Who could possibly have enough roses in a garden to make the landscape look like fabric? I'll tell you who, David Austin!
I thought I knew what I would see when I made a pilgrimage to David Austin's Rose Gardens in Albrighton, England a few weeks ago. Roses, pathways, pergolas - I love gardens and I couldn't wait. But let me tell you, I was not prepared for this. This garden far exceeds anything I have seen in any category anywhere.
This garden is decadent. It is beautiful. It is hard to believe that it is real. Every aspect of "what it is to know a rose" is shown here in its best light.
David Austin (and his son of the same name) design roses. They use science to breed new roses by developing the color, scent and shape from exisiting species. You must look here at how they explain the process. Fascinating!
David Austin knows how to care for roses. The water, the fertilizer, the pruning and shaping. The experts in their field tending to their specialty on site. Each plant is strong, healthy and loaded with blooms.
David Austin knows how to arrange and display roses for maximum enjoyment. A garden wall, a reflecting pond, a shaded bench. Perfect pathways lined with rose after rose after rose. The literature says that over 800 species planted in the garden. But I'll tell you now, there are far more rose bushes than species. I walked every inch of their 2 acre rose garden and every direction I looked was as full as the photo above.
There is no limit to roses here. The David Austins love roses and they want you to see why. Bravo!
4 comments:
Oh! I would think I had died and gone to heaven! What an absolutely beautiful photo! I really would love to go and visit some day. Thank you for sharing your experience.
You are welcome! It really was stunning. I took a flip video walking the gardens, but am having trouble with it. If I get it working, I will post a clip. Spectaular!
This is on my bucket list for sure..I have tried to plan this trip for 8 years! I have traveled all over the world and visited every garden imaginable, but have missed David Austin, the one I long to see the most, you are the first person I know to have actually visited the gardens..I am envious.... good blog please visit me at judyscottagegarden.blogspot.com
Judy - It was a dream come true! You can read more about it here :http://anadesigns.blogspot.com/2010/08/visiting-england-david-austins.html
Or Google Anne Reeves/David Austin and you should see more posts.
I am working on my next book, "A Delightful Tour of England" which will include much more about my visit. You'll love it. Stay tuned.
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