Jo Thompson on Substack: "And just look at who’s turned the lights on this day after the Winter Solstice. It’s been hard saving up my top three for these last days of this calendar, but there was no doubt as to whom should be appearing. This one so nearly made it to the 24th, but the truth is, I simply …"

And just look at who’s turned the lights on this day after the Winter Solstice.

It’s been hard saving up my top three for these last days of this calendar, but there was no doubt as to whom should be appearing. This one so nearly made it to the 24th, but the truth is, I simply couldn’t wait.

David Austin did it once again with this jewel. Her name, Rosa ‘The Lark Ascending’, brings to mind exquisite beauty and harmony, and her flowers do the same.

Apart from the how-is-that-possible translucence and deceptive seeming-fragility of these wonderful flowers, I can never get over the light that they bring into the garden. They actually make light. I think that instead of the funny new light bulbs we are meant to be using, we should just pop The Lark Ascending into dark corners and wait for the flowers to sizzle into bright life.

Who knows what colour these flowers are: swipe along and you’ll see peach, pink, coral, yellow, orange, lemon and apricot. I have no idea how all those shades work together, but they do, in a manner that I feel can only be described as wondrous

Dec 22

7:18 AM