No, it's not for nothing that the rose bears the proud title of the queen of flowers - there are few plants in the world that can compete with it for the majesty of posture and the exquisite aroma. Among the many varieties and hybrids of roses, I would particularly like to dwell on pioneering roses of David Austin or, as they are still affectionately called, "Austinks".
The English roses of David Austin - the history of creation
The first "Austin" was released relatively recently - just some half a century ago. It was then that an ordinary farmer from England David Austin caught fire on ideas to create a rose bush that would be lush, spreading and blossoming for most of the season. For this, he decided to cross traditional English garden roses with modern hybrids. The first tangible success, Austin achieved in 1969, when he managed to get a whole batch of terry shrub hybrid roses, the most successful of which was Wife of Bath. David called his roses himself English, because the symbol of his homeland is this flower. The first time roses David Austin had no commercial success, as the owners of nurseries were afraid to buy a rather unusual novelty. But Austin continued to work on the creation of all new hybrids, and to date, has co-authored with his son more than 200 different "ostinok." Over time, all the dignity of the British roses David Austin received many prestigious awards, not only at home, but also abroad.
English roses of David Austin in Russia
In Russia, the first roses of David Austin came relatively recently - just a decade and a half ago. And although Russia still does not have an official representation of the nursery of Austin, "ostinki" quickly fell in favor of local florists. Of course, since Russia's climate differs significantly from English, not all "ostinok" varieties are suitable for local cultivation. Basically, the Russian market is hit by varieties that have successfully passed the cold test in Canada. But the experience of domestic floriculturists shows that many of the "ostinks" not recommended for Russia feel comfortable enough in the local latitudes.
Roses of David Austin, recommended for cultivation in Russia:
- "Claire Austin";
- "A Shropshire Lad";
- "Abraham Darby";
- Tradescant;
- «Summer Song».
Best roses of David Austin
All "ostinki" are good in their own way, but still we take the liberty and create our rating of the most beautiful roses of David Austin:
- The first place will be given to "Austincke", bearing the name of the great English ballerina Darce Bussell. Its painted in a richly burgundy hue the flowers have the shape of an ideal circle of 10-12 cm and are collected in brushes of 3-7 pieces. The fragrance of the flowers is softly fruity. Resistant to diseases and frost.
- The second place is taken by a very beautiful, but rather capricious Rose Sharifa Asma. Its delicately pink, large-flowered flowers have a diameter of 10-12 cm and are collected in inflorescences of 3-4 pieces. The variety is resistant to diseases, but requires additional care: shelter for the winter, pruning, feeding.
- On the third place is "Ostinka", which is as easy to grow as it is beautiful - Golden Celebration. It has large (up to 14 cm) flowers of globular shape and copper-yellow color.
- Variety Christopher Marlowe strikes an unusual orange-red color of flowers and a delicate tea-lemon aroma.
- Honored popularity was given to the Heritage variety, featuring charmingly gently rosy double flowers with a strong spicy aroma. The bush of this sort of "ostinok" can reach two meters in height and one and a half meters in width, which does not prevent it from easily transferring frosts.
