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Albas
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St. Swithun, Austin 1993. Breeding: Mary Rose X (Chaucer X Conrad Ferdinand Meyer)
St Swithun is considered to be an updated version of Austin's
pink line of roses. It is an improvement in many ways, but as far as
I am concerned, Sharifa Asma is still one
of the finest of all the Austin pinks. No other pink has come close
to showing the refined shrub habit that Sharifa
Asma has, and St. Swithun is no exception. I like both of
these shrubs, but for different reasons. If St. Swithun had the growth
habit of Sharifa Asma, then I would appreciate
it more. It doesn't branch as well as Sharifa
Asma....in fact, in the first season, it has shot up 8 huge 6 foot
long canes that have shown some branching at the ends. I will let you
know how well it does in the coming season.....perhaps it will start
to branch more in the second season. (I'm sure that pruning techniques
will help in this case, but when I first grow a new Austin The
flowers are beautiful, the scent is exceptional, and it reblooms quickly.
I find the fragrance to be one of my favourites, although some people
find it too peculiar. If you are looking for a traditional old rose
scent, then this rose will not be your thing! It is one of the
"Myrrh" type scents that David Austin has been working to breed into
his roses, and as such, it has a sort of soapy, candy-like perfume.
(My mother grows this rose also, and she tells me it smells like Juicy
Fruit gum to her!) I like it a lot, but it's not everybody's taste!
ARS
merit rating: none assigned Original photographs and site content © Paul Barden 1996-2004
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introduction,
I like to see what its natural growth habit is, without pruning in the
first couple years.) Be warned that this will become a very large plant
in the Pacific Northwest and California! 