- Authors: Austin
- Name synonyms: Alan Titchmarsh
- Breeding year: 2005
- Group: scrub
- The main color of the flower: pink
- Flower shape: spherical to cupped
- Flower size: large
- Diameter, cm: 11-13
- Flower type by number of petals: thick double
- Scent: old rose
English rose variety Alan Titchmarsh - luxurious, with lush drooping inflorescences, delights most gardeners. It is great in cutting and gardening, but demanding to care for. It is worth considering that this variety of roses is found in catalogs under the name Huntington Rose.
Breeding history of the variety
The variety was obtained by the Austin nursery, registered in 2005. It owes its name to Alan Titchmarsh, a famous British gardener. Breeding was done by David Austin.
Description of the variety
Alan Titchmarsh belongs to the group of English bush roses, belongs to the leander hybrids. This variety is characterized by the formation of compact rounded bushes 100-120 cm high and up to 90 cm wide. Strong flexible shoots are covered with large leaves of anthocyanin and dark green color, they also have thorns.
The flower buds of the rose Alan Titchmarsh are rounded, as they bloom, they acquire a spherical or cupped shape. The color is rich, pale pink, with mother-of-pearl and a slight lavender tint. The center is darker. The main color is classic pink. The flowers themselves are large, 11-13 cm in diameter, densely double, 4-6 on each stem.
Alan Titchmarsh is highly regarded for the scent of old roses, intense, oily, long lasting, with a light hint of citrus. Inflorescences are multi-flowered, form brushes.
Advantages and disadvantages
Alan Titchmarsh is considered one of the most spectacular modern English rose varieties. Its main advantages include:
- stability of varietal traits;
- constant renewal of buds on the bush;
- beautiful crown shape;
- flower petals slightly curving towards the center;
- arcuate form of shoots;
- good winter hardiness;
- ability to adapt to temperate climates.
The disadvantages of the variety include the ability to form climbing shoots up to 2 m long. Only frequent pruning allows you to keep a compact crown. In wet and damp weather, the petals stick together, losing their decorative effect, the cores rot.
Flowering features
Alan Titchmarsh begins flowering in June, budding continues until October. The rose blooms gradually. Refers to multi-flowering varieties with a very abundant formation of large corollas. In the first wave, it forms smaller buds, in the second they are much larger, but are located less frequently.
Use in landscape design
Roses of this variety are widely used not only in bouquet cut. They look equally impressive in group and single planting. Combinations of 2-3 bushes decorate flower beds. In classic English gardens, roses of this variety are combined with others that coincide in terms of flowering. It is also suitable for the formation of boles, hedges.
Landing
The area for roses is prepared in advance. The soil under the bush is preferably black earth, acidic, of normal looseness and quality. Quality drainage is required. Clay soils are diluted with peat or humus, loosened with sand.
In cold climates, container planting is preferable with the transfer of the plant in the winter to a greenhouse. Shrubs should not be placed in lowlands where water stagnates.
Plants are planted in open ground in early spring.The planting hole is formed with a depth of about 60 cm. The seedling is placed on a small mound of earth in its center, the roots are updated with pruners at the edges. The grafting site is deepened by 5-7 cm. The soil is poured to the edge of the pit, the seedling is shaken, removing air bubbles.
Watering is recommended after planting. The soil around the bush is slightly trampled down, covered with peat or other mulching material.
Growing and care
It is customary to plant roses of this variety in a well-lit place. Plants are sensitive to direct sunlight and waterlogging. Their cultivation should be organized so that the bushes receive the necessary nutrition, but do not rot, and are protected from burns and strong winds. Flowers in the first year are completely cut off, preserving the strength of the plant to form roots.
Watering and feeding
The variety is moderately drought-resistant. Watering is regulated as needed, on average 2-3 times a week. One-time water consumption rate is about 10-15 liters. In the container, humidification is carried out more often.
Top dressing is carried out 2-3 times during the entire growing season. Mineral is introduced by foliar spraying. Organic matter is applied under the base of the bush.
Pruning
Roses of this variety are cut minimally, before sheltering for the winter. To maintain the optimal shape of the bush in the spring, remove all unnecessary branches, keeping up to 7-8 of the strongest shoots per bush.
Frost resistance and preparation for winter
With the onset of cold weather, the bushes must be covered. The frost resistance of this variety is highly estimated. Plants are able to withstand a drop in atmospheric temperatures down to -29 degrees. With more severe frosts, they die.
Diseases and pests
Alan Titchmarsh is considered to be a very high immunity rose variety. It has very good resistance to powdery mildew and black spot.
Review overview
Alan Titchmarsh can be called a variety that has collected many positive reviews. It is praised for its very abundant flowering. Even one-year-old bushes are literally covered with lush pale pink buds. An incredible heady aroma also delights the vast majority of gardeners.
The spherical shape of the flowers, their bright color, which does not lose its attractiveness as it burns out, is almost always honored with special mention in the reviews. Adult plants, when carefully pruned, acquire a fountain-like shape with elongated shoots-arcs emanating from the center. Some gardeners consider this look sloppy, but generally attractive, natural. Flowering becomes especially spectacular in the 2nd wave.
There are also negative opinions. Like other Austin varieties, this one shows a rather slow bush formation, taking at least 3 years to develop. Not all gardeners are ready to wait for such a long time. Difficulties for inexperienced summer residents arise with the maintenance of drooping shoots. The short period of flower preservation - up to 2-3 days on the shoot, can also alienate florists.
Black mold, judging by the reviews, the variety is affected moderately. Plants are mainly affected in the lower part of the bush. It is not damaged by insects too often. Bushes tend to grow strongly, much wider than stated. This should be taken into account when landing.