A new David Austin introduction this year; 'Wollerton Old Hall' as shown on their stand at Hampton Court this year.

I visited the garden, whose name sake this rose is earlier in the year, and the first thing that struck me was how aptly it was named. The colour of the rose is a near perfect match for the colour of the lime wash that adorns the walls of this ancient building. We saw many old timbered buildings this colour in Shropshire, so I expect it is part of the venacular, although I haven't yet worked out why this particular colour is predominant on buildings in this area. It's a feature you see in many areas of the UK though, a certain colour dominates. In Shropshire it was this pale apricot, on both walls and window frames, in Suffolk you have the vivid pink.  Where I live the buildings are generally white or just off white.  It certainly gives an area identity and cohesion.

The rose is lovely, and has a good fragrance too, and it was one of several I ordered for my own garden from the David Austin Stand.

If you get an opportunity to visit the Gardens at Wollerton Old Hall, I would recommend it, it quickly became one of my favourite gardens, and I look forward to being able to go again.