David Austin English roses with their old world fragrance and form are modern roses that are so reminiscent of the old gallicas, musk and bourbon roses that I love. The English Roses are some of my favorites — mixing old with new is what my cottage garden is all about.

Every year for the past 20 years I get completely giddy when it is time for the new English rose introductions and I am never disappointed. This year’s introductions are exquisite and are promptly going on my wish list!

Take a look…

Boscobel-a classic English Rose with pretty cupped flowers that evolve over time from deep salmon to deep pink, and a delightful myrrh fragrance with hawthorn character laced with hints of elderflower, pear and almond.

Heathcliff-a brilliant new deep crimson addition to this hard-to-achieve color range, with a beautifully shaped flower and singular fragrance of Tea Rose and Old Rose played off a minor base note of elegant dry woody cedar.

Tranquillity-a glistening white rose in a perfectly rounded rosette shape, with a crisp light apple fragrance.

Royal Jubilee-a stand-out beauty even amongst other English Roses, Royal Jubilee’s luscious, large, deep pink semi-double flowers are presented on an airy upright bush of exceptional strength.

The Lark Ascending-a very different look in an English Rose, with gently cupped flowers of just 22 petals in a heavenly warm apricot shade splashed with gold at the centers.

Michael Marriott

This week on Rose Chat we had the pleasure of Michael Marriott of David Austin English Roses as our guest. He brought us up to date on David Austin, Sr., the new introductions and provided us with many tips for getting our roses off to a good start and keeping them healthy. You may listen to the podcast here.

It’s been said more than once that I might have a crush on Mr. Austin Sr. 🙂 … I wrote about that here.

Are you beginning to start your 2014 wish list?