Not new to Ciao at all now. Still enjoy reading and writing ops.
Not new to Ciao at all now. Still enjoy reading and writing ops.
Member since:05.12.2000
Reviews:107
Members who trust:94
Rambling Rector: The name in itself is intriguing and inviting and having seen photographs of this rose in Peter Beale's book, I just had to search for it. It certainly looked awe inspiring in the photographs with complete walls, arches and even river banks covered in lush creamy white clusters of small beautifully formed roses.
Peter Beale's written description failed to deter me even though Rambling Rector was described as rampant and vigourous, after all I had a complete back fence which I wanted to cover in as speedy a time as possible. Armed with my limited information I went off to search garden centres and local nurseries, but to no avail - even rose specialists hadn't heard of this particular rose. This however, egged me on even further and I felt quite impressed with what I vainly considered to be my superior knowledge (only joking).
In fact I actually came across this rose when I wasn't particularly looking for it. It was one bank holiday on a trip back from Manchester airport when I stumbled on a small out of the way nursery which specialised in David Austin old fashioned roses. It was such a treat, there were literally dozens of roses in all colours of the spectrum and there, hidden at the back, was Rambling Rector. I felt as though I had won the lottery and couldn't wait to plant it and settle it in.
Two summers later and Rambling Rector is rambling and rambling and rambling. It really is a lovely rose, but if I'm honest, it probably isn't suitable for an average sized garden. I'm sure at the rate it is growing it will soon cover every back fence in my entire neighbourhood and it has managed to cover my back fence, half a side fence and demolished a garden arch on its journey to date.
I am not deterred however, and couldn't wait last summer for it to flower and will be equally as keen this summer to see it in full bloom during June/July. It has the added benefit of having a lovely perfume which wafts throughout the garden on summer evenings. Unfortunately however, it does have a somewhat short flowering season and the thorns are quite horrendous (I frequently look as though I've been battling with a raging tiger after attempting to tie it into place along the fence). The rose is also very very prone to the dreaded black spot.
I've now learned that I'm not as clever as I thought and David Austin is of course a well known rose specialist who deals mainly in old fashioned english roses and Rambling Rector is far more widely known than I thought,in fact Laura Ashley at one time had curtaining material of the same name.
If you're lucky enough to own a grand mansion with acres of garden then give Rambling Rector a try, but if your garden is on the small size it might be worth thinking twice about - although it is an amazing burglar deterrent.
I refuse to be thwarted and Rambling Rector is going to be allowed to ramble its way through my garden regardless. I'll keep you informed of its progress.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Jan 8th, 2001
(Dec 29th, 2000)
very helpful by (100%):
