Garden Centres in Lincolnshire
A rose by any other name might smell as sweet, but some are more special than others, including a brand new variety – The King’s Rose – created by David Austin Roses. Upon its release the new bloom was made available exclusively in Lincolnshire through Humber Bridge Garden Centre
Shakespeare wrote that a rose, by any other name, would smell as sweet. He was incorrect. Some are a little sweeter than others. Roses, for example, bred by David Austin are widely regarded as the gold standard among a family of perennials with no fewer than 300 species accepted by Kew Gardens from a total of 30,000 cultivated varieties.
Among the most anticipated new cultivations around the world are the varieties created by David Austin – usually unveiled at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show – and this year was no exception.
The company, based in Shropshire and founded in 1961 by its namesake, is now run by the second and third generation of the family. The company’s Chairman unveiled The King’s Rose at Chelsea, brand new for 2025 and designed as a tribute to HRH King Charles III.
Only a handful of British retailers gain status as an approved David Austin stockist, and fewer still were able to offer their customers the new variety. That’s why Jake Massarella and the team at Humber Bridge Garden Centre were thrilled to be able to show off the new rose last month.
“We created Humber Bridge Garden Centre in April 2022 and from its inception we were determined to offer the very best products for the garden as well as plants, shrubs and flowers produced with the most conscientious nursery husbandry possible. Quality was very much our aim, and has remained at the heart of everything we do.”
“We’ve developed the 17-acre site ever since and we were thrilled to be approved as a David Austin stockist. In September last year they also helped us to design and plant a beautiful display of roses featuring some stunning varieties by the garden centre’s entrance to welcome our visitors.”
“Retail partners of David Austin are subject to a regular visit to make sure the brand is only sold in the very best centres, and when we received a visit a few months ago, David Austin were happy to allow us to offer our customers the new 2025 variety, of which very few details were revealed until RHS Chelsea.”
“When the show opened its doors, David Austin disclosed its garden, the theme of which was Secret Garden. It featured over 50 varieties including ‘Paul’s Himalayan Musk,’ ‘Rambling Rector,’ and ‘Ghislaine de Féligonde.’ The show garden subsequently rewarded David Austin with its 29th RHS Chelsea gold medal.”
“At the end of the garden’s archways was the new variety of rose which, the company revealed, was to be named The King’s Rose, as a tribute to King Charles, and has since been planted at Highgrove.”
“We were delighted to receive our delivery of the variety that week, and our customers purchased them so quickly that we sold out of them within about four hours!”
“It’s anticipated that the next release will be in August or September, adding to the 50 varieties of David Austin potted roses that we stock already, with shrub, rambling and climbing roses all expected to be in full bloom throughout the summer.”
The new variety produces semi-double, repeat-flowering blooms that appear in profusion, with at least 20 buds per stem. Its petals boast distinct stripes in shades of fuchsia pink and white, creating an almost hand-painted look reminiscent of old Gallica roses.
The King’s Rose also boasts a light-medium musk fragrance with hints of fresh apple and rose water, with soft clove notes. It’s a versatile and robust shrub with a vase-shaped growth habit and heart-shaped leaves.
Humber Bridge Garden Centre now boasts an impressive display of David Austin Roses. The centre itself is also home to everything that novices or experienced horticulturalists need to create a beautiful garden.
If you’re looking to brighten up your outdoor space, not only will you find the plants, flowers and shrubs to create an impressive display, you’ll find traditional handmade terracotta pots made in an adjacent workshop by Gabriel Nichols.
The potter hand-throws wall pots, flower pots, and bespoke pottery items from clay produced from William Blyth’s tileworks next door. William Blyth was one of the many tile and brick manufacturers found along the Humber’s south bank. When the Brick Tax was abolished in 1850, the tile and brick industry expanded so that by the early 1890s, around 20 such manufacturers operated in the Barton area.
Also on site is the Old Tile Works’ restaurant and food hall where visitors can enjoy high quality daytime dining and take home the best local produce too, supporting local suppliers and producers.”
“Our ambition for Humber Bridge Garden Centre was to bring together a wonderful group of people to create the perfect lifestyle destination in a unique location,” says Jake. “We really wanted to create somewhere that customers could gain inspiration from their surroundings. We’re thrilled to offer David Austin roses among some really well-nurtured plants, and we’re proud to have become a place that people visit from a wide radius on both sides of the Humber.”
“The destination is unique but as well as our history we’re also really fortunate to have a dedicated team of experts in horticulture, pottery, hospitality and home decor, offering you unrivalled choice, service and advice from people who really know their stuff.”
Humber Bridge Garden Centre
Garden Centre: Humber Bridge Garden Centre features a great selection of plants, garden furniture and homewares plus a range of tools to make sure you’re fully equipped to create a gorgeous garden.
Restaurant: Delicious breakfasts, lunches and good coffee to enjoy indoors, or al fresco on the spacious terrace overlooking Humber Bridge Garden Centre’s beautiful lake. Afternoon tea and home-cooked food from the Old Tile Works’ Burger to fish ‘n’ chips, Ploughman’s Lunch and pie of the day, plus delicious homemade cakes and pastries.
Food Hall: Located opposite The Old Tile Works’ Restaurant, Humber Bridge Garden Centre’s food hall stocks bread and pastries baked daily each morning plus local and artisan food brands from Cartwright & Butler’s biscuits and confectionery to Yorkshire pasta and local honey, plus a range of wines, spirits and ales including Wold Top bitter and Hawkstone lager.
Retail Village: A range of individual retailers and artisans all producing quality goods, from hand-crafted jewellery to pottery, inspired by the diverse landscape.
Visit Humber Bridge Garden Centre and The Old Tile Works, Far Ings Road, Barton Upon Humber DN18 5RF. See www.humberbridgegardencentre.co.uk, call 01652 637095. Open Monday–Saturday 9am–5pm, Sunday 10am–4pm.
Nurture Your Blooms
Advice from Humber Bridge Garden Centre
Few plants bring as much romance and prestige to the garden as the rose. From traditional cottage borders to elegant formal beds, roses never go out of fashion.
Fortunately, caring for them is easier than you might expect — and with expert advice from David Austin Roses and top-quality supplies from Humber Bridge Garden Centre, even novice gardeners can achieve floral splendour.
Planting Roses: Getting Off to a Perfect Start
Whether you’re planting a bare root or potted rose, preparation is key. Choose a sunny spot with at least four hours of direct sunlight each day and allow enough space for your rose to reach its mature size.
Use a garden fork to turn the soil and remove any weeds or stones. For bare root varieties, soak the rose in a bucket of water for at least two hours before planting.
Next, dig a hole around 45cm wide and deep. Enrich the base with organic matter such as well-rotted manure or a quality soil improver — Carr’s Organic is a trusted favourite among experienced gardeners. Sprinkle the soil improved over the roots to encourage healthy establishment, then place the rose so the graft union (the base of the stems) sits about 5cm below the soil surface. Backfill with a mixture of soil and compost, firm in gently with your boot, and water thoroughly.
David Austin’s world-renowned English Roses — available from www.davidaustinroses.co.uk — combine the fragrance and charm of heritage varieties with the resilience and repeat flowering of modern cultivars. Look for favourites like ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ or the creamy-blush ‘Claire Austin’ for both beauty and fragrance.
Pruning Roses: Simpler Than You Think
Pruning may sound daunting, but it’s essential for keeping roses healthy and ensuring beautiful flowering. In early spring, equip yourself with sharp secateurs and a sturdy pair of gloves.
Begin by removing any dead, damaged or crossing stems to open up the centre of the plant. Next, reduce height according to age and type: established shrub roses should be cut back by half; climbers and ramblers need only a light trim.
Always cut to an outward-facing bud to encourage graceful, arching growth, and dispose of all cuttings to prevent disease. With practice, pruning becomes second nature — and the rewards are spectacular.
For expert help and a wide selection of David Austin varieties, visit Humber Bridge Garden Centre Barton Upon Humber DN18 5RF. Call 01652 637095, see www.humberbridgegardencentre.co.uk.
Three Rose Varieties
Gertrude Jekyll: Always one of the first English Roses to start flowering, its perfect scrolled buds open to large, rosette-shaped flowers of bright glowing pink. The beautiful, perfectly balanced Old Rose scent is often described as being the quintessential Old Rose fragrance. A vigorous rose; it will form a medium-sized, upright shrub.
Roald Dahl: Soft orange-red buds open to medium-sized, rosettes of perfect apricot colouring. They are extremely robust and have a lovely fruity Tea scent. Matures into an attractive, rounded, bushy shrub with few thorns. Named to mark the centenary of Roald Dahl’s birth.
Tranquillity: Beautifully rounded flowers, with neatly placed petals making up perfect rosettes. The buds are lightly tinged with yellow but as the flowers open they become pure white. A vigorous shrub; its growth is bushy and upright.
See the full feature in this month’s magazine at https://www.pridemagazines.co.uk/lincolnshire/view-magazines?magazine=August-2025