Kitchen Garden Forum

We have just (last Tuesday) come back from ten days in Shropshire. During the holiday we visited David Austin Roses. What a fabulous place. If you ever get the chance to go, please go because this is the second time we have been there and it was well worth the effort.

As you walk in the perfume justs hits you. You can walk around the gardens and look at all the roses that you can then go and purchase in the other side of the gardens. June seems to be the best time of year to go. You can also have a very nice lunch as well.

I was lucky enough to speak to David Austin himself as he was standing next to me and I did not recognise him and I just said how fabulous the roses were looking and he agreed and said it was a good year for roses this year. MY OH told me later who he was.

We bought two climbing roses Crown Princess Margareta then we called at another rose specialist on the way home and we managed to slip in four more roses into the back of the car. Hot Chocolate, Adam's rose, Olympic spirit and Spice of Life. The other day we called at another garden centre locally and bought a white rose (can't remember what it is called). Last year we bought two Shropshire Lads and a Generous Gardener.

Generous Gardener is possibly the most commented upon Rose in the garden at work, for its scent...the other contenders for similar comments on scent are L'aimant, Alchemyst and Felicite Parmentier.

Clive.

Clive we have planted it on the border over the pergola which is right next to the newly laid patio. so when it gets going it should be splendid.

Dear Catherine, i can imagine you now, sitting in a chair on your patio, cup of tea in one hand and admiring your lovely roses....it doesn't get any better than that.