Best English Roses for Partial Shade
Best Roses for Partial Shade, Best English Roses for Shade, Shade Tolerant Roses
While most roses perform best in full sun (more than 6 hours a day), a number of English roses also enjoy partial shade where they will reward you with their sumptuous blooms. However, they will need to receive at least 4 to 5 hours of sunshine daily. In very warm areas, some English Roses may actually prefer to be shaded from the height of the midday sun.
Pale or pastel-colored roses are actually better-suited for a shady display, where they will brighten up dark garden spots. The good news is that both their fragrance and flowers will last longer in the shade than they will do in full sun.
Here is the list of English rose varieties that welcome partial shade. Their reliable garden performance, vigorous growth, disease-resistance and prolific season-long blooms will help you create a spectacular floral display requiring minimal maintenance.
Best English Roses for Partial Shade
Rosa 'A Shropshire Lad' (English Rose)
Noted for it rich, fruity fragrance, Rosa 'A Shropshire Lad' is absolutely ravishing with its large rosettes displaying up to 100 perfectly arranged, soft and peachy pink petals. Remaining beautiful at all stages, the shallow cup is delicately framed with pale outer petals that are slightly back turning. Blooming from late spring until frost, it remains attractive throughout, with the flowers holding their perfect shape to the end. This David Austin variety of English Rose is related to 'Leander' from which it inherits its health, vigor and almost thornless growth.
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My CollectionHardiness | 5 - 9 |
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Height | 5' - 8' (150cm - 240cm) |
Spread | 4' - 5' (120cm - 150cm) |
Rosa 'Ambridge Rose' (English Rose)
Bred by David Austin in 1990, Rosa 'Ambridge Rose' is still very popular today for various reasons. First, it is particularly beautiful with its fully double, nicely cupped, blooms that open to form a loose rosette formation. Elegantly held above the healthy, medium green foliage, its medium sized blooms (3.5 in; 9 cm) exhibit a pure apricot color on the inner petals that is gradually paling to pale apricot/pink on the outside of the petals. Second, this lovely rose is rich of a powerful and outstanding myrrh fragrance, which is overwhelming when planted as a group of no less than three plants. Finally, this small shrub rose blooms continually throughout the season and creates a spectacular, floral display.
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My CollectionHardiness | 5 - 10 |
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Height | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Spread | 1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
Rosa 'Benjamin Britten' (English Rose)
This English rose combines beauty, fragrance, a remarkably long-blooming season and a high resistance to diseases. Adding excitement to the garden with its striking and unusual coloring, this shrub rose features deeply-cupped, double blossoms that open as a deep salmon pink and change to slightly cupped rosettes of a pure saturated pink-red. Borne on gracefully arching stems, rich of a shiny, deep green foliage, it has a strong, fruity fragrance that makes it a superb cut flower. Excellent repeat bloomer.
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My CollectionHardiness | 6 - 10 |
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Height | 4' - 10' (120cm - 3m) |
Spread | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Rosa 'Brother Cadfael' (English Rose)
English Rose 'Brother Cadfael' features some of the largest and most spectacular blooms of all the English Roses. Resembling peonies, the huge (5 in. wide or 12 cm), globular, clear pink flowers are deeply cupped, with reflexed petals (about 45) giving a slightly enclosed effect. They are never clumsy and are elegantly born on almost thornless stems atop a foliage of dark green leaves. Rich of a particularly strong Old Rose fragrance that is similar to that of the old Bourbon Roses, this variety is more successful in cooler areas. In warmer areas, growth can be a bit exuberant, requiring summer pruning.
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My CollectionHardiness | 5 - 9 |
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Height | 5' - 8' (150cm - 240cm) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Rosa 'Constance Spry' (English Rose)
Winter hardy, award-winning Rosa 'Constance Spry' is the first of David Austin English roses. This truly remarkable Rose produces sumptuous, huge, 4 in. wide (10 cm), deeply cupped, rounded double flowers full of soft pink petals (26-40 petals). Rich of a strong, sweet myrrh fragrance, 'Constance Spry' is a vigorous, strong-growing, medium to large spreading shrub with generous foliage. It may be grown as a medium-sized climber as its flexible canes are easy to train - and the more they are twisted horizontally around a support, the more profuse the flowering will be the following year since this superb rose flowers on old wood. Blooms overwhelmingly for 4 weeks once in late spring or early summer.
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My CollectionHardiness | 5 - 9 |
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Height | 4' - 9' (120cm - 270cm) |
Spread | 6' - 10' (180cm - 3m) |
Rosa 'Crown Princess Margareta' (English Rose)
This English Rose produces large clusters of strongly fruity scented, many-petaled flowers, whose color invariably draws attention. It displays a simply exquisite apricot-orange color, slowly fading to yellow as the rosettes mature. This tall, slightly arching shrub is ideal as a short climber or for the back of the border, where in both cases, it makes a striking statement. Excellent repeat bloomer.
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My CollectionHardiness | 5 - 10 |
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Height | 5' - 10' (150cm - 3m) |
Spread | 4' - 5' (120cm - 150cm) |
Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll' (English Rose)
Fabulously scented with an old-rose fragrance, English Rose 'Gertrude Jekyll' produces clusters of the most beautiful, large, fully double flowers of rich glowing pink. This beauty is considered one of the finest creations of David Austin. Vigorous and reliable, it truly deserves a spot where its strong, rich perfume can be appreciated. Fairly versatile, it may be grown as an upright and bushy shrub or trained as a short climber. Good repeat bloomer.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 8 |
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Height | 5' - 10' (150cm - 3m) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Rosa 'Golden Celebration' (English Rose)
One of the finest English Roses on the market with its very large, deeply cupped, fully petaled golden-yellow flowers (55-75 petals) atop a dark glossy green foliage. Exceptionally fragrant, this rose exudes an incredible perfume, a mix of Tea rose and fruit aromas. Grows in a compact, rounded, slightly arching shrub. Ideal as a short climber or for the back of the border and does wonders brightening up a dull area of the garden! Makes a lovely hedge too! Excellent repeat bloomer.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 9 |
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Height | 4' - 8' (120cm - 240cm) |
Spread | 4' - 5' (120cm - 150cm) |
Rosa 'Grace' (English Rose)
Deliciously scented, English Rose 'Grace' is a lovely apricot rose with large (3 in. - 7 cm), fully double, cupped blossoms (80 petals) in breathtaking shades of pure apricot, slightly deeper in the center and paler toward the edges. The blooms are fabulous at all stages, from the pointed buds to the perfect mature rosettes with their reflexed outer petals. Strongly scented with a tea fragrance, they offer a stunning contrast against the fresh, apple green foliage. This rose is truly unique. Excellent repeat bloomer.
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My CollectionHardiness | 5 - 10 |
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Height | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Rosa 'Graham Thomas' (English Rose)
One of the most popular and recognizable English Roses ever! Bred by David Austin, 'Graham Thomas' features a truly unique color with its clusters of round red and yellow buds opening to shallow-cupped rich, pure yellow flowers with golden overtones. Incredibly scented with a fresh, fruity Tea Rose perfume! Voted the World's favorite rose by 41 rose societies in 2009. Very versatile, can be trained as a climber, effective as an hedge or accent plant. Excellent repeat bloomer.
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My CollectionHardiness | 5 - 10 |
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Height | 5' - 10' (150cm - 3m) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Rosa 'Heritage' (English Rose)
Repeat-flowering and one of the most planted of all English Roses, 'Heritage' is a fantastic Rose which produces perfectly cup-shaped, fully double flowers (40 petals) with pale pink outer petals that fade to white and inner petals that are blush pink. It emits a very pleasant and strong fragrance, a mix of old rose with musk, carnation, myrrh and honey. They are elegantly held on upright to arching, almost thornless stems, against the lovely gray-green glossy foliage. Vigorous, bushy, you may want to train this beauty as a short climber to let its scent hang beautifully in the air! Blooming in flushes from late spring until frost, this Rose is an excellent repeat bloomer.
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My CollectionHardiness | 5 - 10 |
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Height | 4' - 7' (120cm - 210cm) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Rosa 'Hyde Hall' (English Rose)
Notably hardy, tough and disease resistant, English Rose 'Hyde Hall' is a very large shrub rose, which flowers continuously throughout the summer. Free-flowering, the abundant blooms are rosette-shaped, double (55 petals), medium-sized, about 3 in. wide (7 cm) in a medium pink shade. They emit a relatively light but delightfully mild fruity fragrance. Shade tolerant, 'Hyde Hall' is a great choice as a boundary hedge or screen.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 9 |
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Height | 6' - 8' (180cm - 240cm) |
Spread | 4' - 6' (120cm - 180cm) |
Rosa 'James Galway' (English Rose)
Repeat-flowering, Rosa 'James Galway' is a fabulous English Rose which produces large, double flowers, full of many neatly arranged petals. Warm pink at the heart and delicately shading to paler hues at the edges, the blossoms emit a medium old rose fragrance. Tough, trouble-free and versatile, this lovely rose may be grown in a superb, large shrub with long and slightly arching canes or as a short climber. Excellent repeat bloomer.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 9 |
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Height | 5' - 10' (150cm - 3m) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Rosa 'Jude the Obscure' (English Rose)
Whether grown as a large arching shrub or as a climber, English Rose 'Jude the Obscure' (Ausjo) is one of the most magnificent sights with its superb, pale yellow and soft apricot, large chalice-shaped blossoms counting up to 70 petals! Prized for its deliciously strong fruity fragrance, which earned it an award, this rose should be planted near to the house or close a seating area or path, where its delicious perfume can be enjoyed at close quarters. Blooming in flushes from late spring to fall, it is free flowering with its fully double blooms providing a charming display against the mid-green foliage.
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My CollectionHardiness | 5 - 10 |
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Height | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Rosa 'Lady of Shalott' (English Rose)
Repeat-flowering, Rosa 'Lady of Shalott' is prized by Rose connoisseurs and thought to be one of the best David Austin Roses, thanks to its remarkable blooming performance throughout the season, its disease resistance and its spectacular apricot chalice-shaped blossoms filled with loosely arranged petals (about 60 petals). They contrast beautifully with the foliage, a mix of red-bronze leaves maturing to mid-green, and are elegantly held on a large, bushy shrub with slightly arching stems. Delightfully scented, with a light tea fragrance and hints of spiced apple and cloves. Delightfully scented, with a light tea fragrance.
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My CollectionHardiness | 5 - 9 |
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Height | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Rosa 'Queen of Sweden' (English Rose)
A very prolific and charming bloomer, David Austin English Rose 'Queen of Sweden' features exceptionally pretty clusters of 3 in. (7 cm),fully double blossoms of the softest glowing apricot-pink, later maturing to pure soft pink. The blooms start as little buds, gradually developing into wide, shallow cups (41 petals) and carry a delicate myrrh fragrance. This medium size rose shrub has an upright habit and bushy growth with a handsome foliage that is exceptionally healthy. Excellent repeat bloomer.
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My CollectionHardiness | 5 - 9 |
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Height | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spread | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Rosa 'Roosemoor' (English Rose)
Repeat-flowering and delightfully fragrant, English Rose 'Rosemoor' is a very charming rose which produces perfectly rosette-shaped, small, double (41 petals), soft pink flowers, about 2.5 in. wide (7 cm). Deeper pink at their heart, the abundant blooms pale as they age and reveal a tiny green eye which provides a most pleasing effect. Rich of a strong 'Old Rose' fragrance, with hints of apple, cucumber and violet leaf, they are born on a bushy, upright shrub that is very disease resistant. A very vigorous and free-flowering rose shrub that is also shade tolerant.
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My CollectionHardiness | 5 - 9 |
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Height | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spread | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Rosa 'St Swithun' (Climbing Rose)
How to resist the charm and fragrance of this lovely Rose? Rosa 'St Swithun' produces very large, fully double flowers, full of over 120 frilly petals neatly arranged around a central button eye. Soft pink at its heart, the blossoms gradually fade to the palest pink at the edges and exude a strong fragrance that is reminiscent of pure myrrh. Quick repeat-flowering, vigorous, tough and reliable, 'St Swithun' features a bushy growth that makes it perfect as a tall shrub or trained as a short climber. Actually, this is one of the best climbers! Blooming in flushes from late spring until frost, this Rose is an excellent repeat bloomer.
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My CollectionHardiness | 5 - 9 |
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Height | 4' - 8' (120cm - 240cm) |
Spread | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Rosa 'Susan Williams-Ellis' (English Rose)
Extremely winter hardy, David Austin English Rose 'Susan Williams-Ellis' is a 'sport' of Austin's popular pink rose 'The Mayflower' which was introduced in 2001. Like its parent, this exceptional white rose features a vigorous disease resistance and flowers very early in the season - two to three weeks before most other roses – and then continues to bloom nearly non-stop until frost. It features charming rosette-shaped, pure white flowers (135 petals), rich of a strong and perfectly Old Rose fragrance. Excellent repeat bloomer.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 8 |
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Height | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spread | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Rosa 'Teasing Georgia' (English Rose)
Rich of multiple awards collected in the UK and around the world, including the Henry Edland Medal in 2000 for the best scented variety, English Rose 'Teasing Georgia' is not only pleasantly fragrant, but is also one of the most refined and robust golden roses. Replete with large, cup-shaped flowers, it provides a delightful two-tone effect: a rich, golden yellow center beautifully framed by pale yellow outer petals. Excellent repeat bloomer.
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My CollectionHardiness | 5 - 10 |
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Height | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Rosa 'Tess of The d'Urbervilles' (English Rose)
An excellent choice where space is limited! This short and compact climber produces large, bright crimson, deeply cupped flowers beautifully contrasting with the foliage of large, dark green leaves. Bred by David Austin, this English Rose also emits a strong Old Rose fragrance and makes a very pretty sight both as a shrub and as a short climber. Blooming in flushes from late spring until frost, this is an excellent repeat bloomer. Excellent resistance to disease. Reliable and easy to grow.
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My CollectionHardiness | 5 - 9 |
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Height | 4' - 8' (120cm - 240cm) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Rosa 'The Generous Gardener' (English Rose)
Repeat-flowering and one of the most fragrant of all English Roses, 'The Generous Gardener' is a fabulous Rose which features breathtakingly large, double flowers reminiscent of water lilies. Pale pink, they are deliciously fragrant, a mix of old rose, musk and myrrh, and are elegantly held on strong, arching thornless stems against the lovely green glossy foliage. Tall, bushy and well-branched, you may want to train this beauty as a climbing rose to let its scent hang beautifully in the air! Good repeat bloomer.
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My CollectionHardiness | 5 - 9 |
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Height | 5' - 10' (150cm - 3m) |
Spread | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Rosa 'The Mayflower' (English Rose)
'The Mayflower' is very charming with its medium sized, fully double, rose pink rosettes (140 petals), rich of a strong old rose fragrance. The unique features of this rose shrub are its complete resistance to blackspot, powdery mildew or rust, and its continuous flowering - from very early in the season (earlier than any other roses) till frost. A small, compact, impressively bushy and extremely healthy rose shrub with excellent vigor and quick repeat bloom that is rarely without flowers! Excellent repeat bloomer.
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My CollectionHardiness | 5 - 9 |
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Height | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spread | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Rosa 'Wildeve' (English Rose)
Repeat-flowering and healthy, English Rose 'Wildeve' is a fantastic rose which produces perfectly rosette-shaped, distinctly quartered, medium-sized, fully double flowers (70 petals), about 4-6 in. wide (10-15 cm). The abundant blooms are an extraordinary blush pink delicately touched with apricot. Very rain-resistant, they emit a fresh and pleasing medium strong fragrance. They are borne on long, gracefully arching branches, which eventually form a bushy, rounded shrub. Free-flowering, vigorous, robust and hardy, you may want to train this beauty against a short fence, where its blooms will no doubt be admired by onlookers!
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My CollectionHardiness | 5 - 10 |
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Height | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spread | 2' - 3' (60cm - 90cm) |
Rosa Bonica® (Floribunda Rose)
Rosa Bonica® (Floribunda Rose) is an irresistible variety of shrub rose which produces generous sprays of semi-double, shell-pink flowers nicely complimented by the dark, glossy foliage. Bushy and sturdy, this spreading small shrub is a repeat bloomer that is highly reliable and almost disease free. Blooming in flushes from late spring until frost, it remains attractive throughout, with its flowers replaced by a wonderful display of bright red hips which will last long into the winter. Its noteworthy qualities have earned it many awards including the Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society and the All-America Rose Award.
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My CollectionHardiness | 4 - 9 |
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Height | 3' - 4' (90cm - 120cm) |
Spread | 4' - 5' (120cm - 150cm) |
Garden Examples
Guide Information
Hardiness |
4 - 9
|
---|---|
Plant Type | Roses |
Plant Family | Rosa - Roses |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy |
Attracts | Butterflies |
Landscaping Ideas | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Cutting Garden, Formal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |
* Pictures are courtesy of David Austin
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Guide Information
Hardiness |
4 - 9
|
---|---|
Plant Type | Roses |
Plant Family | Rosa - Roses |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early,Mid,Late) Fall |
Water Needs | Average |
Maintenance | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Plant of Merit, Showy |
Attracts | Butterflies |
Landscaping Ideas | Beds and Borders |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Cutting Garden, Formal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |
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