Need help choosing the right rose?
At David Austin®, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. Through our BLOOM initiative, we are committed to caring for the environment while ensuring our beautiful roses thrive. One of the key ways we achieve this is through our water recycling scheme.
On-site, we have two reservoirs and a nearby stream. Together, these vital resources provide the water needed for our roses. Our water capture and recycling system collects 60-80% of the rainwater and excess irrigation water that falls on our nursery. In fact, this system supplies over 90% of the water we need each year.
The combined capacity of our two reservoirs and the stream totals an impressive 126,000 cubic metres of water, equivalent to filling about 50 Olympic-sized swimming pools!
Our water recycling process is simple. We collect rainwater from our buildings and any surplus irrigation water used for our roses. After filtering and treating this water, we store it in our two reservoirs for reuse.
The bottom reservoir collects surface runoff and rainwater, which is then pumped into the top reservoir, along with water from the stream. To ensure the water is of high quality, we test pH levels weekly and check for harmful pathogens. Due to the size of our main reservoir, we actually have to use a dinghy to collect water samples. This water is held until it is needed for irrigation, typically from April to September.
When it's time to water our roses, the water flows from the top reservoir through a siphon to a holding tank. From there, it is gravity-fed back to our roses, ensuring efficient use of every drop. We use a copper dosing machine to treat the water, effectively removing harmful spores that could affect our roses. Once treated, the water is distributed throughout our nursery to keep our plants healthy.
Our commitment to sustainability is more than just a policy; it's woven into our daily operations. Through our BLOOM initiative and water recycling scheme, we work diligently to protect the environment while growing our beautiful roses. At David Austin®, we take pride in leading the way in sustainability, ensuring our roses bloom beautifully for many years to come while caring for the planet.
Pink is the colour we most associate with roses. Shades range from softest blush pink, to pure rose pink, right through to bright magenta pink. Some pink varieties are tinged with other colours such as apricot, peach or lilac. Indeed, there is no other colour in roses that offers the possibility of so much variation as do the various shades of pink.
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