Macarthur Rose

Macarthur Regional Rose Society Newsletter Vol 21 March 2019 ‘Hilton Edward’ bred by founding member Robert Stibbard. Signature Rose of Macarthur Chairperson’s Report Rose Society. Highly fragrant.

Dear Rose Friends, Some of you would have heard the news that an icon of the Rose World, David Austin, passed away in December 2018. Many members have enjoyed David’s unique brand of English Roses with their superb perfumes. Read more about David later in this newsletter.

Our wonderful secretary, Stephanie Gregoriou Judges, has been very busy this summer. Not only has she kept her roses in good order, but she has also so generously given of her time to help fight bushfires together with the other volunteers at the Hawkesbury Rural Bushfire Brigade. Check out what they’ve been up to on page 3. On Saturday 30 March we join forces with Ingleburn Horticultural Society and Garden Club to hold the Autumn Rose and Flower Show. I encourage everyone to participate in one way or another. We certainly want you to have a go and exhibit your roses, other flowers, pot plants and veggies. Bring your friends along to see the beautiful dis- plays; spend an hour or two volunteering to help. Your time and talents will help to make this a very successful show. Thank you to those who have already volunteered. The Rosters are published in this newsletter to help you remember the times you chose to help out. With very best wishes, Rosalie

Looking for more Roses? I have been contacted by the executor of Janice Johnson’s estate who advises that her property has been sold. The new owners don’t wish to keep her roses, because they have very young chil- dren and are worried about the thorns. However they wondered if any member would like to have the roses. If you are interested, let me know on 0423 050 532 or 4625 6067 and I will pass on the new owner’s contact details. Rosalie

Neutrog Products Remember, as a member you are able to purchase Neu- trog products at special member prices. Products availa- In this issue: Chairperson’s Report 1 ble include: Sudden Impact for Roses, Kahoona, GoGo Cultural Notes 2 Juice, Seamungus, Gyganic, Blood and Bone, WhoFlung- Profile of a Rose Growing Firie 3 Dung and more. Vale David Austin 4–6 Simply give Graham a call on 9606 5888 to order and to Rosters Rose & Flower Show 7-8

arrange a time for pick up. Dates for Your Diary 8 Birthdays 8

Cultural Notes for March Autumn is a wonderful season, day temperatures are dropping and the nights are cool, ideal conditions for perfect roses. These conditions allow for the buds to develop and produce the best flowers of the whole year. So this is a good time to visit gardens and take a note of the roses which appeal to you. Select the plants which not only pro- duce fine blooms but are also strong, healthy and robust. Order plants early from your favourite rose nursery to avoid disappointment as supplies do run out.

New rose plants appear in the chain stores too early in the season. It is wise to purchase from a rose nursery as their plants have been lifted in cooler weather and have not suffered a stressful time caused by early digging. Rose plants are usually posted to your door if you have pre-ordered from a nursery. They are wrapped and sealed in plastic so there is little or no hydration. When unwrapping your parcel, check that there are no damaged roots as these can be cut away. Top growth should be shortened to a sound growing eye. Then set about planting or heeling them into the ground. Roses are so easy to plant, but follow these steps:

• Dig a hole 300mm square.

• Mound up the base of the hole to form a pinnacle in the centre.

• Place the new plant in the hole spreading the roots evenly around the mound. Care should b taken to en- sure that the bud union is level with the surface of the rose bed. When rose bushes are planted too high they are easily blown about after they begin to grow and develop.

• Half fill the hole with soil and press it down firmly.

• Half fill the hole with water.

• When the water has subsided, fill the hole with soil and firm down.

• No fertilizer should be applied when planting, although a soil conditioner such as the recommended Neu- trog Seamungus can be mixed with the planting soil.

• Remember to label your roses.

Climbing roses are planted in the same way. Standard roses are planted in a similar way but tied to a wooden stake for support.

• The hole should be dug and the hole sloped from one side of the hole. The stake (25mm x25mm)should be driven in on the high side so that the top of the stake is just below the top of the bud union of the plant when in the ground.

• The roots should be spread away from the stake and then follow the same procedure as for bush roses. One tie in a figure of eight is used to hold the plant to the stake. This should be just below the bud union. Bare root roses can be planted until the end of July or early August. Those later planted roses will have to be care- fully tended as the feeding roots will not have fully developed before the soil dries out. If you miss out on the win- ter planting, roses can be planted from containers but it is wise to wait until the new roots have grown enough to hold the soil in the pot, which may not be until October or November. So the moral is…..get in early to avoid disappointment.

Happy gardening!

Rosalie Source: Walter Duncan

Rose Growing Profile : Stephanie — A Firie on the Job

A number of fires burned through northern NSW through February at Jennings, Tabulam, Tingha and Tamworth. Firefighters from across NSW, including from other agencies, responded to assist local communities under some challenging conditions. Among these wonderful volunteers was our very own Stephanie Grigoriou Judges pic- tured here taking a break.

Stephanie shared some thoughts about her experiences: Linton Fires—Hawkesbury Strike Team 2. “On the 15th February our team of 16 people headed up north to Tamworth on a 5 day deployment to relieve the first Strike Team in containing the southern line of the Linton fires of a very large property called Warrabah Station. I have been an active member of the Hawkesbury Headquarters Brigade for 1 & 1/2 years attending weekly training. I have been to 3 fire calls and 2 hazard reductions. Every fire is different and you always have to be prepared for anything and everything. My duties were to assist my crew leader with the hose and fire fighting equipment. Our main task was “mop up” and put out hot spots and flare ups. Each day we made sure our truck was stocked with ration packs and bottled water. I also had a personal camelback and hydrolyte to keep hydrated. It was a daily drive of 1 hour 45 mins to the fireground, then back again after three days of 12 hour shifts. During those days, I was climbing small ladders over barb wire fences, to get to smouldering trees and logs. I also assisted in ”dry firefighting” which meant breaking up small logs and hot embers and smothering them with a rake hoe. This was to preserve water as we had to draft from dams and other trucks. We also had the aid of bull- dozers and air support of helicopter water carriers, which proved crucial to our task and safety. I certainly learnt a lot from this experience, and was glad to come home to smell my fragrant roses as apposed to smoke and ash. When I see the devastation of homes, farms, and live stock from fires, I can’t help but feel the need to assist and would do it all again in a heartbeat“.— Stephanie Renowned rose breeder David C. H. Austin dies at 92

It was with great sadness that the Austin family announced the passing of David C. H. Austin Snr OBE VMH, rosari- an and founder of David Austin Roses. David Snr died peacefully at his home in Shropshire on Tuesday, Dec. 18, 2018, surrounded by his family. He was 92. From school boy to rose breeder David Austin, whose English Roses have captured the imagination of gardeners and rose lovers worldwide, was born on Feb. 16, 1926. Growing up in the Shropshire countryside, Austin developed a passion for plants from a very young age. Howev- er, his interest in flowers was truly ignited when he first discovered a magazine called Gardens Illustrated, tucked away in the school library. After being encouraged by his teacher, he decided to pursue his newfound passion. James Baker, a friend of David’s father, ran a nursery down the road from their family farm. David would visit with his father and was dazzled by the new varieties of lupins that James was breeding. It was at this time that the idea of developing new varieties of plants himself really started to take hold. Coming from a farming back- ground, David had an innate knowledge of plants but taking this knowledge and applying it to the less practical world of flowers did not meet his father’s approval. It wasn’t until his sister gave him A.E. Bunyard’s book, Old Garden Roses, for his 21st birthday, that he fell in love with roses. First shoots With his new passion for roses, David decided to take up rose growing as a hobby, ordering his first few plants when he was in his early twenties. Beguiled by their beauty, his interest only really lay with the Old Roses, but with the fashion at the time being for modern Hybrid Teas, he decided to order a few varieties to compare the two groups. Although he wasn’t charmed by the Hybrid Teas he did recognize the attributes they possessed that the Old Ros- es lacked: a much wider colour range and the ability to repeat flower. This was his light bulb moment, the realiza- tion that he had the opportunity to create something entirely new — a rose with the beauty and fragrance of his much-loved Old Roses but with the benefits of modern roses. Growing pains Resolute in purpose, David began the slow process of breeding this new type of rose. Unfortunately, his inexperi- ence revealed itself when he lost his first set of seedlings to a fungal disease, and he had to start all over again the following year. However, with time and extraordinary dedication, David created his first rose, ‘Constance Spry’ (Ausfirst), in 1961. Industry professionals said nobody would buy these ‘old-fashioned roses’ and nurseries refused to stock them. Not one to be easily discouraged, David decided to ignore his detractors and sell his roses to the public himself, using his own kitchen table in Shropshire as his distribution centre. He also sold a wide range of other roses, including Old Roses, climbers and ramblers.

Constance Spry Gertrude Jekyll David Austin cont’d Coming into bloom By 1969 David had refined the breeding process and launched his first range of repeat-flowering ‘English Roses,’ the name he coined for his ground breaking varieties that fused the old with the new. He reasoned that the French have the Gallica roses, the Scottish the Scots, so why shouldn’t the English also have a group of roses to call their own — especially with the rose being so intertwined in England’s culture and history. The early years were quite a struggle, particularly because he was trying to compete with so many other rose nurse- ries. However, with the support of his wife Pat, combined with the unique combination of attributes his roses had to offer, the English Roses grew in popularity and the Old Rose style began to enjoy a long overdue renaissance. In 1983 David experienced his first real breakthrough when he introduced three very good English Roses at the Chelsea Flower Show, including the rose named after his good friend and mentor, the revered horticulturist, Gra- ham Thomas. The response from the press, as well as the general public, to Rosa ‘Graham Thomas’ (Ausmas) was overwhelming and David credited it with being the rose most responsible for the recognition and success of the English Roses. The following year saw the first of many gold medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and the David Austin garden gradually became one of the highlights for visitors, which continues to this day.

Graham Thomas David Austin Meeting the Queen at Chelsea Flower Show With the increased popularity, the nursery business started to grow, the extra income meaning that the rusty, draughty old barns could be replaced by modern packing sheds and the falling down breeding greenhouses re- placed by bigger and more spacious ones, although still second hand. The fledgling rose garden, now considered one of the most beautiful rose gardens in the world, also increased in size. The art of rose breeding The increased income also gave him the opportunity to gradually expand the size of his enduring passion, the rose breeding program, which today is one of the largest in the world. Each year David introduced three or so new varie- ties. From pollination to sale, the whole process of creating a new rose takes nine years. For each new rose re- leased, roughly 120,000 unique roses will have been grown for research, a process which took all of David’s pa- tience, dedication and expertise. “There is nothing more exciting than having 350,000 seedlings growing that no one has ever seen before,” David C. H. Austin once said. His rose breeding endeavours have resulted in a number of awards, with one of his proudest achievements receiv- ing his OBE in 2007 for his services to horticulture. On receiving the award, he said “Every day, I marvel at my good fortune to have been able to make a life out of breeding roses. My greatest satisfaction is to see the pleasure my roses give to gardeners and rose lovers around the world”. He was also awarded the Victoria Medal of Honour from the RHS, an honorary degree from the University of East London and the Dean Hole medal from the Royal National Rose Society. His roses too have won many awards around the world. ‘Graham Thomas’ (Ausmas) was voted the world’s favourite by the World Federation of Rose Societies (WFRS) in 2009 and ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ (Ausbord) twice voted the UK’s favourite. Twenty-eight of them have also been honoured with the prestigious Award of Gar- den Merit from the RHS. The garden at Albrighton, both home to David Austin and the National Collection of his English Roses, received the Award of Garden Excellence from the WFRS in 2015. David Austin cont’d

Through the generations In 1990 he welcomed his eldest son, David J. C. Austin, into the business. Together they have developed David Austin Roses into a worldwide business, extending the UK operation to Europe and in more recent years to the United States and Japan, where they now have offices. Not one to rest on his laurels, in 1992, with the driving force and support of David Junior, he decided to start up a completely new side to the breeding program. The aim being to develop varieties that were specifically for the cut flower market, available all year round, whilst retaining the beauty, fragrance and charm that had become so recognizable in his garden roses. The first group of cut roses was released in 2004 and like his garden roses, it took some time for them to be accepted, being a very different proposition from the status quo. Today David Austin cut roses are considered to be some of the most prestigious and sought-after wedding and event roses in the world and have been used to celebrate the most intimate of private occasions through to the most prestig- ious Royal Weddings showcased on a global stage. David Austin Roses has grown significantly over the decades but it still remains very much a family business at heart. The third generation, Richard Austin, David Senior’s grandson, and son of David Junior, joined the company in 2010 continuing his father and grandfather’s passion and their lives’ work. They in turn are supported by a loy- al team, with many having been with the business for more than 15 years including his Rose Breeding Manager, Carl Bennett, who has worked for him for almost 30 years. As the company has grown, so too has the wider David Austin family who affectionately refer to David Senior simply as ‘Mr A.’ An author and poet Apart from his passion for roses he had a great love for literature and his sitting room is lined with bookcases filled with a great variety of books. The first book he wrote was The Heritage of the Rose, published in 1988. In 1993 he published the first edition of The English Roses, the definitive work on his own creation, which won great critical acclaim around the world. He especially loved poetry and published a collection of his own poems in 2014 entitled The Breathing Earth, which draws on his life experiences and his love of nature. The Father of English Roses He will be remembered as one of the greatest rosarians and rose breeders of all time who is responsible for cre- ating the world’s first horticultural brand. With over 240 varieties to his name, he was still absolutely passionate about developing new varieties of English Roses until the very end. He died already knowing what the future may hold, having planned and undertaken the next crosses, which will hopefully create a new rose that will be intro- duced in nine years’ time. Despite continually discovering new found inspiration his dream, broadly speaking, remained the same as when he first started breeding roses as an amateur, all those years ago: to create the perfect garden worthy rose that combines beauty, fragrance, repeat-flowering ability and good disease resistance with great charm – the quality his English Roses are most renowned for. As he said in his book, The English Roses, he had one goal that was more important than any other, “… that we should strive to develop the rose’s beauty in flower, growth and leaf.” Of fragrance, he wrote, “[It] may be said to be the other half of the beauty of a rose.” He leaves behind a legacy that very many around the world will treasure as a result of his passion, unwavering vision and lifetime’s work.

David Austin with his beloved dog, Bertie.

Every morning David would take a walk through his magnificent garden and sniff

the air, fragrant with the perfume of his many creations.

Source material: Press Release, The Austin Family

Rosters : Autumn Rose and Flower Show Ingleburn Community Centre, 30 March 2019

The following members have very kindly offered to help. Thank you very much!

Set up help: 2 x trailers needed. Meet at Graham & Vicki Andrews, 72 Kent St, Minto Friday 29 March at 1.30 pm then at Ingleburn Community Centre at 3.00pm Bob Stibbard, Ian Thackeray, Carol McVeigh, Graham Wright, Rosalie Vine

Pack up help: 2 x trailers needed Saturday 30 March at 4.00pm

Mary Camilleri, Maureen & Ian Thackeray, Janet & Graham Wright, Chris & Rosalie Vine ______

Refreshments Roster - 2 shifts - 4 people needed on each shift:

12.30 - 1.30pm 2.30 - 3.30pm

1. Margaret Hudson 1. Mary Camilleri

2. Maureen Kennedy 2. June Head

3. ______3. ______

4. ______4. ______

Membership / Raffle/ Rose Gift Box sales table 12.30pm – 2.00pm 2.00pm – 3.30pm

1. Lorraine Hawke 1. ______

2. Jan Priestly 2. ______

Bunches of Roses Sale at end of Show

Lorraine Hawke, Rosalie Vine, ______, ______, ______

Preparation of Rose Gift Boxes: Margaret Appleby, Rosalie Vine, ______, ______, ______, ______

Prize Cards Preparation and Results Tally : Janet Wright, Maureen Thackeray Runners for Judges: Carol McVeigh, ______

We still need helpers for our Show. If you would like to volunteer please contact Rosalie on 4625 6067 or put your name down at the monthly meeting on 9 March. Looking forward to hearing from you. Thank you for Refreshments for Autumn Show at Ingleburn 30 March 2019

Please deliver by 10.30am INGLEBURN COMMUNITY HALL Sandwiches—please indicate Name Cakes/ slices Filling: 6 loaves needed Jan Priestly 2 Cakes Jan Stibbard 1 loaf sandwiches Janet Wright Cupcakes

Carol McVeigh Slices Judy Reilly Fruit Cake Stephanie Judges 1 loaf sandwiches Rosalie Vine Cupcakes 1 loaf sandwiches—chicken ______

Dates for Your Diary 9 March - 2.00pm Meeting Macarthur Rose Society, Elderslie Public School 170 Lodges Road, Elderslie Topic: Good Roses for Your Garden and for Exhibiting 16-17 March Miniature/ Miniflora Rose Show, Mittagong RSL Club; Sat. 12-5pm Sun 10-4pm 30 March—12.30pm Autumn Flower and Rose Show, Ingleburn Community Centre, Cnr Oxford St and Cumberland Rd. Ingleburn. Doors open at 6.30am for Exhibitors. 2.00pm Workshop on Exhibiting Roses after Official Opening of the Show Presented by Gavin Woods, Guest Senior Judge and President, National Rose Society of Australia, and President of the Rose Society of South Australia. No Monthly Meeting in April, due to many members exhibiting at the Sydney Royal Easter Show.

Many Happy Returns March Birthdays 3rd Pauline Jelich 14th David Hawke 23rd Marjorie Sa–Cordiero 24th Rosanna Tarbotton 25th Olga Bucci 26th Helen O’Hearn 27th Jan Stibbard