Beauty Awakens with a Budding Gardener:
The Sarah Corbett-Winder Edit
Spring has a way of changing how we see things. The garden feels lighter, looser, and full of possibility. For stylist and fashion-obsessed Sarah Corbett-Winder, this season is full of promise. Known for her effortless aesthetic, Sarah trades her wardrobe for garden gloves on the Welsh Shropshire border to learn the basics of rose planting from David Austin®’s head rosarian, Liam.
"I’ve always been a bit scared to plant roses," Sarah admits. But as she discovers, planting in early spring is the ultimate styling trick. It gives roots time to establish before their big runway debut in June.
In this edit, Sarah brings her instinctive eye for detail to the garden. Below, discover the three roses she plants and why their "cost per look" makes them the ultimate seasonal investment.
Chapter One: The Wardrobe Staple
Planting a Shrub Rose: Eustacia Vye®
A shrub rose is the foundation of a garden wardrobe. Sarah explores Eustacia Vye, a soft, ruffled rose in shades of apricot and blush that settles into a border with a relaxed, natural fullness.
Sarah’s Style Tip: Think of this as your perfect blazer. It brings structure to a mixed border without feeling overly "considered." To give it the best start, Sarah uses Mycorrhizal Fungi, a "good fungi" that helps the plant drink in moisture and nutrients.
Chapter Two: High-Fashion
Planting a Climbing Rose: Bathsheba®
Where a staple anchors, a climber creates drama. Sarah plants Bathsheba, a stunning apricot climber, against a solid wall. The goal is to "guide her up" and eventually fan out the stems to encourage a waterfall of flowers.
The Pro Secret: Liam shows Sarah the "knuckle," the bud union where the stems emerge. The trick is to plant that knuckle about 5cm below the soil and "tamp down" the earth to remove air pockets. Properly tucked in, this climber elegantly softens any hard surface.
Chapter Three: The Statement Piece
Planting in a Pot: James L. Austin®
For Sarah, roses in pots are the ultimate flexible accessory. "It really is simple; anyone can do it!" she exclaims after potting cherry-pink James L. Austin. Using a mix of John Innes No. 3 and multi-purpose compost, Sarah creates a "sensational" look that moves as the garden evolves.
Sarah’s Takeaway: "Your cost per wear, cost per look, really is sensational." Like a classic piece of jewellery, these roses keep coming back every summer, getting better with age.
Bring Sarah’s "green-fingered" transformation to your own space with the essentials from her film:
- Roses: Eustacia Vye, Bathsheba, and James L. Austin.
- The Toolkit: David Austin Rose Food and Mycorrhizal Fungi.
- The Soil: Carrs Organic Soil Improver.
The Growing Collection
Spring is not about the finished look; it is about the first fitting. Whether it is a climber fanned across a wall or a shrub rose adding that perfect layer of texture, Sarah’s journey proves that a garden is simply an extension of one’s personal style. "I’m excited to plant more," she says, already looking ahead to the summer bloom. After all, the best wardrobes and gardens are those that grow with you.
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Companion Planting with Shrub Roses By Liam Beddall, Head Rosarian at David Austin®Shrub roses bring generosity to the garden. Their softly cupped blooms, graceful habit and long flowering season make them natural focal points within a border. Yet, when thoughtfully paired with companion plants, they become part of something even richer: a tapestry of colour, texture and life that unfolds through the seasons. Companion planting is not simply about filling the spaces around a rose. The right partners can extend seasonal interest, encourage beneficial insects and create a garden that feels harmonious and full of movement.
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Rose Recipes With Garden Designer Jo ThompsonRoses are invaluable in a mixed border; I love using them in every garden I create. Roses bring height, form, structure, and, most importantly, they bring romance and magic. The sheer beauty and presence of their blooms is so striking that their charm stays in the memory long after their blooms have faded and gone.
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Highgrove Gardens: A Garden with Purpose and PoiseThere is a sense of calm purpose to Highgrove. The private residence of His Majesty The King is also home to one of Britain’s most admired organic gardens, a living expression of harmony between beauty and sustainability. Every plant is part of a greater whole. Every decision is made with the long view in mind.
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Talking Gardens With Harry Hoblyn, Charleston’s Head GardenerWe asked Harry Hoblyn, Head Gardener at Charleston, to share his insights into the remarkable garden that surrounds this historic home. Deeply intertwined with the artistic legacy of Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant, the gardens at Charleston are a living expression of their creativity.
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Designing With Roses: A Garden Journey with Award-Winning Designer Pollyanna WilkinsonRoses are a staple in many gardens, bringing both beauty and fragrance. At David Austin® Roses, we know how these versatile blooms can change the feel of your outdoor space. Choosing the right roses can enhance any garden, whether you're working on a traditional design, adding life to a shaded corner, or just enjoying the vibrant colours and scents they provide.
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Growing a Love of Roses with ChildrenGuest blog by Helen Cross - Author, Journalist, Presenter, and School Gardening Champion. At the start of every gardening session with a new group of children, I always ask them what flower, fruit, or vegetable they would like to grow in their school garden. You might be surprised, but over the last five years, three or four out of every ten children have told me they want to grow roses.
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Beauty Awakens with a Budding Gardener: The Sarah Corbett-Winder EditSpring has a way of changing how we see things. The garden feels lighter, looser, and full of possibility. For stylist and fashion-obsessed Sarah Corbett-Winder, this season is full of promise. Known for her effortless aesthetic, Sarah trades her wardrobe for garden gloves on the Welsh Shropshire border to learn the basics of rose planting from David Austin®’s head rosarian, Liam.
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Finding the Right Rose for Your Garden: Choosing Roses for FragranceFragrance is one of the most memorable qualities a rose can offer. A single bloom can perfume a whole corner of the garden, while a path edged with scented roses can transform an ordinary walk into something quietly special. Yet not every rose smells the same, and understanding the different types of fragrance can help you choose varieties that bring the experience you are hoping for.
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Companion Planting with Shrub Roses By Liam Beddall, Head Rosarian at David Austin®Shrub roses bring generosity to the garden. Their softly cupped blooms, graceful habit and long flowering season make them natural focal points within a border. Yet, when thoughtfully paired with companion plants, they become part of something even richer: a tapestry of colour, texture and life that unfolds through the seasons. Companion planting is not simply about filling the spaces around a rose. The right partners can extend seasonal interest, encourage beneficial insects and create a garden that feels harmonious and full of movement.
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Finding the Right Rose for Your Garden: Choosing the Shape and Size of Your Rose BloomsIn our previous guide, “Choosing Your Rose Colour,” we explored how colour is often the first thing that draws us to a rose. Once colour has caught the eye, the next detail many gardeners begin to notice is the shape and size of the flower itself.
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Finding the Right Rose for Your Garden: Choosing Your Rose ColourWhen choosing a rose, colour is often the first thing that captures our attention. Long before we notice fragrance or the form of the bloom, it is usually the colour that quietly draws us in.
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Early Signs of Life in the Rose GardenIn early spring the garden begins to feel quietly alive again. The rose bushes, which only weeks ago stood still and bare, begin to show the first gentle signs that the new season is underway.
