Imogen (Photo by David Austin Roses)
We recently received the annual news release from David Austin Roses announcing their new introductions for 2018. These three varieties will be available to U.S. and Canadian gardeners in the spring of 2018 through the David Austin web site. Since Austin roses are so popular with our blog followers, we thought we would share the news about these beautiful roses.
Roald Dahl (Photo by David Austin Roses)
The first rose is called ‘Roald Dahl’, a shrub rose named after the writer of James and the Giant Peach. According to Michael Marriott, the technical director and senior rosarian of David Austin Roses, the color of this rose is “marvelously, perfectly peach.” The buds open to reveal cupped peach rosettes that grow on a rounded, bushy shrub. An added bonus to this rose is its tea fragrance. ‘Roald Dahl’ blooms throughout the season and is described as highly disease-resistant.
Imogen (Photo by David Austin Roses)
‘Imogen’ is the second variety for 2018 and has soft lemon-colored blooms that fade to a pale cream. If you look closely at the photograph, you can see the petals surround a classic button eye reminiscent of Gallica and Damask roses. The delicate cream color outer petals that surround the softer yellow inner petals create beautiful clusters of roses on an upright shrub.
Bathsheba (Photo by David Austin Roses)
The third introduction is a climbing rose called ‘Bathsheba’ that has a myrrh fragrance. and large apricot blooms. ‘Bathsheba’ is described as short climber which may make it perfect for a smaller garden. The rosette shaped blooms are a blend of various colors from pale yellow to yellow to apricot with numerous petals that create an overall charming display.
Presently these 3 varieties are only available at www.davidaustin.com and are sold on a first-come basis. Order early, so you won’t be disappointed. These roses will not be available in U.S. garden centers until the Spring of 2019.
