There was a family celebration at Chelsea this morning when Shropshire father and daughter companies both bagged Silver Gilt.Shropshire rose growers David Austin won a hat trick of royals yesterday and Silver Gilt today in their 25th year at Chelsea Flower Show.
The Albrighton-based company had hoped to seal the anniversary with a gold medal and Michael Marriott, technical manager for David Austin Roses, said this morning: “Of course it’s a bit disappointing not have got the gold but it’s been a difficult year with the dry weather and so on - but we are naturally pleased with the award and certainly visitors seem to like our stand.”
Including three of the most distinguished actually. Yesterday the Queen, Princess Alexandra - for whom Austin has named a 2007 rose - and the Duchess of Gloucester all visited the Austin stand in Chelsea’s Grand Pavilion.
The success continued with David Austin’s daughter, Claire Austin Hardy Plants of Shawbury, who holds the national iris collection, also being awarded the prestigious medal and announcing herself “absolutely delighted.”
Meanwhile it was silver for Telford. This morning, the Thomas Telford Toll House Garden was officially declared third best of the show gardens with an exhibit its designers say easily cost the least to create in their section.
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Wonderful David Austin roses, The one I love best is Pat Austin, the colour of the setting sun…. which it seems one has to have to be patient with as its head droops for the first couple of years. “Don’t prune it too harsly”.. said the Bob Dylan look alike (who’s been there for years)!
We have lots of DA roses slightly startled ones over pillars Hymalian Musk, lovely delicate perfume like the one time favourite ladies’ Ponds Vanishing Cream:-)But fifty feet?!
Another thiung I love is the dark green pots into which I put things like Californian poppies to bury right in the soil all over the place as surprise that jumps out and says “boo”:-)