David Austin Roses

Lordly Oberon,
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Dianne

A couple of our roses don't like the hot northerlies. Our sole DA (Graham Thomas) is one of them. It's in a pretty open spot beside the horse paddock so it cops the breeze. It was never supposed to be there but it was dug out when we changed a bit of the garden and has not found a proper home as yet. Next winter maybe.

My 'Graham Thomas' is beautiful, it has not stopped blooming for weeks now, my only concern is the flowers with only 4 petals on them. Is this OK.  

I've just caught up with this topic.
I dug up and brought a few DA's from Sydney to Sunshine Coast when we moved 4 years ago. Heritage has done well although currently semi-dormant due to lack of rain. Mary rose has sulked since being re-located in her new bed. Graham Thomas was gorgeous this Spring but now waiting for rain to flower again. Newer plantings of Benjamin Britten, Jayne Austin and (my favourite DA) Windermere have been fabulous.
Other less successful newer plantings are Brother Cadfael, Claire and Ambridge Rose, with Winchester Cathedral being a disaster. Need lots more TLC than I'm able to give them in this climate. Hence my move to Teas etc.

rosebud, what is going to happen to the David Austin's ?

Just thought I'd mention how pleased I am with Darcy Bussell. Healthy, compact and the most glorious flowers of bright crimson in full florets. I just had to cut 2 flower laden stems that were flattened by 3 days of continuous rain we've had here and they have filled a vase nicely. I planted this rose in July and have been amazed at its constant flowering. Some fragrance but not much at this stage. Foliage to the ground. It would make a great pot specimen as it looks to be a rounded, nicely shaped symmetrical bush. It would look superb growing with Munstead Wood.

Silky, we saw 'Darcy Bussell, 6 years ago in DA's exhibition garden and fell in love with it then as Munstead Wood. The other one which crops up is 'Windemere'. I might ask what the people at DA's think is the best or better for our climate just out of interest.

Silky, I saw the most perfectly formed young rose plant I have ever laid eyes on at Wyee nurseries two years ago. It was Darcy Bussell, and it was like a living bouquet - an symmetrical green dome bursting with dark red buds. It was in someone else's cart, otherwise I would have grabbed it there and then, taken a chance and asked questions later. Now with your imprimatur, I really think tthis one's a candidate for the short fat overdressed list.

An interesting point is the David Austin roses are shown in the shrub class which is now eligible for grand champion in NSW due to recent changes to our list of standard units.

Roseman, I am valiantly trying to give the less successful DAs another chance. Putting in a more permanent watering system from our little dam should help. If I decide to dig them up and find them a new home I'll let you know.

Oh, and I forgot to mention the most bullet proof DA of all that came from Sydney with us. Wife of Bath has continued to perform through re-location, re-planting (again), drought and flood. Don't be fooled by her facade of pastel pink and a hint of myrrh fragrance. She is one tough lady!

Rosebud are you up in the hills? We are in Mooloolah.

We are just behind the range between Eumundi and Kenilworth. Gorgeous part of the world! When we first moved up here I was told you 'can't grow roses on the Sunshine Coast'. I knew they were wrong, but just had to prove it!!

We were told the same thing, that and camellias and Species Geraniums

Yes it nice up there. We did some work in Cedar Creek Road a few weeks ago. I had never been up that road and it was a bit of a surprise.

Yes, this area not so well known. When we moved here I was surprised to see Camellias and Azaleas established and doing well. Next time you're up this way send me a msg.

A little bit of David Austin's breeding,

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Thanks, Roseman. Have looked at this site before ... how wonderful to immerse your 'nose' in roses all day, everyday. I imagine you'd have to have a fair amount of tolerance for frustrating results, though... Love that the site talks about reducing their use of pesticides etc. Enlightened too!!

At the NRSA AGM in Adelaide recently it was announced David Austin was a recipient of the Australian Rose Award for his contribution to the rose in Australia.

It has taken me a while but I have chased down a release date for the rose I mentioned a while ago named "Tranquility", after hassling Treloars I got an answer last week from the directors, Gary. He said it will be released in 2016.

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Ooooo David, that's a beauty! Will have to find a space for this! Great find!

Again some more info on "tranquility", I have just received my conformation order for this rose, YEA.

That Tranquility looks so lovely!
We can grow D.A's quite well in Bendigo and I assume they do well in Adelaide etc as they are on the same temperate weather line as us.
I grew a beautiful Graham Thomas out the front. I trained it as a shrub/climber. I was sad they day it came out along with some other roses
I still have 3 out the back. Eglantine, Heritage and Eveylyn. I for one would always have a place for a couple of these. The fragrance is lovely and the shape so pretty.

DA's grow well in OZ Kaye, some just want to be climbers because of there parentage, I shall post a photo when Tranquility flowers, as it went in late it will be a while.