David Austin Wins Gold Medal At Chelsea
June 15, 2010 The Royal Horticulture Society presented David Austin Roses with its 15th Gold Medal in 30 years at the Chelsea Flower Show late last month. David Austin Roses was recognized this time for its Great Pavilion rose display.
David Austin’s Chelsea Flower Show exhibit featured 150 different varieties of Austin’s famed fragrant English Roses. A total of 800 roses were brought into flower for the show, nearly six weeks earlier than they would naturally flower in the garden. The process involves giving roses extra heat and light but can be a tricky proposition.
The Shropshire-based hybridizer dedicated a special greenhouse to the effort, which included three different climate environments plus a shade house. There were also open air and cold storage areas, giving the rosarians freedom to juggle the roses in and out until they achieved perfection.
"Chelsea is always the first show inked in on our calendar – which these days amounts to 50 shows worldwide," says David JC Austin, president of David Austin Roses and son of founder David CH Austin. "2010 was a particularly challenging year due to our unusually long, cold winter, but all the complications seem worthwhile to show well at the world’s premier flower show.”
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