Sunday, February 19, 2023

Climate change prunes many roses from catalogues


Waving goodbye to my gorgeous, fragrant Munstead Wood

When you opened your David Austin Handbook of Roses for 2023, you may have noticed some old favorites are missing.

Recently David Austin Roses based in Albrighton, England announced that “the ongoing challenges of global warming and an increase in pests means that the business has been forced to retire popular flower varieties, including Munstead Wood and A Shropshire Lad.”

Paul Constantine of David Austin Roses said "As the leading experts in rose breeding and care for over 60 years, we are well-placed to witness the environmental changes that impact the health of the nation's favourite flower. We cannot stand still and observe as we see diseases and pests evolve as conditions and climates change, threatening the health and success of some of our most popular varieties.”

 Mr. Constantine went on to say that they will be re-trialing many of their roses and in some circumstances, retiring popular varieties. "Whilst these plants may continue to do well in some circumstances, in the long term the changing conditions mean that we recommend alternative varieties that are better suited to the changing environment.”

A Shropshire Lad courtesy David Austin
 The firm has been in business for six decades since David Austin, Sr. started a breeding program to create “new” old fashioned roses with the charm of yesteryear and the ability to rebloom. They realize this decision may well lead financial losses, but felt they had no choice.

Jude is about to become more obscure
 Many plants in England are already blooming earlier than in the past including common lilac, English oak, horse chestnut and narcissi, or daffodil. If global temperatures continue to increase at their current rate, spring in the UK could eventually start in February, according to experts from Cambridge University.

That means many rose varieties may face hot summers they cannot tolerate which will make them more susceptible to pests and disease. The story is Munstead Wood is ravaged by pests and is no longer a suitable choice. The nursery recommends other varieties such as Dame Judy Dench and Scarborough Fair for UK gardeners. 

Taking a bow, Dame Judy Dench
 So, what does that mean for English Rose lovers here in the US?

For starters, Graham Thomas, Munstead Wood, Lady Emma Hamilton, Abraham Darby, Jude the Obscure are being discontinued. Others will likely follow next year. So, if you want any of these roses in your garden, do try to get your hands on one this spring.

I’ve grown Munstead Wood in my garden for many years and have never had a pest problem. I’ve also been enchanted by Jude the Obscure. And who hasn’t loved the delightful, blousy buttery yellow blooms of Graham Thomas?

An old fave for many, Graham Thomas
 I grow Dame Judy Dench as well. It occasionally produces a beautiful flower but is a blackspot magnet. Then again, I live in the North Carolina mountains so my “climate” may be better for some roses rather than others.

But it is now certain that climate change is going to affect many aspects of our lives, apparently including the flowers we love in our gardens. Sadly, we cannot turn back the clock.

Buh bye, Lady Emma
All I can say for now is Munstead, Graham, Jude and Lady Emma, thanks for the beautiful memories.

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 https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRVV4338?ref_=pe_3052080_276849420




 

 

 

 

 

3 comments :

The Principal Undergardener said...

A sobering look at the reality of climate change and how it affects gardens. Here in southern New England, we have had a nearly-snow-free winter (though with enough rain to have wiped away last summer's severe drought). Still, the ground never truly froze and I suspect it means too many 'bad' insects will successfully over-winter; which augurs poorly for summer blooms and vegetables. Sorry to offer such a down comment on such a thoughtful article!

Lynn Hunt said...

Thank you Principal Undergardener for you thoughts. I fear you are correct. We've had no snow this year but did have that horrible cold spell over Christmas that has killed several of my plants in my "driveway garden." We'll see what happens with pests. We never had Japanese beetles here, but who knows if they will now start showing up.

Anonymous said...

Goodness me! We have Graham Thomas, Munstead Wood (or is it Darcy Bussell?) and Jude the Obscure. Shropshire Lad was on my shopping list - looks like it might be too late for that! Our roses do suffer in intense heat and light in mid-late summer and the flowers wilt, which is a shame.

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