Pat Austin Rose

Pat Austin is one of the most beautiful of the tall David Austin English shrub roses, and must be named for someone in the breeder's family - yes, it's his wife. It has huge flower-heads which are packed with apricot-pink petals.

I've always loved the richness of the colours which contrasts with the softness of the petals. I call Pat Austin my 'Fruit Salad' rose, as the tones remind ne of a bowl of apricot, pineapple, and peach pieces.

The rose Pat Austin is growing up against the warm side of the woodshed, surrounded by a garden tangle of perennials, pansies and annual cornflowers (and dock weeds, I embarrassingly need to add - their roots have got mixed up in the rose roots, making removal difficult).