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The New Romantic Garden - a book review

The New Romantic Garden by Jo Thompson Rizzoli, 2025 Jo Thompson is a noted UK garden designer who has won numerous awards at RHS shows. Her style is the epitome of the "romantic English garden" idea - sumptuous borders packed with perennials in pastel colors, arches covered with roses, idyllic meadows and garden rooms. But what is the "new" romantic garden? Described as a fresh perspective of utilizing this lush gardening style into the present-day world, it places an emphasis on organic gardening, biodiversity, plant and soil health.  A scene from the author's own garden... Photo: Rachel Warne In this gorgeous book, Thompson showcases thirty of her gardens, all beautifully described and photographed.  From estate gardens to a London penthouse roof garden, they provide sumptuous eye-candy and inspiration. A peek inside... A London city garden filled with roses and iris (Photo: Jason Ingram) Writer Justine Picardie's garden in Norfolk evokes a feeling of a ...
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Some of the David Austin Roses



A look at some of the David Austin roses in our garden.

'Golden Celebration' was moved from its previous spot where I was growing it as a shrub. There, it was a robust presence but the blooms had a tendency to flop so I am putting it next to an arbor so that it can climb. The clematis 'Chevalier' is growing with it and they make a striking combination.



'Lady Emma Hamilton' is just exquisite and I love the dark red stems. I've noticed that this rose has an unusual tendency to begin blooming from the bottom up. Blackspot has been an issue with it but not bad enough is disown her. The color is just outstanding.

'Lady Emma Hamilton'

'Lady Emma Hamilton'


'Lady of Shallot' is an early bloomer. These photos were taken about a month ago. This is one of the largest roses in the garden. It stands about 6 feet tall and 8 feet wide.

'Lady of Shallot'




The reviews drew me in for 'Olivia Rose' and it is a nice, delicate, light pink color. However, they don't seem to last very long and the shrub itself is a bit lax and unruly. The jury is still out on this one. I have discovered though that roses can take on a completely different character in their second year.

'Olivia Rose'

'Mary Rose' is doing extremely well -

'Mary Rose'


'Mary Rose'


'Tess of the D'Urbervilles' - I probably have too many red roses and I confess that the name drew me to this one. I loved the novel and wrote a research paper on it in college.


'Tess of the D'Urbervilles'


'Darcey Bussell' just added this year. This one is supposed to be a smaller, compact bush -


'Darcey Bussell'


Text and photos by Phillip Oliver, Dirt Therapy
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  1. chavlinessJune 19, 2020 at 11:05 AM

    I do wish you added a photograph of 'Golden Celebration' match up with clematis 'Chevalier'. It sounds amazing (maybe next post). I almost thought 'Mary Rose' was a peony: so very fluffy. No matter how many red roses you have, 'Tess of the D'Urbervilles' must stay, if nothing else then for the nostalgia.

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  2. Lisa at GreenbowJune 19, 2020 at 12:24 PM

    A rose lovers dream. I really like Lady Emma H with the red stems. Olivia looks like what I would say 'blousey'. Pretty to me. I bet she takes up more space than you might want her to.

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