Rosa ‘Scepter’d Isle’ caught my eye during our visit to Bodnant Garden in Wales this week. The garden opens until 8 o’clock in the evening some Wednesdays during the summer (please check details online before visiting) so we could arrive fashionably late and still enjoy a (very) warm evening stroll.
We had planned to go a week or so earlier – given the choice, I prefer to catch the roses slightly before their peak when they are at their freshest, before the garden has time to need dead-heading. Winds gusting at 35-40mph put paid to that idea. Although the rose garden was a touch further on, it was still looking lovely, with rambling roses in flower on the many pergolas.
I photographed ‘Scepter’d Isle’ a couple of years ago, early in the day when it was covered in dew (click here to see the post). The earlier shot is softer, perhaps more alluring, but I like this one too, for its classic look – it shows the chalice shaped blooms so characteristic of this David Austin variety.
Susan Rushton 
Just lovely – colour and shape – all of it.
It is a classic rose, even though it looks more like a peony!
Of course you know that I love the way that amazing bud is elbowing its way to the foreground. I wonder how many shades of pink it’s wearing. I visited the older blog post and was just as charmed by the buds there too. How gorgeous summer can be! Thank you!
Those buds you like so much can be a bit on the pesky side, elbowing their way in (and out of focus). I am still experimenting with them as promised!
Such a beautiful photo!
Thanks, Anne!
Hello Susan, Thank you from Seattle. I love your photos; yor fabulous eye and sense of color; your turn of phrase; as well as your partners. Thank you also for sharing your travels with me. Best, Julie
It’s a real pleasure to share. Thanks for your kind comment Ruby.
As we say in Maine, that is some rose!
I would say big and blowsy, except it isn’t one of the biggest.
Gorgeous! It’s one of my favorites. My Lady of Shalott is having a great summer, blooming her head off! Teasing Georgia is also doing very well.
I saw Lady of Shallot growing near Dallas earlier this year – it looked the best of the bunch in a garden full of roses.
It’s so beautiful, and it seems to tolerate our hot humid summer very well, with a little care and lots of water.