I fell in love with David Austin's Charles Darwin rose the first moment I saw its large, full blooms. I've never seen a rose so packed full of petals. It was mesmerizing to me. And the color - yellow, with a touch of apricot - is also beautiful to me. Romantic is the perfect word for a rose with this form and color.
But there are people that would disagree with me. I've read some of their rantings. They call this rose ugly. And you might agree with them. Because basically, Charles Darwin evolves. Yes, it's the perfect name for this rose.
It evolves from the most beautiful shade of yellow to a faded white.
And then, it evolves again to a cream with a blush of pink.
Charles Darwin is said to grow to 4 ft tall and 3 ft wide. But you can clearly see mine is acting more like a climber, throwing limbs in every direction, with blooms all along the canes. Perhaps I should keep it pruned shorter. Perhaps it will straighten up when it gets older. Perhaps it will evolve into a stiff caned, upright rose. But for now, it has a very loose form, a form that I enjoy.
Charles Darwin rose will grow in zones 5 to 10, is scented and almost thornless. It's a rose that evolves. You either love it or hate it.
I think this is such a beautiful rose ~ I can't even imagine hating it!! And seeing your roses makes me so excited about the new English roses I have planted in my garden. I have read that I am supposed to prune my roses in the summer to keep them from becoming climbers. I guess time will tell what they will do.
ReplyDeleteIt's true that English roses can grow bigger here in some parts of the US than they get in England. And I have one climber that I keep pruned as a shrub. But I think it would be much happier, and much prettier, grown as a climber. I hope you love your English roses. Most of them are so very beautiful.
DeleteI can't imagine anyone hating this rose! It is so lovely! And the fact that you get several shades when the flowers mature, that's certainly just a bonus, isn't it? I love David Austin roses, and I wish I had room for Charles Darwin, if I could only manage to squeeze him in somewhere I would let him move in any day :-)
ReplyDeleteI think they hate that white shade. If it were soft yellow instead, perhaps they would think differently. It certainly is surprising when one looks at it, expecting yellow blooms, and sees white ones instead! You're pretty good at squeezing plants in - maybe one day you'll find room for him! :)
Deleteis it possible to hate a rose? Well, i don't think so, but that is just my opinion. One interesting thing with most yellow roses is that they turn white/pink when they age. I think it makes them more enjoyable as they change.
ReplyDeleteYou are right that yellow roses have the habit of fading as they age. This one fades more than most, and I think a lot of people are looking for the opposite - one that doesn't fade at all. But I don't mind the mix of colors, especially in a vase.
DeleteIt caught my eye right away on your header. What a unique color!
ReplyDeleteI do love that color. At one time, I actually had a dining room that was almost exactly this same color. I loved it, and always felt a little like I was in a garden even indoors.
DeleteI LOVE it! You know why??? It feels vintage and romantic like you said! I can picture its soft hues adorning tables and bouquets at a wedding! Just stunning!!!
ReplyDeleteYou are right - it is a bit vintage looking! I think the mix of colors in a vase make it even more interesting.
DeleteI love it! It's such a beautiful rose. Happy gardening!
ReplyDeleteThis has become possibly my favorite rose - at least for this year! :)
DeleteWhat a fabulous colour! I love it!
ReplyDeleteI love colors that have a lot of different undertones to them. And yellow, and all its shades, is one of my favorite colors.
DeleteIt has an elegant and understated colour Holley, nice!
ReplyDeleteI like that word - elegant. I think this color is elegant, too. :)
DeleteOK your roses are dangerous...they are creating an obsession that is doomed for my climate...my roses are hit or miss but boy if I could I would have more...
ReplyDeleteThat's the most important thing about roses. You have to find the right ones for your particular climate. I hope you can find some hardy ones that will satisfy your growing obsession. :)
DeleteHow could anyone hate a beautiful plant!!?? I love the color and the form. I'd love to have it in my garden!
ReplyDeleteIt would be beautiful in your garden, Christy! :)
Delete4 ft high in England perhaps....you are in Texas where one adds at least a third to the "size".
ReplyDeleteDo you ever decide that a rose has to go... there just is not enough space one the plant matures or that you want to grow something besides roses.... like a daisy?
You're right - a lot of roses get bigger here! I do cull my roses if I don't think they're performing well under my tough requirements, usually one or two a year, and you're right - I am having a hard time getting a few of mine to "fit" in their allotted spaces (I'm talking Mutabilis here!). Sometimes I will plant roses too close together, but I generally have no problem transplanting them. And I do grow a lot of things besides roses, but generally only as a rose companion! ;) I often worry about rose diseases hitting my garden, because without roses, my garden would be quite bare.
DeleteThis is a beautiful rose.
ReplyDeleteI've fallen in love with it!
DeleteTwo words: simply gorgeous! :)
ReplyDelete~Sheryl @ Flowery Prose
That's what I think! ;)
DeleteI just do not see how anyone could hate a Rose. I do find the colour of this one a bit wishy washy but I'd still like it in my garden.
ReplyDeleteThe only problem I find with Dave Austen roses is choosing one, I love looking through his catalogue but I could never choose one because I want them all.
Linda - The Tenacious Gardener
His catalog is very enticing! I completely understand about wanting them all!
DeleteThat color is so unique - I love it! Almost a coppery color. I just planted some Austins (for the first time)... I'm hoping they do well here. We have cold winters and I don't want to spray, so I'm not sure if they'll be tough enough, but couldn't resist giving them a try, they're so gorgeous. How disease-resistant is Charles Darwin for you? Does it get blackspot at all?
ReplyDeleteTo be as pretty as it is, It is quite resistant - but, of course, not bullet-proof. Most of the time, it looks very good, and even when it does get a case of blackspot, it's nothing like some of my other roses. But it does get it when the conditions are just right. I hope your Austins do well for you, and that they are tougher than you anticipate.
DeleteThis rose reminds me of a peony. How large are the flowers? I know people tend to go for pink in a cottage garden but I think this colour would work very well too. I'm imagining the soft cream in the last light of the day.
ReplyDeleteThe blooms are around 2-1/2 to 3". If they opened up fully, they would be much bigger, there are so many petals! But they keep that rounded form, which I absolutely love.
DeleteI am on team love it! I am a fan of the antique type roses!
ReplyDeleteA cheer for Team Love! :)
DeleteCharles Darwin is a perfect name for a gorgeous rose. Thanks for sharing such beauty, Holley.
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Betsy
I do think it's a pretty rose. I'm actually not that fond of the name, but don't tell David Austin! ;)
DeleteCount me in as a Darwinist!
ReplyDelete:) Made me smile!
DeleteI think it's the perfect color - almost neutral and goes with everything. Well, almost anything.
ReplyDeleteIt does go well with a lot of pastels, and I like that the color is a bit of unexpected.
DeleteHolley, lovely roses! I would like to grow them as well. Unfortunately Austins are not hardy in our climate, it's very pity!
ReplyDeleteOh, so sorry, Nadezda. Some climates are just not kind to roses.
DeleteThe form of Darwin is beautiful! I think the colors are interesting. But cream and white roses may be the colors that are not in most people's gardens.
ReplyDeleteI would plant this one! (Just give me a bit more room in my city lot!)
I think most people that like yellow roses hate to see them fade. But this one fades so much, it's like an entirely different color. I am beginning to understand about running out of room. It's hard not to try to squeeze just one more thing in!
DeleteI love your description "a rose that evolves" sounds very provocative. It looks (from your photos) old fashioned, luxurious and feminine!
ReplyDeleteDavid Austin does put out some beautiful, old fashioned looking roses!
Deletei absolutely love those beauties........so u grow them in ur garden?
ReplyDeleteYes, this rose is in my garden. Roses do well here, so I have learned to love them.
DeleteHow could you hate it??????? (Unless you were against evolution, when you might object to the name.)
ReplyDeleteThat is a consideration. In that case, though, one could always "forget" its name! :)
DeleteI agree with everyone else...how can anyone hate this! Moi? Tiz gorjuss!
ReplyDeleteI think it's gorgeous, too! :)
DeleteIt's a superb colour - couldn't even begin to imagine hating it. It reminds me of those luscious double Brompton stocks in pale peach, white, pink and mauve - easily good enough to eat. I wish I didn't keep adding roses to my list of 'to buy'!
ReplyDeleteCathy, if you're like me, you'll keep adding to the list until you just have no more room to put another one! :)
DeleteI am a Rose-a-holic and feel a strong urge to grow all the lovely English roses. I had not seen this one until I saw it on your header, Holley, and fell in love. Now I have to track it down and buy it ! We live about 2 hours away from the David Austin Rose Centre in Albrighton, Uk. I can feel an (expensive) visit coming on ...
ReplyDeleteOh, that could be a dangerous trip, Jane! It would be both a blessing and a curse to live so close!
DeleteCount me in! It's a beautiful rose! Thank you for introducing a new one to me, Holly!
ReplyDelete