I like all of those really, just not if the hybrid tea is too sharp - a lot depends on colour too. I still don’t really like red roses and I hate “artificial” looking colours.
Ive got a fair mix - but my favourite so far in terms of shape is Royal Jubilee (top photo, top left) very peony like. But I’ve started to like others that I wouldn’t have thought of purchasing before.
Maybe I’ll buy a bright red pointy hybrid tea one day.....but I doubt it!!
...it's not just about different bloom shapes, but roses from different breeders [they should not be all Austin's really, that's not variety]… from different time periods and classes... only that way do you get to know what you really like, and don't like so much... you also get to know roses a whole lot more..
To many people today it seems, the only rose is a David Austin rose and I think they're missing out on so many others... albeit our gardens are usually of such limited size that it's not always practical to experiment too much.. and the costs of experimentation mount up too.. it can take a long time... back in the day most of us started out with hybrid tea roses and floribundas because they were the most popular and that's all we knew... then you discover other types, and move on, finding you like those different types more...
Now, due to the clever marketing, most people start out with Austin roses, yet I've long been of the opinion that they are not wholly suited to those new to gardening, or new to roses... they need patience and understanding... but they wouldn't like to tell you that..
I like the variety of colours and shape in the foliage and stems as much as the blooms. Especially at the moment as that’s all I’ve got!
Every one of them looks different.
Ive said before that I think a lot of the DA thing is clever marketing. You either need to know what you’re doing or have the space/money/patience to experiment as you say - look on any site and there’s so much choice it’s tricky to navigate. DA make it easy.
Luckily I’m very patient and just enjoy watching them develop, so they suit me fine! 🙂
I’ve still got a soft spot for Amber Queen. Although I must guard that soft spot very carefully as she’s very thorny!
@Marlorena you absolutely right - 9 out of 13 of my roses are DA and that’s purely down to their marketing. I’m sure others are just as good, if not better! DA make it very easy to start and stay with them!
I’m totally new to roses so the last 18 months have been a learning curve!
I like hybid-tea or semi-double. I dislike the densely packed almost-triple flowers. They look fake to my eyes and over-bred. I would like to grow Mustead, for example, but it looks too forced to my eye. I like to see the centre of a rose - the pollen. Better for pollinators too.
I've seen so many rose newbies over the internet in the last year or so, starting with DAs because it's what's in and they are disappointed with the habit, with nodding blooms, not good enough vase life. Or they have some very hyped rose like Olivia and ask why it only has a light fragrance. For too many people, DAs are synonymous with fragrant, disease resistant and reliable. Or there are people asking why there isn't any true red in the DA range or why there isn't bicolour high-centred rose. I understand people are new but often it feels like they are only buying the brand.
@Fire, if you like dark reds and hybrid tea shape, then look at Royal William, an oldish variety with stunning reddish leaves and stems, grows quite tall, with fabulous perfume. I have picked one or two blooms in November. I planted mine in memory of my Father, another William. It's been moved to three gardens so far over 25 years! I also like Etoile du Hollande but I am finding the blooms appear too heavy for their stems. Although it's over 3 years old, it's in a very tough spot so that may be why.
@Fire, if you like dark reds and hybrid tea shape, then look at Royal William, an oldish variety with stunning reddish leaves and stems, grows quite tall, with fabulous perfume. I have picked one or two blooms in November. I planted mine in memory of my Father, another William. It's been moved to three gardens so far over 25 years! I also like Etoile du Hollande but I am finding the blooms appear too heavy for their stems. Although it's over 3 years old, it's in a very tough spot so that may be why.
I planted an Etoile last year and it is just starting to bloom. It seems fine in my spot. I like dark reds rather than crimsons - and climbers - as my garden is only just over three metres wide. I really have no space at all for any more of anything. It will be interesting to see how Barkarole does this year. It has the most beautiful shape and very long stems for cutting.
My Pilgrim is covered in buds for the first time, and Niphetos is looking happy (that has the most amazing scent). Also two Dr Jamain (first year). Ena is cranking up - she's squished into a tricky corner with little soil. She acts more like a bush rose and doesn't really climb. I may have pruned her too hard too early on.She doesn't much flower after the first flush, which is a shame. I will try weekly feeding more this year.
I've just put in three (!) Moonlight, which I am very excited about. I hope to have a wall of Moonlight in a few years time. Good for the bees.
Posts
I like all of those really, just not if the hybrid tea is too sharp - a lot depends on colour too.
I still don’t really like red roses and I hate “artificial” looking colours.
Ive got a fair mix - but my favourite so far in terms of shape is Royal Jubilee (top photo, top left) very peony like. But I’ve started to like others that I wouldn’t have thought of purchasing before.
Maybe I’ll buy a bright red pointy hybrid tea one day.....but I doubt it!!
To many people today it seems, the only rose is a David Austin rose and I think they're missing out on so many others... albeit our gardens are usually of such limited size that it's not always practical to experiment too much.. and the costs of experimentation mount up too.. it can take a long time... back in the day most of us started out with hybrid tea roses and floribundas because they were the most popular and that's all we knew... then you discover other types, and move on, finding you like those different types more...
Now, due to the clever marketing, most people start out with Austin roses, yet I've long been of the opinion that they are not wholly suited to those new to gardening, or new to roses... they need patience and understanding... but they wouldn't like to tell you that..
..just saying..
Every one of them looks different.
Ive said before that I think a lot of the DA thing is clever marketing. You either need to know what you’re doing or have the space/money/patience to experiment as you say - look on any site and there’s so much choice it’s tricky to navigate. DA make it easy.
Luckily I’m very patient and just enjoy watching them develop, so they suit me fine! 🙂
I’ve still got a soft spot for Amber Queen. Although I must guard that soft spot very carefully as she’s very thorny!
I also like Etoile du Hollande but I am finding the blooms appear too heavy for their stems. Although it's over 3 years old, it's in a very tough spot so that may be why.