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Roses by English breeder David Austin are undoubtedly some of the finest. They outwardly resemble old varieties, but for the most part they bloom repeatedly or continuously, they are more resistant to diseases, and the aromas are so strong and varied that only from them you can make a collection. English roses do not compete with hybrid tea, since they almost never have cone-shaped flowers - D. Austin simply rejects such plants and does not release them on the market.
Today we will get acquainted with the Pat Austin rose - the pearl of the collection and the variety that has collected a lot of both rave reviews and critics.
Description of the variety
Rose "Pat Austin" was created at the end of the last century, presented to the public in 1995 and named after D. Austin's beloved wife Pat. It originates from two of the most famous varieties - the pink-apricot "Abraham Derby" and the bright yellow "Graham Thomas".
- Abraham Darby
- Graham Thomas
Rose "Pat Austin" has changed the idea of the standards of beauty of the Austin - it was previously believed that all of them must certainly have soft pastel shades, distinguished by purity and tenderness. The color of this rose is difficult to describe, and it cannot be called soft and tender; rather, it is bright, catchy, even defiant. The bright yellow, with a copper tint, the inner side of the petals is harmoniously combined with the pale yellow color of the reverse. As the rose ages, the copper color fades to pink or coral, and the yellow to cream.
Since semi-double or double flowers of the Pat Austin variety are often short-lived, one can simultaneously observe such a mixture of colors on a huge glass that it is difficult to name them all. Most of the rose petals are bent inward so that the stamens cannot be seen, the outer ones are wide open. Unfortunately, at high temperatures, the flower ages so quickly that it does not have time to bloom completely.
The bush of this rose is spreading, it usually grows one meter in height, while reaching 1.2 meters in width. Dark green large leaves perfectly set off flowers, the size of which can reach 10-12 cm. Roses are sometimes single, but more often they are collected in brushes of 3-5 pieces, rarely - 7. Unfortunately, the shoots of the Pet Austin variety cannot be called powerful and under the weight of cupped glasses, they lean to the ground, and in rainy weather they can even lie down.
The flowers have a strong tea rose scent, which some consider even excessive. They open earlier than most other varieties and cover the bush abundantly from mid-June to autumn. David Austin recommends growing this variety in the sixth climatic zone, but he is a well-known reinsurer in everything related to frost resistance, with sufficient cover, the rose winters wonderfully in the fifth zone. Her resistance to diseases is average, but to the soaking of buds it is low. This means that prolonged rainy weather will not allow the flower to open, moreover, the petals deteriorate and rot from excessive moisture.
Disadvantages of the variety
You can often find discrepancies in the description of the variety: different heights of the bush can be indicated, the size of the flower varies from 8-10 to 10-12 cm (for roses this is a significant difference), and the number of buds is from 1-3 to 5-7. Many complain that the petals fly around quickly and live for less than a day, while according to reviews of other gardeners, they last for almost a week.
What all, without exception, agree on, is that the shoots of the Pat Austin rose are too weak for such large flowers, and in order to see it well, you need to raise the glass. And in rainy weather, the rose behaves very badly - the buds do not open, and the petals rot.
Sometimes one gets the impression that we are talking about two different varieties. Unfortunately, it is not only those who speak of the Pat Austin rose in superlatives that are right. What is the reason for this? Are the peculiarities of our climate to blame or are we ourselves? Interestingly, no one complains about the winter hardiness of the rose even in the fifth zone - if it was covered, then the flower will overwinter at least satisfactorily.
What can you say here? For all its attractiveness, the rose really has a very low resistance to rain, which is honestly said in the description of the variety. She really does not like heat - the flowers age quickly, become almost 2 times smaller and crumble, not having time to fully open. But other conflicting characteristics require more careful consideration.
Features of placement and care
We are accustomed to the fact that roses are rather unpretentious plants and after rooting we take little care of them. Not Pat Austin.
It can constantly hurt and give small buds just because you planted a bush in the sun. It's good for other roses, but "Pat Austin" is a true inhabitant of foggy Albion. She will feel good in the Moscow region, but the residents of Ukraine and Stavropol will have to tinker with her.
- In hot climates, it is better not to plant it, and if you are a fan of this particular variety of roses, place it in a shady place where the sun shines only a few hours a day, preferably before lunchtime.
- If you feed other varieties somehow and with what came to hand, then you cannot do this with the Pat Austin variety - it must receive the right amount of nutrients throughout the season. Look at the photo of how beautiful a rose can be with good care.
- In order for the shoots to become more durable, pay special attention to the autumn feeding with phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, you can even spend them not 2, but 3 with an interval of 2-3 weeks if the weather is warm.
- Do not neglect the foliar dressing of the Pat Austin rose, and it is highly desirable to add a chelate complex, epin, to the fertilizer bottle. zircon and humates. They need to be carried out every two weeks.
- To prevent powdery mildew and black spot, add systemic fungicides to the cocktail, alternating with each spraying.
- In order to grow a scrub (a sprawling bush with thick drooping branches) in the spring, roses are cut quite a bit, removing frozen and thinnest shoots, and to get a compact bush with many flowers - by 2/3.
"Pat Austin" in landscape design
The rich rare color determines the frequent use of roses of this variety in garden design, and shade tolerance allows them plant in places where other flowers will simply wither away. The rose will look great both in low hedges and as a tapeworm - the color of the buds will stand out especially against the background of green spaces.
Even the fact that the branches droop under the weight of huge flowers can be beaten - this feature of them is just right for a garden or a corner in a romantic style. You can plant sage, lupins, delphiniums, chamomile or other flowers of blue, white or red in companions to the rose. Neighboring Queen Victoria's favorite cuff plant will give the garden a special atmosphere. The abundance of sculptures, bridges, benches and secluded gazebos, due to the peculiarities of the style, will only benefit from the neighborhood with such an impressive rose.
Conclusion
Of course, the "Pat Austin" rose is not easy to care for and, if it is neglected or improperly placed, will not show its best side. But this does not stop lovers of English roses from purchasing this variety. And whether you are ready to pay a lot of attention to the capricious beauty or plant a more unpretentious flower - it's up to you.
