There’s something about roses with many petals. For many, these romantic, soulful plants are the archetypal roses, especially if they happen to be pink and to have a good fragrance.
Some of these do and some don’t. What interests me about them is their flower forms, the patterns the petals take, and the way the blooms cluster together. The odd one you may recognise. While they are old-fashioned in style, in the main they are English Roses, bred over the last 50 years or so by David Austin.
Among these, rather surprisingly, is one of the most popular pictures I have taken, or so it would seem as I often get emails about it. Feel free to guess which one.
Susan Rushton 
P.S. Should be “effect.” Sigh.
These are so, so beautiful
Thanks, Su
My opinions are as prolific as the roses! Goodness, what beauties (the roses, not my opinions)! That photo of ‘Mary Rose,’ has such personality; I see those buds way back there standing on tiptoe to get into the picture! Your words “soulful” and “languid” are perfect descriptors for those blooms that appear to be thinking deep thoughts. I don’t know which of these qualifies as the most favorite, but my favorite is ‘Wildeve.’ Of course, all the buds had me reaching for the smelling salts.
Wildeve is one of my favourites to photograph and I do like that picture. I have several versions of those blooms – it was quite a struggle to leave them! The one people most often write to me about it Spirit of Freedom.
What wonderful roses, I can smell them from here – you can’t beat David Austin!
I tried guessing which was your most popular photo, but thought it must be each one as I scrolled down!!
I tried to put in a few rivals for it! It’s Spirit of Freedom, the third from the bottom.
Wonderful – and beautifully named, too!
Oh my gosh…pink roses are my favorites and all these pictures are amazing. If I could only pick two….they would be James Galway and Young Lycidas….I guess. All so gorgeous though. Thank You for these pics!
My pleasure! I think my favourite picture among these is probably the William Morris, even though the flowers are not quite the way it normally looks. There can be so much variety even on a single plant if you look closely. I added in quite a few favourites to try to make the choosing hard!
Roses are always in season! đŸ™‚
btw, my order from Antique Rose Emporium arrives Friday… inspired by your post. Garden bloggers have such influence. đŸ˜‰
Ooh – happy growing! I expect you have earmarked a good spot for them!
Made a new bed just for them. đŸ™‚
I do like some of those older style roses.
Their petals make for an interesting mix of light and shade.
Beautiful pink bunch of flowers.. đŸŒ·đŸ’¯
I never remember the different names of these mainly David Austin gems – well photographed
I once had flash cards to learn them. Now I need the same for trees.
đŸ™‚
OMG, these are so beautiful and I am thinking of the fragrance.
They are very evocative, aren’t they?
I definitely fall for William Morris.Pink roses though seems to be so delicate, but then always fragrant.I am already dreaming of walking once again in the Rose garden nearby to where I live.
It is my favourite picture too here. Though the plant is not always the easiest to grow, when grown well, the flowers are lovely.
Really beautiful – sadly I cant seem to grow roses so I enjoyed yours
Virtual roses are never temperamental đŸ™‚
This is true but can enjoy cut flowers. And in other gardens