It is mid September, and we’ve had another glorious day, clear, warm – upper 70s – with a lovely breeze. It was almost hot! Many plants in the garden are flowering again, or still, and the David Austin roses have shot up and most are full of new buds!
I cut blooms from each of the David Austins in the lower front garden: ‘Lady Emma Hamilton’, ‘The Shepherdess’, ‘Gentle Hermione’ and ‘Graham Thomas’, and put them in a rose and toile patterned tea mug which I’m rather fond of but which lost its handle some time ago.
I love all my roses. I’m proud of how well they’re doing and I’m compelled to photograph every single bloom as it emerges! But, shhh, don’t tell the others, I do have a favorite! She’s gorgeous and vigorous and has the MOST intoxicating fragrance, like an elixir, that transports you to another dimension.
It’s ‘Lady Emma’!
This rose is truly a marvel to me. If you asked me if I prefer pink to peach, I would always say ‘pink’. And orange wouldn’t even be in the running. But my rose-loving heart has been captivated by a tangerine and golden yellow beauty. Her fragrance is described in the Austin brochure as ‘strong, delicious, fruity with hints of pear, grape and citrus fruits.’ I admit I cannot discern all these flavors but without a doubt, citrus is the uppermost scent, a deep and spicy citrus that is exotic and seductive and altogether exhilarating.
Imagine – a pale orange rose that smells of oranges and lemons!
When I have them in a vase on my desk – quite near me, of course – I’ll stop typing, close my eyes and stick my nose in a bloom. Inhaling deeply, I am swept away and have to purposely pull myself back from a lovely trip to an enchanted garden.
I call that pretty magical.
Wildlife update: Lots of birds, lots of chatter but nothing near the performance of Sunday!
Badminton update: D: 40 G: 40
I thought the roses so beautiful that they must be David Austin and when I read on they are! Aren't they just the best I love their blooms and scent! we (my parents and I) have a small back garden and we have about 6 different David Austin roses now peach pink and lemon. I love how you photographed them
kathryn x
Hi Kat, Thanks so much for writing. Yes, David Austin roses ARE the best. We've gotten so much pleasure from them – I have some in a vase on my desk right now. So glad to hear you have some in your garden! – g
these are just the most beautiful rose shots i have seen in a long time, they're enchanting :) how lucky you are to have them growing in your garden! i absolutely love the very first shot, i could melt into it it's so divine lol.
Hi and thank you so much! Great to meet you and I'm going to head to your blog right now! :)
Visiting your blog is better then looking at garden magazines. I love it. Thanks for sharing.
Jewell
I thought so much of Lady Emma, that I gave it to my dearest Sister/Friend in San Carlos,Ca. She has a very small yard and out of all the roses I could have picked, Lady Emma was the one. So beautiful!
Just lovely, I was wondering about your Gentle Hermione, honestly, how does it smell and would you recommend it highly? Thanks so much…
Hi Sean, and thank you so much!
I love Gentle Hermione. The fragrance is beautiful and the blooms are exquisite. The stems can be a bit thin but it still makes a wonderful cut flower.
All the best,
Georgianna