David Austin Roses Wins 15th Gold Medal at 2010 Chelsea Flower Show

Chelsea Flower Show guests Robin Hood and Maid Marion visit the award-winning 2010 display of David Austin Roses to preview the hybridizer's new fragrant pink English Rose 'Maid Marion'.
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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.

"Chelsea is a remarkable showcase for British gardening tradition," added Mr. Austin. "We find the most passionate, like-minded and most knowledgeable gardeners there. It is a serious, highbrow show - yet strangely, always the greatest fun to do. As traditional English nurserymen, it's lovely to be part of a royal-sponsored flower show that dates back to 1862, and is the launch of London's summer social season."

David Austin Roses first exhibited at the Chelsea Flower Show in 1980. Exposure at the show was an important early outlet for introducing David CH Austin's revolutionary English Roses to the public and is now a tradition for the world famous hybridizer.

David Austin Roses Ltd. of Albrighton, Wolverhampton, England offers more than 800 rose varieties, including their signature Fragrant English Roses plus select shrub roses, climbers and ramblers. The USA Collection features nearly 200 rose varieties specially selected for American growing conditions and climate zones, with all USA-sold roses grown and shipped within the USA. David Austin Roses is online at www.davidaustinroses.com.

David Austin Roses won its 15th gold medal in 30 years at the 2010 Chelsea Flower Show in London. The hybridizer's Great Paviliion display featured 800 roses brought to bloom early for the late May event. Mr. Austin traditionally showcases sculpture by his late wife, artist Mrs. Pat Austin, amongst his roses at Chelsea.
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Michael Marriott, technical director of David Austin Roses, was on hand to share ideas and answer consumer questions at the hybridizer's award-winning 2010 display at the Chelsea Flower Show in London.
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