For English rose hybridizer David Austin, May 24th was another golden day at the Chelsea Flower Show as the Royal Horticulture Society presented David Austin Roses with its 15th Gold Medal in 30 years, this time for their Great Pavilion rose display at the 2010 Chelsea Flower Show in London.
David Austin's Chelsea Flower Show exhibit featured 150 different varieties of his famed fragrant English roses. A total of 800 roses were brought into flower for the show, nearly six weeks earlier than they would naturally flower in the garden. The process involves giving the roses extra heat and light but can be a tricky proposition. The Shropshire-based hybridizer dedicated a special greenhouse to the effort, which included three different climate environments plus a shade house. There were also open air and cold storage areas, giving the rosarians freedom to juggle the roses in and out till they achieved perfection.
“Chelsea is always the first show inked in on our calendar - which these days amounts to 50 shows worldwide,” said David JC Austin, president of David Austin Roses and son of founder David CH Austin. “2010 was a particularly challenging year due to our unusually long, cold winter, but all the complications seem worthwhile to show well at the world's premier flower show.”
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