David Austin Roses, Shropshire - rose gardens tour

David Austin Roses with a guided tour of the gardens

Albrighton, Shropshire

 

Nestled in the Shropshire countryside with a Visitor Centre, the award-winning rose gardens are home to the National Collection of English Roses.

 

The abundance of colour and fragrance overwhelms the senses, making it a truly breathtaking experience. It is a wonderful place to stroll and relax. Considered to be one of the finest rose gardens in the world, it is one of only three gardens in England to have received the 'Award of Garden Excellence' from the World Federation of Rose Societies.

 

David Austin Roses have created a large rose garden which many consider to be one of the most beautiful in the world. There are six themed gardens with over 700 different varieties of roses are planted in the garden which now covers around 2 acres (0.8 HA). The garden is divided into a number of smaller areas, each with its own style. The overall concept is to enclose the exuberant and rather informal growth of the roses within neatly clipped evergreen hedges. Providing focal points in the garden are many fine pieces of sculpture by the late Mrs Pat Austin, a very talented artist. There are places around the garden where visitors can sit, relax and enjoy the flowers and their fragrances.

 

THE LONG GARDEN

The Long Garden forms the central core of the rose garden, with the other gardens leading from it. It contains our collection of old roses, which generally flower once in early summer. The Long Garden also includes modern shrub roses and many English Roses to extend the flowering season. The whole garden is interlaced with pergolas, which display many climbing and rambling roses. Later in the season the rambling roses produce many small hips.

 

THE VICTORIAN WALLED GARDEN

The Victorian Walled Garden is a formal garden made up of three circular borders, which diminish in width towards the centre. They are planted with English Roses and other repeat-flowering shrub roses. The focal point of the garden is the large central stone carving. Visitors can also admire the natural beauty of the English Climbers and Ramblers trained over arches, arbours and along the eight foot wall which encircles the garden.

 

THE RENAISSANCE GARDEN

The National Collection of English Roses is held in the gardens at Albrighton. The Renaissance Garden is perhaps the most beautiful of all the gardens, and is devoted to English Roses. These roses start flowering in late May and continue right through to the frosts of early winter. This lovely garden demonstrates the great versatility of the English Roses, with their wide range of flowers and fragrances, habits and sizes.

 

THE LION GARDEN

The Lion Garden has been redesigned and the sculpture moved to create a focal point. Four long borders mingle shrub roses, including many English Roses, with herbaceous perennials, creating a wonderful contrast of colour, form, texture and scent. The borders are punctuated by magnificent standard roses, which add height and structure to the garden.

 

THE PATIO GARDEN

Our patio garden features English specimen roses in a variety of large, decorative terracotta planters. English Roses, with their gracefully rounded, shrubby growth, are ideal for growing in this way. They bring character and interest to the gravelled area around the Plant Centre and their beautiful, deliciously fragrant flowers can be easily enjoyed at close quarters.

 

THE SPECIES GARDEN

The Species Garden contains the true wild roses and their near hybrids. This is one of the first to flower and is at its most beautiful in early summer. After flowering, the hips develop and will be in full colour by the autumn. Birds can often be found in this garden, eating the seeds. Please ask for a free garden map when you arrive at the plant centre. This is designed to help you enjoy the gardens and will be a pleasant reminder of your visit.

 

There is also a gift shop, plant centre and restaurant.

David Austin Roses