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David Austin roses

first time gardenerfirst time gardener Posts: 26
in Plants

hello! I was just wondering if anybody knew when my David Austin 'spirit of freedom' rose is due to bloom please? I can't find any info on their website? I hope it's late flowering and will flower! I can't see any buds yet. TIA

just to add, I bought it last year and it did flower but I can't remember when

Last edited: 13 June 2016 08:44:11

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  • ObelixxObelixx Posts: 30,087

    Most roses begin flowering in late May depending on how warm and sunny it's been.   This year, most of mine are late.

    If yours doesn't have buds showing give it an instant tonic of liquid tomato food and some slow release specialist rose food.   A weekly drink of tomato food will also help but stop in mid July.   Next autumn, give it a mulch of god garden compost or well rotted manure and next spring give it the slow release rose food in March or early April depending on how cold and wet it is.

    Vendée - 20kms from Atlantic coast.
    "The price good men (and women) pay for indifference to public affairs is to be ruled by evil men (and women)."
    Plato
  • first time gardenerfirst time gardener Posts: 26

    Thanks for that :) 

  • Lou12Lou12 Posts: 1,149

    They do vary, my new David Austins aren't doing anything yet as my back garden is shady for part of the day. The established ones started flowering last week so it depends on your garden and soil.

    As Obelixx says I also feed mine in the flowering season with tomato or rose food once a week and that helps plus deadheading routinely.

  • lilysillylilysilly Posts: 511

    Here's mine, first bud fully opened yesterday. This is its third summer, and I'm in warmer Devon though today it's very chilly.imageimage

  • Lou12Lou12 Posts: 1,149

    Look at that beauty, I'll bet it smells lovely too.

  • lilysillylilysilly Posts: 511

    Lou it smells lush, a bit fruity. 

  • first time gardenerfirst time gardener Posts: 26

    They have the most beautiful fragrance. I cut mine to have indoors. My rose is in a large container with go multi purpose compost and I've watered with miracle grow in spring. I mulched with compost in spring too and dead headed last year. It's been very cold in Newcastle so maybe that's why. I'll be devastated if it doesn't bloom this year. It's in a container because I want to train it as a small climber up the front of my house. Your roses are stunning by the way :) 

  • Lou12Lou12 Posts: 1,149

    Ah Newcastle, yes that's probably why it's late then. I'm on the warm south coast and still have no flowers on some of them.

    Last edited: 13 June 2016 12:06:16

  • first time gardenerfirst time gardener Posts: 26

    There's still hope then :) 

  • lilysillylilysilly Posts: 511

    Ftg would it be at all possible for you to plant your Spirit of Freedom rose in the ground. Mine is a climber too and it sends out long, leafy stems that are heavy when in full flower. I would worry yours would not get enough nutrients and water in a pot as mine is a strong grower and could possibly grow over 8ft in height. I've got a David Austin rose recommended for a pot, growing in a large pot and its a faff keeping it moist, top dressed and mulched. I wish I could find a space for it in my borders. Also my friend had a rose in a pot for a few years and it rooted through the drainage holes deep into the ground. She only discovered this when her planter was damaged and she wanted to replace it.                 

    Lou, I'm being nosy, what new David Austin roses have you got? ?

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