Roses in full bloom at Arundel Castle
The heady aroma of rose petals has filled the gardens of Arundel Castle in West Sussex, where the nation’s favourite flowers have opened their buds to the early summer sun.
More than 20 varieties of delicate roses are featured in the extensive Castle gardens throughout the month of June.
Visitors will first encounter the ‘Harlow Carr’and the larger ‘Wild Edric’lining the path up to the Rose Garden, with 14 varieties flowering against the dramatic backdrop of the ancient Castle.
Within the Rose Garden, the flowers range in shade from the deep crimsons of cup shaped ‘Mme Isaac Pereire’and velvety ‘Munstead Wood’to creamy tones of the pink-budded climbing ‘Adelaide d’Orléans’ and soft white ‘Winchester Cathedral’shrub roses.
History and gardening fanatics alike should keep an eye out for species eponymous to historical figures, royals and celebrities.
Created to celebrate the marriage of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the William and Catherinerose grows in the White Garden outside the Fitzalan Chapel, offering a myrrh-like fragrance and a classically shaped cup of petals that fade from cream to pure white.
Within the Walled Gardens, visitors will find roses named after well-known gardeners and nurserymen such as ‘Graham Thomas’, ‘Geoff Hamilton’, ‘Gertrude Jekyll’and ‘Alan Titchmarsh’. Even the Kitchen Garden is complete with the cherry-red blossoms of the ‘John Innes’rose.
In the Cut Flower Garden, the apricot hues and delightfully fruity aroma of the ‘Crown Princess Margareta’– named after the green-fingered granddaughter of Queen Victoria – add a splash of vibrant colour to the display. The‘Anne Boleyn’rose can be viewed nearby – look for large, mid-pink blooms with a slight button eye.
Martin Duncan commented: “June is the month we all look forward to, anticipating the wonderful scent and array of roses.
“Roses are so popular that we increased our collection throughout the walled gardens, focusing on their beauty and scent. We want to give our visitors the quintessential experience of strolling through an English country garden.”
The roses across all areas of the Gardens can be enjoyed with the purchase of any ticket, starting from £11 for children and £13 for adults.
For more information regarding the gardens and all the events taking place at the Castle please visit: www.arundelcastle.org.