David Austin Roses 37 – Imogen

According to the David Austin Site:

‘Imogen’ is an extremely healthy and floriferous rose with a natural radiance and charm. The exceedingly pretty, soft lemon blooms begin as pointed buds, which become more rounded as they open. The fully open blooms are medium-large in size and very distinctive in character, with many delicately frilled petals arranged around a classic button eye. Over time, they gradually pale to almost cream. The fragrance is light but pleasant, with hints of fresh apple.

The name ‘Imogen’ takes inspiration from the daughter of King Cymbeline, and virtuous wife of Posthumus, in William Shakespeare’s Cymbeline.

Taken with a Sony A77II and Minolta Maxxum AF 50mm f2.8 Macro.

David Austin Roses 36 – Darcey Bussell

According to the David Austin Site:

Good red roses are never easy to breed, so we are particularly pleased to introduce ‘Darcey Bussell’, as we believe it is one of the best and most healthy red roses we have bred to date. Its beautiful flowers are produced freely and with excellent continuity. When young, their outer petals form a perfect ring around an inner cup; gradually opening out to form a perfect rosette. The colour is a deep rich crimson that takes on a tinge of mauve just before the petals drop. It has a pleasing, fruity fragrance with hints of green.

Darcey Bussell is the highly acclaimed ballerina. She was appointed principal at the Royal Ballet at the age of 20 and has danced in the title role of many ballets around the world. She has been honoured with many awards, including the OBE in 1995.

Taken with a Sony A77II and Minolta Maxxum AF 50mm f2.8 Macro.

David Austin Roses 34 – Olivia Rose Austin

According to the David Austin Site:

This is a rather special rose; in fact, it is possibly the best rose that we have introduced to date. Its flowers are a lovely soft shade of pink and are beautiful at all stages. They commence as prettily cupped buds, gradually opening to shallowly cupped, Old Rose style rosettes. Each bloom is about three and a half inches across. It repeat flowers well and has a strong, pleasing fragrance with distinct fruity tints. It is also one of the most disease-resistant of all the roses we know.

Named after the daughter of David Austin Junior and granddaughter of David Austin Senior.

Taken with a Sony A77II and Minolta Maxxum AF 50mm f2.8 Macro.

David Austin Roses 33 – Gentle Hermione

According to the David Austin Site:

This variety bears some of the most perfectly formed flowers of true old rose character. Starting as attractive, nicely rounded buds, the flowers gradually open to shallow cups with perfectly arranged petals. Their colour is pure pink with soft blush on the outside and a lovely pure pink at the centre; the whole effect being totally charming. As the blooms age, the colour of the outer petals softens to a pearly shade. It has excellent health and the petals are particularly resistant to rain. The leaves are tinged red at first, later turning green, then dark green with age. It has a strong, warm, classic Old Rose scent with a hint of myrrh.

Hermione is the faithful wife of Leontes, the King of Sicila, in Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale.

Taken with a Sony A77II and Minolta Maxxum AF 50mm f2.8 Macro.