SOMETIMES, a great horticulturist comes along who changes our tastes and creates new markets. The rose breeder David Austin was one such: who would have supposed, 50 years ago, that roses with muddled centres would oust the elegant Hybrid Teas and super-floriferous Floribunda roses that everyone grew and loved?
Let me introduce you to Hans Hachmann, another innovator, but little known to English gardeners. He was by far the most significant breeder of rhododendrons of the 20th century. Better than Loder, Aberconway, Millais and de Rothschild? Yes, without a doubt.
