Blooming rose spans from autumn to summer, illuminating a captivating London corner, under the care of a unique individual
In the heart of London, the 3.5-acre garden in Eccleston Square has been transformed into a haven of botanical beauty, thanks to the efforts of renowned gardener Roger Phillips. Over the years, Phillips has cultivated a diverse collection of plants, including an array of roses that have achieved prodigious size and are hosts for climbing and rambling roses.
One of the most notable roses in the garden is the 'Rosa 'Général Schablikine'', bred by the renowned French rose breeder Gilbert Nabonnand in 1878. This rose was named after a Russian general and hero of the Crimean War who later became Nabonnand's neighbour upon retiring to Provence. The 'Rosa 'Général Schablikine'' is particularly special as it flowers continuously from October to summer, a trait that has impressed many, including gardener and author George Plumptre, who cherishes it as a favourite.
Another unique rose in the garden is the 'Rosa 'Alister Stella Gray''. This rose, like many others in the garden, has achieved a substantial size and adds to the garden's charm.
The garden also boasts a rare tree, the Crinodendron patagua, with evergreen foliage and small, creamy-white lily-like flowers. Another rare tree, Crinodendron hookerianum, with distinctive bright red lantern flowers, also finds a home in this garden.
The garden's extensive collections also include ceanothus, camellias, tree peonies, and a variety of roses. The tea and China roses, in particular, flower for months on end, adding to the garden's continuous bloom.
Roger Phillips's book, "Trees," has been re-released by Macmillan in a revised edition. This comprehensive guide covers trees from North America, Europe, the UK, and Ireland, with an expanded list of 650 species from the original 500. The book's images, particularly in the Leaf Key Index, are painstakingly detailed and contribute significantly to the content.
The Eccleston Square garden, managed by Roger Phillips, opens annually in May through the National Garden Scheme. George Plumptre, the chief executive of the National Garden Scheme, praises the garden for its unique beauty and diversity.
For those interested in subscribing to the platform, more information can be found here. The book "Trees" by Roger Phillips, published by Macmillan, is currently available for £35.
The backstory of the rose 'Rosa 'Général Schablikine'' is that it was bred in 1878 by the renowned French rose breeder Gilbert Nabonnand. Nabonnand named this rose after a Russian general and hero of the Crimean War who later became his neighbour upon retiring to Provence.
Lastly, the garden also features a rose not commonly known, called "Cooper's Burmese" or "R. cooperi," which is particularly distinctive. This garden, a testament to Phillips's unique style of combining simplicity of description with botanical authenticity, continues to be a must-visit for plant enthusiasts and casual visitors alike.
[1] Original appearance of this feature was in the July 23, 2025, issue of The Times.
This Eccleston Square garden, under the care of renowned gardener Roger Phillips, is not only a haven for botanical beauty but also a showcase of unique plants, such as the 'Rosa 'Général Schablikine', a rose that blooms continuously from October to summer, and 'Rosa 'Alister Stella Gray', another large rose that adds to the garden's charm. Additionally, the garden houses rare trees, like the Crinodendron patagua with small, creamy-white lily-like flowers, and the Crinodendron hookerianum with bright red lantern flowers. For those interested in gardening, home-and-garden enthusiasts, and fashion-and-beauty aficionados, this garden offers a blend of style and botanical authenticity, much like Roger Phillips's book "Trees," a comprehensive guide to trees across various continents.
