Looking up into ‘William Morris’ blooms on my front wall.
I know that I am not very good at caring for my roses. This year I have tried to turn over a new leaf. We do have blackspot here and, even though I treat the roses systemically, they do still suffer from this.
I have a glorious ‘William Morris’ climbing rose growing up the front of Pinks Barn and the fact that it is thriving has little or nothing to do with me – it obviously thrives on neglect!
I made the decision this year that I would prune it properly and put up suitable wires to help it support all the glorious blooms. It seems to approve.
Bill and I have recently been to visit David Austin’s Roses in Albrighton, not far from Bridgenorth. My lovely kids bought me vouchers for afternoon tea and a rose for my 70th Birthday last year, but because of the Covid pandemic the nursery had been closed for 15 months. David Austin roses are available from many garden centres but going to visit the real thing is something else. You can see from the pictures that the main gardens around the property where simply difficult to believe.
We have visited the gardens before and this year the flowers were exceptional. I chose a lovely pink climbing rose named after the famous garden designer, ‘Gertrude Jekyll’, which is now planted at the front of Pinks Barn.
I have treated myself to a bottle of Uncle Tom’s Rose Tonic (not something to mix with gin!) which I am told will give all my David Austin roses a lift, and then they perhaps will forgive me for the neglect.
Borders at David Austin – inspiration for partner plants. 
A whole walk devoted to climbers.
My new girl ‘Gertrude’!
