Jin… I was half expecting one to be called 'Harry and Meghan'... I think I'm slightly relieved.. but these are nice names...

Yes, beautiful roses. DA loves naming his roses after Thomas Hardy characters. I wonder how many roses he has now that are named after them. At one time, early in my rose addiction, I was going to have every rose named after a character in a Thomas Hardy novel. Quickly, ran out of space in my tiny yard.

It's always a treat when the new Austins are released. Thank for posting this link, Marlorena.

They do look irresistible, I especially like Eustacia Vye.

Goodness, Eustacia Vye has a delicious color and form. I like that one better than many of his I've seen lately, but I've often thought that some of it is the excellence of the photographers Austin uses. It will be most interesting to see it in someone's garden. Gabriel Oak does not thrill me nearly as much since it doesn't seem in any way remarkable. Thanks for posting these, Marlorena; I wouldn't have known about them otherwise.

Marlorena, Did you get The Mill On The Floss? Any pics?

sjn... yes I did... I answered on the other thread on the Roses forum, but just to say I didn't take many pics last year of it, as it didn't grow much in the first year.. this year will be much better I'm sure... it has a delightful scent and a picotee edging.. very unusual...

Thank you Marlorena!

I am a Hardy fan, so I love those names! Though the roses seem kind of generic, judging by the pictures. Time will tell, I guess.

Hi Marlorena, I do understand you have limited space in your garden. But if I may, can I thread jack just for a minute to all of the other uses of this thread.

Marlorena, have you got :Tottering by Gently" or seen it in the ground. When I saw it at Hampton Court Flower Show in 2018, I fell in love.

David.... this won't come as any surprise... of course I have, I too fell for it as soon as I saw it.. it's already suffered one move but didn't seem to mind... but it will be a while yet before I have anything more worthwhile to report... I bet it looked great at the Show... the rose marquee as I remember it, was a sight to behold... used to make me laugh, all the ladies milling around panicking over which rose to buy... as if we didn't have enough already...

Talking of going off topic David... I've just watched Winx win the Chipping Norton at Randwick… I've been to Randwick, and Rosehill... and Manly, I think that's in Sydney.. of course, extensive travel is the reason I'm skint.. and can only afford roses these days..

all the above are correct Marorlena, and yes Winx is very special horse. You seem to know where the tracks are, Rosehill and Randwick, then rest up at the beautiful beach Manly.

Mill on the Floss did interest me, since it is quite distinctive, at least in photographs. Looking forward to more info on it -- not that I have any room at present.

ok... if anyone would like to see these two roses, and much else of interest from David Austin roses at the Chelsea Flower Show this year, including interviews with both Carl Bennett and David Austin Jnr.. here is a link to You tube for the latest BBC episode 8.... it starts 42 minutes into the broadcast... I can tell you I'm really excited by these roses...

I'm not sure if outside the UK you can view it, but here's a link in case...

youtube

Thank you for the link. I could see the video just fine. I liked the hybridization and seedling greenhouse and the peacocks! Eustacia Vye and Gabriel Oak are stunning. GO was a lighter color than I thought but still very pretty.

What a wonderful link, Marlorena. I was thrilled to see it was Mary Berry who was interviewing David Austin Jr. It was enjoyable to see other segments also, such as the donkey sanctuary, and the more naturalistic, cottage-style gardens. Roses and nothing but roses seem like indigestible fare without the leavening agents of simpler flowers and herbs as companions.

Thank you Marlorena, I thoroughly enjoyed that video.

...just a little update on these two roses, for future reference on 'search'...

….love these two roses... they could be brother and sister, their growth habits are so similar.. really like two floribunda shrubs.... both upright, strong stems and cluster flowering... blooms are held either upright or outward facing... there are no floppy or drooping weak necks...

...both have scent to knock anyone out... yet both are different... I prefer Eustacia...it's so powerful, sweet, floral with only hints of myrrh at a much lower level than on so many others... nothing to offend, just perfect for me..

...on Gabriel the scent is sweet, no myrrh at all... just what you want in a rose....

… both have what you would call average thorns... nothing to frighten anyone...

...disease resistance... very early days, ...Gabriel is clear... Eustacia has a touch of black spot here and there... not too much and I expect that to improve... black spot is rampant here right now..

...I'll just organise some photos... they haven't grown much so far and early blooms may not be typical...

Beautiful roses. Thanks for details as I will be comparing notes when I am ordering DA roses in Fall. Your notes help a lot as scent and their habits of growth. I am sure they will have BS here Bec of humidity level and rain in Florida but I am not worried.
They look amazing :)
jin

The additional photos were very helpful in determining the character and appearance of these two roses. I wasn't certain that Gabriel Oak was anything special or unique in the Austin stable but the more I see of him the more I like this rose. Eustacia I found instantly likable. I'm so glad we have you here, Marlorena, to give us a heads up on these new Austin introductions (and of course for many other reasons too!).

Thank you for the update, Marlorena. Euastacia Vye looks like another to add to my wish list. The photo with MW is a helpful comparison to gauge size of bloom and colors. With space limitations I might have to decide between The Mill on the Floss or EV. However, if EV is compact, perhaps I can add both to the garden.

Thank you Marlorena! These look gorgeous -- I'm particularly enthusiastic about Gabriel Oak.

I'm glad I finally saw this thread, and thanks to you, Marlorena, for all the helpful information and the gorgeous photos. Like Ingrid, I found Eustacia Vye instantly likeable, but after viewing more photos of Gabriel Oak, I'm even more impressed with this rose, it's color and bloom structure. I would love to sample their scent. I shall be patient waiting for these two beauties to finally get to the US. Diane

..thanks Diane... they are 2 of the best I think... in fact I'm getting 2 more Gabriels this week to go with the other one, I just can't get enough of this rose... I'm just waiting for a discount code from DA ...they're in my shopping cart along with some others...

Guys, I called DA today and they told me these two roses are their new intro this year but they won’t be available on the website for preordering until December! Happy dance! I want them both.

I called DA yesterday hoping to order them both or at least learn when I could but was told these would not be available to order until January. Darn...one more month.

@User Hi Marlorena, how have you been? I was wondering if Eustacia Vye has been more mannerly in height for you or has it gotten quite large? I’m debating where to put it now. I planted Emily Bronte last year and it has turned into a short climber and need to find a different place for it and am hoping EV is a little more tame.

Hi Dave, good to see you..

Well of course we have different rootstocks, so I can't say what result you'll have, but here my rose is conforming to DA's stated 4 x 3.. although it's 3 x 3 at the moment,. a rounded upright shrub, with a spreading habit, strong stiff canes, like a shrubby floribunda.. no lanky canes.. I don't have Emily Bronte.. I'm not surprised she's a climber in some places..

We've had a shocking Spring for roses, frosts for almost 8 weeks, so we're a good 3 weeks behind schedule in England..

I'm finding the blooms have a richer colour this year, lots of deep pink, lightening with age and warmth as it's nearly 80 today..

..this first one reminds me of Augusta Luise..

..love the scent on this rose..

Good to hear from you! I’m sorry about your late freezes. I had a couple of late freezes that obliterated some early blooms and new growth but thankfully everthing was okay in the end. Beautiful, unique EV blooms! Thanks for sharing your experience with it - I know we’re in different climates, different rootstock, etc but hopeful EV will remain relatively compact - fingers crossed.

...do you like proliferation, Dave...? it's the first time I've seen it on this rose..

Glad to see you back @User I was wondering where you'd been.