Charles Austin Rose

Charles Austin is one of the most beautiful of the tall David Austin English shrub roses, and was named for the breeder's father. 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 Charles Austin my 'Fruit Salad' rose, as the tones remind ne of a bowl of apricot, pineapple, and peach pieces.

The rose Charles 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).