I was delighted to see our first bloom of Winchester Cathedral this morning. I purchased this rose at the Birmingham Botanical Gardens Spring Plant Sale in April. It was in a two quart pot and I left it there until the end of May. I finally planted this rose alongside two shrubs of Mary Rose. Winchester Cathedral is actually a sport of Mary Rose which is a delightful pink rose and the two should blend beautifully together. This first bloom is highly fragrant.
As with all other David Austin roses, this rose needs time to settle into the garden and put down some roots. I will feed it with generous amounts of MooPoo Tea to help establish its root systems and promote growth above ground too.
Winchester Cathedral
This rose was named for the breathtaking Winchester Cathedral in Hampshire England. Steeped in history, Queen Mary Tudor (Henry VII’s daughter) married Phillip of Spain in the Cathedral in 1553. Most notable of its departed inhabitants is the beloved Jane Austen. She is interred in the nave with just a simple gravestone that bestows her personal virtues but makes no mention of her writing.
Jane Austen
I now have ten shrubs of David Austin roses growing in my garden: (3) Golden Celebration, (1) LD Braithwaite, (1) Belle Story, (2) Mary Rose (1) Winchester Cathedral and (2) Benjamin Britten.
The Redneck Rosarian 
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Beautiful! Nice tip on the MooPoo Tea. I used to brew and use my own, until the dogs started being overly drawn to the dirt! Those are not dog kisses you want to share. 🙂
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We have used this product for two years and its great in the garden. Odorless, out beagles don’t even try to drink out of the bucket! Ha!
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Wow…I’ll have to give it a try! Thanks for the tip 🙂
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A lovely rose! We also purchased ‘Winchester Cathedral’ last spring but it hasn’t bloomed for us yet. (Purchased an own-root and of course is taking longer to become established.) Seeing this pretty picture makes me excited for our first blooms!
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This was quite a small plant for me as well. I am accustomed to buying in 3 gal containers or large bare root plants. I was so excited to see this first bloom… Big smiles all around.
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So pretty. Love that it is the first. With such a dry, harsh summer, I am celebrating every individual bloom I have in the garden and I will celebrate this one from your garden today!
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Thank you. I almost did not notice the bloom. Actually got in the car and looked over in that direction and saw it low to the ground…. I got out of the car and went over to inspect the “white spot” and found this lovely bloom. The heat has taken its toll in our garden also. Luckily, we have been brewing MooPoo all summer and feeding weekly, it has been a tremendous help to us.
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What a beautiful bloom! I have never heard of MooPoo tea! I don`t think it is sold in Louisville, KY. I would love to know where it can be purchased. My garden has been so bla this summer with the heat and drought …seeing your roses is a joy! Thanks. Lesley
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Thank you for your kind comments. We buy it online at manuretea.com it can be found in some independent garden centers around the country.. Great stuff… We are seeing quite a flush of bloom this week. The rains have served us well!
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What a beautiful rose bloom Chris. I love just the subtle touch of pink in the bloom.
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I do too! Must be the Mary Rose influence……
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Pingback: First Bloom – Winchester Cathedral | Natural Soil Nutrients | Scoop.it
Very pretty! I have started seeing why people love the Austin roses so much. I bet this rose looks gorgeous alongside Mary Rose.
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I can’t wait till it’s “all grown up” to see them together
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I am crazy about English Roses and have several, this one is quite beautiful!
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Beautiful! Thanks for sharing. Now I have another one on my “rose garden wish list”.
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My mouth is watering for these roses … ALL of them! Tho the Winchester is a stunner. Interesting history given I am descended from Phil the handsome & Juana*not sure I should admit that!! 🙂
Probably my most favorite of all roses is the Austins. I wish they all liked it here in my land of the dry hot winds. My courtyard proves to be their best home excepting the constant fight of black spot, and, and, and. sighs…. still they are gorgeous!! lovely, thank you.
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The rose & cathedral are gorgeous! Thanks for post and for stopping by my blog. Good luck with your beautiful new rose.
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