David Austin Rose Obsession

[andthebandmarchedon]

I have developed an (unhealthy) obsession with David Austin Roses since lockdown. My sourdough baking morphed into gardening once I had that cracked and now I have a collection of six roses. Please don’t count how much I’ve spent (or tell my husband) and that’s not even counting the huge pots they require 😳. I now follow threads on FB and Instagram and google pictures and even (embarrassingly) have a spreadsheet with my favourites and their qualities.
Anyone else been similarly afflicted?

I don't have a spreadsheet OP but I have totally learned to admire them whilst on lockdown and seeing the beautiful pics from others. I have bought two which is very restricted of me! A Gertrude Jeckyll and Mill on the Floss. Eyeing up many more though

I have Darcy Bussell, a beautifully scented deep red, The Lady of Shallot, a scented peach climber and the Generous Gardener, which is doing no growing!
Have you been to the David Austin garden? Well worth a visit.

I was never a fan of roses because I always associated them with those formal beds in parks, or my MIL's garden ,that had rows of just roses in a formal setting.And then just stumps in winter.
Several years ago I was given a David Austin Roald Dahl and I bought a huge pot and I was converted.I now have a Darcey Bussell and a Susan Williams Ellis (white with a deliciously citrusy scent )
And a climbing Claire Austin on our pergola.I was just watching Gardeners world and thinking about which one I would get next !

Have also developed an ostentatiously titled Rose Garden (patch) during lockdown. Dutifully planted with lots of manure and a root powder I can't pronounce. My bank balance is lighter but so is my soul. I have Olivia, Gertrude Jekyll, Litchfield Angel, Gentle Hermione and Roald Dahl. Would very much like Desdemona and Poets Wife but have run out of room. And money

They are very lovely. I have ordered a Lady of Shalott and Gabriel Oak for November and am quietly excited.

I do like a variety of types of roses, though, and wouldn't want only typically DA roses in my garden.

Ooh could you share a photo of them please? I was given 2 young rose bushes this year and would like some inspiration for more!

But... I do have the catalogue on my bedside table.

Oh I forgot, climbing Claire Austin, white and climbing Etoile de Hollande , a velvety scented climber.
The catalogue is a beautiful book.

I buy them birthday and Christmas for DH. He is the David Austin of France. We have rather a lot!!

No spreadsheet (wow!!). But definitely love the David Austin roses. I bought a Vanessa Bell in June. It was full of yellow flowers a month ago (scent divine), and more buds now so hoping for a second lot. Love roses.

A big roses fan here - especially DA ones which I have been gifted over the years and this lockdown I bought two climbers - GJ which is doing really well and Madame Alfred Carriere which has finally started blooming - pretty ragged looking white with a tint of blush pink and a beautiful scent.

What I love about roses is that they flower all through summer if well looked after and also the fact they need deadheading, feeding etc means I am forced to spend time in the garden which I find to be really good for my soul.

I like some DA roses but I’ve been disappointed with a couple that I’ve had this year ( princess Alexandra of Kent and Sir John betjeman) as the necks are so droopy the roses face the floor which seems a complete waste of time. I’ll give them a couple of years and see if the neck strength improves as they mature, in not they’ll be coming out. They’re expensive for plants you can’t see won’t put having to physically lift the flower.

The best rose I’ve bought this year is a yellow Arther Bell - it’s strong growing, upright and smells delicious!

I bought 4 over lockdown the excuse being that we are redoing the front garden.

A Gertrude Jekyll, a boscobel, a golden celebration and one I can’t remember but all chosen for scent. .

I’ve never had the room to grow roses before so am v excited.

Any tips for care? And to make them look better in winter? Something to distract from the bare stems.

I am with you! I have Gertrude, Graham Thomas, Pat Austin, Winchester Cathedral, Gabriel oak amongst others. They are totally stunning and I have my eye on a few more...

Peter Beales Roses are worth a look. They have their own different varieties.

OP, I too have acquired quite a few during lockdown

Sooo beautiful @Onthetrain75 Aren't they just divine? I have Winchester Cathedral and Tranquility, and I just can't decide on which one I love more

@BarkingHat All the information about caring for them etc is on the DA website.

You should all come and join us on the pictures thread. Lots of David Austin rose pictures there (Sorry if I missed anyone) and I'm nodding my head in agreement about them being good for the soul 😂 Like we needed another reason to justify buying them 😂

@KingOfDogShite I think there was a thread on here about that issue. It seemed that it will improve as the Rose gets older & stronger.

I'm going to look up some of your list @brightlights73

This is my newest one, Ferdinand Pichard. I also have Brother Cadfael, and Tranquility which I bought memory if my brother and grandad respectively. Probably next on list is Winchester Cathedral.

I adore looking after my roses, also have other varieties in my little flower bed. I have suffered a lot with bereavement and depression and they make me very happy and quite poor

Name changed - that is stunning! Here's a pic of my Madame Alfred carriere

@namechangedyetagain - snap! The gorgeous Ferdinand pichard (Jean luc Picard as I call it lol 😆)

Also got Peace and Poets Wife ❤️

Here’s The Lady of Shallot, next to Darcy Bussell

We moved house last year and have inherited a beautiful garden filled with david austin roses - just got to keep on top of it all and try not to ruin it now!

Lovely thread!

I have the Pilgrim ( yellow) potted and hoping to train up the wall of the house. The flowers are beautiful
Madam Alfred carrier ( white) is doing her thing by the front fence -she’s gonna be big
Port Sunlight ( apricot) gives a great show but has black spot unfortunately
Shropshire Lad (pink) has been a bit disappointing but that may be because I moved him last autumn.
I think I am in need of a pale pink climbing rose for the back of my house, any suggestions? It’s very sunny (and dry)

Has my Ferdinand pichard got black spot? I've literally only just got it about 2 weeks ago, if that!