too - I do really like the story behind the new rose… I want to like it. It just doesn’t quite have my heart like some of the others.
Scepter'd Isle and Queen of Sweden are cracking roses aren't they? I fell hard for the new King's Rose, and stumped out for one (ouch, that hurt!). Love it! And it has a historical precedent with the old Rosa mundi, a striped version of a pink gallica rose. I always wanted one of those, but the new one had its wicked way with my wallet!
Oh that’s interesting! What are you going to plant it with? I look forward to seeing what you do with it! I did love the historical precedent admittedly. Just lacked the imagination and skill to know quite what to do with it myself!
I love June when the garden starts coming alive. Bought a lovely tub of tasty strawberries today to make Eton Mess. My roses are thriving due to blast of hot weather in May and rain top-up last week, but will have to watch carefully for greenfly. And we usually head to our local beach on 21st for sundown over the Atlantic. 🌞 🌹 🍓
Oh that’s a lovely solstice tradition 🌞🌊. And good shout with the Eton mess… I’d completely forgotten about that this year so far. That is a VERY June dessert.
It’s my favourite month, more than my birthday month. I’m currently on a rose-buying mission and can’t wait to fill the garden with scent and colour. Wonderful post. Xx
A rose buying mission is the best kind! Have fun and let us know which ones you end up with.
What a perfect month June is, Roses, Strawberries and the Summer Solstice. What's not to love.
I feel pulled to celebrate the solstice this year. It will be my first one and I excited to be a part of it.
I love roses, they are one of my favourite garden flowers. I have two David Austin roses, Generous Gardener and Tranquillity.
I pre-ordered your book a while ago, I'm looking forward to reading that in September 😊
Oh lovely. Generous Gardener is on my wish list, it’s such a pretty one 🩷 Hope you have a wonderful summer solstice and thanks so much for the preorder! 🌞✨
Generous gardener really is lovely and the scent hits me as I walk out my back door. I hope you do manage to get one.
Have a wonderful summer solstice too 🌞
I can’t wait for your book to arrive! This year is the first year I am considering doing a (tiny) celebration in my garden for the summer solstice so you have given me lots of inspiration. 🥰
Hurrah! Summer solstice is the best, hope you have an excellent one 🌞