David Austin Roses, also known as English Roses, combine the charm of old garden roses with the repeat blooming and resilience of modern hybrids.
David Austin Roses are celebrated worldwide for their stunning beauty, rich fragrances, and continuous blooms, merging the charm of old-fashioned roses with the reliability of modern varieties. Developed by British horticulturist David Austin, these roses have revolutionized the rose industry by combining the beauty of Old Roses with the robust characteristics of contemporary hybrids. Whether you’re a seasoned gardener or a novice, David Austin Roses offer an unparalleled garden experience, bringing elegance, fragrance, and color to any landscape.
David Austin Roses, also known as English Roses, are a collection of hybrid roses bred to embody the best qualities of old garden roses and modern cultivars. David Austin began his rose-breeding journey in the 1960s with a vision of creating roses that combined the romantic, cupped blooms and intoxicating scents of old garden roses (such as Gallicas, Damasks, and Alba roses) with the repeat-flowering ability, wide color range, and disease resistance of modern roses like Hybrid Tea Roses and Floribunda Roses.
These roses have become synonymous with beauty and elegance, offering a wide range of colors, growth habits, and fragrances. From climbers to shrub roses, each variety has been meticulously bred for its unique charm and exceptional garden performance.
Many David Austin roses have received the prestigious Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society.
David Austin’s passion for roses began in his teenage years, inspired by the beauty and fragrance of old garden roses like Gallicas, Damasks, and Albas. However, these traditional roses only bloomed once a year and lacked the variety and vigor of modern hybrids. Determined to create the perfect rose, Austin sought to combine the romantic charm of antique roses with the repeat-flowering ability and hardiness of contemporary varieties.
His first major success came in 1961 with Rosa Constance Spry, a rose with large, cupped blooms and a strong myrrh fragrance. Though it only flowered once in spring, it marked the beginning of a revolutionary breeding program.
Over his lifetime, he introduced over 190 cultivars through his nursery, David Austin Roses, in Albrighton, near Wolverhampton, including the popular and award-winning roses Gertrude Jekyll, Graham Thomas, Claire Austin, Crown Princess Margareta, The Generous Gardener, and Princess Anne.
While not officially recognized as a distinct rose class by horticultural societies, Austin’s English Roses became immensely popular worldwide. His family continues his legacy, with his son and grandson managing the business. Austin passed away in 2018, leaving behind a transformative legacy in the rose industry, celebrated for creating some of the most beloved roses in modern history.
David Austin Roses offer a diverse range of colors, forms, and fragrances, making them a standout choice for any garden.
David Austin Roses have garnered a loyal following among gardeners for their exceptional beauty, fragrance, and garden performance. Here’s a closer look at the benefits and potential challenges of growing these beloved roses.
Hardiness |
4 - 10 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Climbers, Roses, Shrubs |
Plant Family | Rosaceae |
Genus | Rosa, Rosa - Climbing Rose, Rosa - Shrub Rose |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Maintenance | Average |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral, Alkaline |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy |
Landscaping Ideas | Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |
Hardiness |
4 - 10 |
---|---|
Plant Type | Climbers, Roses, Shrubs |
Plant Family | Rosaceae |
Genus | Rosa, Rosa - Climbing Rose, Rosa - Shrub Rose |
Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun |
Season of Interest | Spring (Late), Summer (Early, Mid, Late), Fall |
Maintenance | Average |
Water Needs | Average |
Soil Type | Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand |
Soil pH | Acid, Neutral, Alkaline |
Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Well-Drained |
Characteristics | Cut Flowers, Fragrant, Showy |
Landscaping Ideas | Arbors, Pergolas, Trellises, Beds And Borders, Hedges And Screens, Patio And Containers, Wall-Side Borders |
Garden Styles | City and Courtyard, Informal and Cottage, Traditional Garden |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
Join now and start creating your dream garden!