Shropshire Star

Lord of the Roses drops in as Shropshire nursery lands 19th Chelsea Flower Show gold

Legendary actor Sir Ian McKellen can sniff out an award winner and he was drawn to the roses at Shropshire-based David Austin Roses stand at the Chelsea Flower Show.

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The 75-year-old, who has starred in Hollywood blockbuster epics The Lord of the Rings and X-Men, was snapped enjoying one of the new flowers being shown off by the Albrighton nursery, which has won yet another Chelsea honour.

The long-running family firm, based near Albrighton, won its 19th gold medal at Chelsea for its rose display garden. Three generations were on hand to celebrate the nursery's latest success.

David C. Austin, head of David Austin Roses, said: "We were thrilled Sir Ian paid a visit to our garden.

"He appeared to very much enjoy taking in the heady scents of our roses.

"He was one of a number of celebrities we welcomed in and they all seemed to be very impressed with what they saw."

"Chelsea is always special for me because it gives me the opportunity to work closely with my wonderful team here at David Austin Roses to create a truly spectacular garden," added Mr Austin.

"For that garden to then go on and win gold, gives me the utmost satisfaction."

Mr Austin's son, David J. Austin, is managing director while his son, and the owner's grandson, Richard Austin, is head of marketing.

The family head said the win – the 19th at Chelsea – was especially pleasing following the unveiling of three new varieties of English Roses in the David Austin garden for the event, organised by the Royal Horticultural Society and running until Saturday.

Guests, including a host of celebrities, were wowed by 'Desdemona', 'The Ancient Mariner' and 'Sir Walter Scott'.

Mr Austin said he was "absolutely delighted" to win gold again at Chelsea and praised staff at his nursery that have worked hard through the year.

TV cook Nigel Slater is given a tour

He explained the qualities of the three blooms that won gold, saying: "Desdemona is an exquisitely beautiful variety with an exceptionally long flowering season.

"The white chalice-shaped blooms are tinged with pink at first and have an intense myrrh fragrance. It forms a strong shrub with broad, open growth.

"The Ancient Mariner is an extremely floriferous, larger than average shrub that is ideal for creating impact in the border.

"It is beautiful at all stages and bears masses of many petalled, glowing pink blooms. There is a strong, warm myrrh scent.

"Finally, Sir Walter Scott is of a very different character from the general run of English roses due to its Scottish rose heritage. It combines the charm and robustness of the Scottish roses with the fragrance and prolific repeat-flowering of our English roses. Because of that it is a very useful addition to our collection."

David C. Austin started the company in 1969 and was awarded the Victoria Medal of Honour by the Royal Horticultural Society in 2003 for his services to horticulture.

David Austin Roses added three more gold medals to its increasingly cramped cabinet last year after scooping awards for its spectacular display gardens at BBC Gardeners World Live in Birmingham; the Courson Flower Show, just outside Paris; and the Chelsea Flower Show.

The Shropshire nurseries at Chelsea were among a large number of West Midland entrants.

Birmingham Cathedral helped the city to scoop gold for the fourth successive year for its spectacular five-metre-tall replica of the iconic building's bell tower.

The city's entry for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show – '300 Years at the Heart' – was designed to celebrate 300 years of Birmingham's St Philip's Cathedral.

Judith Chalmers enjoys the David Austin flowers on display

A delighted Darren Share, Head of Parks for Birmingham City Council, said: "The team has worked incredibly hard to bring home a Gold from Chelsea.

"Celebrating 300 years of Birmingham Cathedral has not been without challenges but staff have shown creativity and skill, incorporating structural elements and beautiful flowering plants grown by our expert in-house team.

"The display has once again been entirely sponsored by residents, local businesses and companies with an interest in Birmingham and I can't thank them enough for their support, as well as the dedicated council staff who have put in so much hard work. This continues to show Birmingham as a place of creativity and invention and places us again in the national and international spotlight."

A show garden following the landscape style of Chatsworth House has won top prize at Chelsea.

Designer Dan Pearson took the Best In Show award for his creation which drew on influences from the north Derbyshire estate.

The naturalistic garden included materials and plants from Chatsworth and miniature interpretations of the ornamental trout stream and rock gardens.

Produced in partnership with champagne house Laurent Perrier and plant nursery Crocus, Mr Pearson took inspiration from the plans of 19th century architect Sir John Paxton.

TV presenter George Lamb gets up close to the David Austin roses
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