Often visitors ask me what my favourite rose is, and I usually can’t decide, but in recent weeks and on reflection, I think it is Lady of Shalott. I have written about this rose several times and have at present two in the garden, although in pots. Even though I had shared any information I knew on this beautiful rose previously, I did not have my own images when I wrote –Who Killed The Lady Of Shalott.
Lady of Shallot is named after one of Alfred Lord Tennyson’s poems. It tells the tragic story of Elaine of Astolat’s, a young noblewoman stranded in a tower up the river from Camelot. It was bred to commemorate Alfred’s Tennyson’s 200th birth date by the late David Austin, who also loved poetry.
“In all things of nature there is something of the marvelous.”
Aristotle
Lady of Shalott is a prize rose with vibrant, orange-apricot chalice-shaped flowers filled with lovely loose petals, salmon pink and golden-yellow. There is a tea rose scent with hints of spiced apple and cloves. It grows quickly into an arching, bushy shrub with mid-green foliage. Lady of Shallot is highly disease resistant, tolerant of shade and poor soil, and a vigorous grower. This rose has won numerous awards in the USA, UK, France and New Zealand for the quality of the rose and the prolific nature of the blooms. It can be grown in large pots and is excellent for cut flowers—the perfect rose.
The Rose is without an explanation; She blooms, because She blooms.”
Angelus Silesius
It is hard to believe that my Lady of Shallot is blooming as I write because it was completely bare of any foliage just a few weeks ago. It is now lush, green, and stunning, sitting at the back door, continually blooming in that deep apricot colour with loose soft petals.
The exquisite chalice shape bloom in golden orange has a surprising beauty that tends to stop you in your tracks and catches your eye every time one walks past. The bright glowing colour fades to a soft blush as the petals fall, so it is still beautiful even as it finishes.
“A garden is a love song, a duet between a human being and Mother Nature.”
Jeff Cox
For more on this rose read; Lady of Shalott. and Who Killed The Lady Of Shalott.
All content and Images Di Baker 2021 All rights reserved
Title quote by Edmond Jabes
There is peace in the garden. Peace and results.
Ruth Stout