Roses- Queen of flowers Cotinues

William Shakespeare

is one of my favourite playwrights. But the David Austin English rose that bears his name has been unspectacular in my garden - until this summer.

At the risk of sounding foolish, I wonder if my earlier William Shakespeares (two of them) just weren't on the 'right' rootstock. Their growth was spindly and weak, the flowers tried their best, but nothing really happened! Last birthday a friend gave me a William Shakespeare rose. Another one! Aargh! How nice..

The old-fashioned rose Complicata. Old-Fashioned Roses

I don't grow many old-fashioned roses in my garden - yet! I'm interested in trying out some more, though - and visits to old-fashioned rose gardens always inspire me to write huge lists. I love the history which accompanies old roses - many are named after real people from history, too...

Anonymous garden roses. Garden Roses

Anonymous roses in the Moosey garden cannot be ignored. It isn't their fault that they are nameless. Often garden plants are rescued from bargain bins and sale tables at the local nurseries, and come to live in the Moosey garden. Others are offered a good home in the country from existing gardens - I've gained many of my treasures this way...

The name says it all - as if it is describing the head gardener! English Elegance is a beautiful David Austin English rose, with flat (and fat) petal-laden flower-heads.

Like Gardener, Like Rose...

As a person who was born in England I feel a great affinity with this rose (particularly when apres-gardening in white linen flowering shirt, trendy indigo jeans, and anti-aging face cream freshly applied)...

My English Elegance rose bush was rescued from the bargain bin. It's the favourite rose of a work friend, and so I grabbed it (she has such good taste!) and brought it home to live in the Willow Tree Garden. I love the mixed up pastel colours, and the ruffled petals.