Golden Showers
Cast lead crystal, bronze, metallic foil
80 H x 135 W x 6 D cm
The virtues of Golden Showers are its cheerful blossoms, elegant in the young bud; the sweet scent of its wide opening, semi-double flowers and the way they drop cleanly when they are done; its continuance to bloom almost without pause from Summer to late Autumn; its pleasing glossy foliage, its compliance in growing as far as gardeners would wish it to; not sulking however badly pruned; and its comparative smoothness, which makes it easier to handle.
Against the assets must be weighed the snags - the fleeting nature of the flowers, their loss of colour as they age, and a tinge of seasonal mildew. On balance, and lacking serious competition, this all-purpose climber must be considered still a front-rank rose.
Charlotte Armstrong x Captain Thomas
Botanica's Roses, The Encyclopedia of Roses.
Forward by David Austin, Random House, 1998