HelpMeFind Roses, Clematis and Peonies
Roses, Clematis and Peonies
and everything gardening related.
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'MATtgrex' rose References
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Website/Catalog  (2018)  Page(s) 36.  Includes photo(s).
 
Spirit of SACS MATTgrex (N)  Named after SA’s oldest school, SACS (SA College School). It grows with modern vigour into a dense, medium to tall shrub which is covered with immaculate, white blooms from early spring into winter. The blooms appear in large clusters as well as individually on long stems which have few prickles. Grows & flowers in sunny positions in any climate & region. 
Book  (2005)  Page(s) 199.  
 
'Pure Magic' (MATtgrex, 'Spirit of SACS). Floribunda. white. int. 2000. CRL - TT3. [Tasman Bay Roses].
(16 Feb 1999)  
 
I have nothing against the original intentions of David Austin, i.e. to produce modern roses with old-fashioned looking blooms. In fact I very much like a number of his releases. What I dislike is how they have become a sort of cult following. I think it rather sad and narrow-minded that people will devote their entire rose garden to Austin cultivars - or to roses from any one breeder for that matter!. I also feel that Austin roses are now all becoming much of a muchness - there really is nothing novel anymore, yet people continue to buy them as though they are obsessed. What is very interesting here in New Zealand is that a local breeder, Bob Matthews, is focussing on producing Austin-like blooms on far more compact floribundas. He has produced an exceptional white named <b>Pure Magic</b> by crossing Sexy Rexy with Graham Thomas; and a very nice apricot bred from Abraham Darby. This line of thinking has a great future in my opinion.
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Doug Bone
Auckland Regional Botanic Gardens
Aotearoa - New Zealand
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