Two new floral characters available – one pink, one yellow
David Austin’s literary varieties for 2020 are roses Silas Marner and The Country Parson, joining the others in the range.
Silas Marner is named after George Eliot’s unassuming, reclusive yet kind-hearted hero of Silas Marner: The Weaver of Raveloe (1861). It is unfussy, soft pink, bearing petals that are pale on the reverse and fade at the edges. Held on red stems, the medium-sized cupped blooms have relaxed, almost ruffled petals set around an attractive button eye. Read more about David Austin’s rose Penelope Lively.
Old Rose fragrance
Flanked by glossy, dark green foliage, the rose has a medium-strong Old Rose fragrance. There are accents of fruity lemon, green banana and apricot. A very healthy variety, Silas Marner forms a medium-sized shrub of arching growth. Shade-tolerant, its fresh pink blooms will sing out in shadier spots. You can combine plants with grey-toned foliage in a bed or border.
Paying tribute to James Woodforde’s The Diary of a Country Parson (1758-1802), The Country Parson (Ausclergy) is a feisty rose. Of Scottish descent, it bears fully open, medium-large, almost flat rosettes of pure yellow.
Fragrance of Roses – Silas Marner and The Country Parson
Appearing gracefully translucent towards the outer edges of each bloom, the petals create a ‘halo’ effect. It features greyish-green leaves and modest spiny thorns. This tough little rose is softened by a medium-strong fragrance, a fruity blend of sweet apricot, green apple and honey.
Robust and healthy, it forms a rounded, small to medium-sized shrub, giving blooms from June through to the first frosts. The Country Parson can be planted in a pot on patios which may only get a few hours of sun. Alternatively, plant en masse as a hedge or as a group of three in a border.
Literary-inspired – Roses, Silas Marner, and The Country Parson
The new arrivals join the other literature-inspired roses, such as The Mill on the Floss, Eustacia Vye, Lady of Shalott, Emily Bronté and The Pilgrim. Richard Austin, head of marketing, said: “We look forward to showing the new varieties for the first time at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May.”
Silas Marner and The Country Parson are available now, along with the Handbook of Roses. For more information, visit www.davidaustinroses.co.uk.
