english rose, david austin

This English shrub rose family features the finest classic rose attributes with a hardier growth habit producing large, old-fashioned cabbage-like blossoms of many different colors, pastels and jewel tones, from June to October on strong, bushy stems over medium disease resistant foliage. Flowers typically possess a powerful old rose fragrance and are repeat blooming. This type of shrub rose can be trained into a short climber if desired. Use in the garden as a specimen rose, border accent or in a cutting garden. Developed by David Austin.

Plant in well-drained, amended soil at least 2-4′ apart. Water well after planting; maintain 1” of water once a week the first year. Prune down to uppermost new growth in early spring. Feed at least three times (full leaf, after first bloom, and in August) during the growing season with a slow release fertilizer. Follow label instructions. Mulch 2″ to suppress weeds, retain moisture and protect against extremes of soil temperature. Deadhead and clean around the base of the plant as much as possible. Keep an insect and disease control such as Neem Oil on hand. Wrap in burlap or spray with Wilt-stop to protect from winter desiccation and mulch the base 4-6″ in late November.