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Winchester Cathedral

SammymummySammymummy Posts: 202
in Plants
Hi all
I have finally decided to take out Margaret Merrill (never had any new basal growth and full of black spots) and am looking for a replacement white rose. The short list is Winchester Cathedral and Sally Holmes and I like the look of Winchester Cathedral. I’ve read it has weak neck, as with many of David Austins. I’d appreciate your experiences of Winchester Cathedral.
Many thanks in advance,
Lydia
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Posts

  • Pete.8Pete.8 Posts: 11,340
    I had 4 many years ago.
    Lovely plants, lovely flowers and lovely scent, but all of the plants had a small percentage of completely pink flowers for some reason.
    I would have bought them from David Austin.

    Billericay - Essex

    Knowledge is knowing that a tomato is a fruit.
    Wisdom is not putting it in a fruit salad.
  • AnniDAnniD Posts: 12,585
    My Mum grew Winchester Cathedral many years ago. If l recall correctly, it was a very pure white, but the flowers did droop. I remember being rather disappointed with it.

    Have you thought about this David Austin Rose? 
    https://www.davidaustinroses.co.uk/products/susan-williams-ellis

  • SalixGoldSalixGold Posts: 450
    edited August 2023
    And the frogs sing at midnight.
  • punkdocpunkdoc Posts: 15,039
    Winchester Cathedral does very well for me [ bought to remember a relative ] Almost continuous flowers from June to October, no real health issues and I don't find it has a "weak neck"
    How can you lie there and think of England
    When you don't even know who's in the team

    S.Yorkshire/Derbyshire border
  • WAMSWAMS Posts: 1,960
    Can you still get Winchester Cathedral? It was one of the ones discontinued by DA last November. Long out of patent but not sure if anyone else stocks it.

    I have it but it is blackspot-prone for me... stripped it last month and even the brand new foliage is BS-riddled.

    Boule de Neige, Jacqueline du Pré and Sarah (stocked by C and K Jones) are white/cream ones with pink or red buds/stamens/tints respectively that I have and personally prefer to WC, though WC is nice, and an interesting rose.
  • Alfie_Alfie_ Posts: 456
    @sammymummy - WC is a nice rose. Scent I would say is medium and pleasant. It is incredibly thorny. Some of the stems are laced with barbs so tiny I have struggled to even just handle cuttings I took without getting spiked. I also have Desdemona and although I have only had it this year it is incredible. Second flush 70-80 blooms with maybe a week tops between flushes. Thats more blooms than WC in its main flush (although it is in a slightly shady spot so maybe not a fair comparison). WC for me takes a long break between flushes. 

    Good luck whichever you decide to go for. 
  • SammymummySammymummy Posts: 202
    Thank you all for your responses and thoughts. I didn’t realise Winchester Cathedral is very thorny. Sadly it’s a no for me… (got rid of a Gertrude Jekyll for that reason). Is Sally Holmes thorny as well?
  • WaterbutWaterbut Posts: 344
    Winchester Cathedral, you are bringing me down.
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