FABULOUS & FRAGRANT SHRUB ROSES OF DAVID AUSTIN
by Gaye Hammond | Master Rosarian & Past President Houston Rose Society
As one of the most famous rose breeders, David Austin introduced over 190 rose cultivars during his lifetime. Many of them not only send out beautiful and sometimes unique blooms, but also have wonderful fragrance.
Interestingly, there is a connection between the colors of his roses and their scents. Mr. Austin’s breeding program focused on producing roses that had one of five fragrances; myrrh (licorice), fruit, old garden rose (his favorite), tea and musk, and some of the roses even boast a combination of more than one fragrance. Very few of his roses lack scent, so almost always additions of David Austin’s roses will add a wonderful fragrance to your garden.
The flower form of David Austin roses is perhaps the most unique of all flower forms created by modern breeders. One can see forms similar to peonies, dahlias, cabbage roses, old garden roses and everything in between. Those varieties with more than 50 petals make excellent cut flowers that last many days in a vase.
All rose photos courtesy of David Austin Roses, Ltd. & Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/davidaustinroses/
