"We can complain because rose bushes have thorns, or rejoice because thorn bushes have roses." -- Abraham Lincoln
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Years ago I sent for a David Austin catalog. When it arrived, I longingly looked at the photos and dreamed of them in my garden. Through the years I had tried to grow a few roses, but they never did well. I had seen my neighbors tending their roses, putting so much work into them, but they still never thrived and only lived a short period of time. I just knew I would be wasting my money on the Austin Roses.
Fast forward nearly ten years and I am working in the garden of a lady who collects roses. She tells me I can take cuttings if I would like, but I pass. Even if I could get them to root, there was no way they would do well for me. True, a few years ago I had taken a cutting of an old rose in a cemetery, and not only did it root easily, the plant thrived, but I thought that an exception. After working in her garden for a couple of seasons, I noticed the Roses didn't take that much care, maybe I could do it. Guess what ... I was right! |
When selecting Roses, the biggest piece of advice I can give is to get quality, healthy roses suited for your area from a reputable source. If you get a $2 rose from a box store, it will perform like a $2 rose and last like one, too. Though there are other reputable sources, for now I can recommend David Austin Roses, High Country Roses and Northland Rosarium.
Most roses require full sun, but some not only can take partial sun, but do better in it. Rose bushes take awhile for the blossoms to develop their mature form and scent. The quality of the soil, amount of moisture and even the temperature can effect the fragrance, color and quality of the bloom. Roses that bloom on new wood should be pruned early in the spring to promote new growth. I prefer to prune back fairly hard to encourage lots of new growth from the bottom. Roses that bloom on old wood should be pruned as needed immediately after they bloom. For lots of great growing information, including organic rose gardening, check out David Austin and Heirloom Roses' websites.
Though many roses are easily propagated by cutting, some do better with grafting, division or from seed. For instructions on propagating from cuttings, visit my blog posting, Propagating Roses.
Most roses require full sun, but some not only can take partial sun, but do better in it. Rose bushes take awhile for the blossoms to develop their mature form and scent. The quality of the soil, amount of moisture and even the temperature can effect the fragrance, color and quality of the bloom. Roses that bloom on new wood should be pruned early in the spring to promote new growth. I prefer to prune back fairly hard to encourage lots of new growth from the bottom. Roses that bloom on old wood should be pruned as needed immediately after they bloom. For lots of great growing information, including organic rose gardening, check out David Austin and Heirloom Roses' websites.
Though many roses are easily propagated by cutting, some do better with grafting, division or from seed. For instructions on propagating from cuttings, visit my blog posting, Propagating Roses.
Rosa ‘Abraham Darby’
a.k.a. ‘AUScot’ Austin Rose, English Rose 1985 shrub in zones 4-10 full sun blooms on new wood May-October bloom |
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Rosa ‘Ambridge Rose’
a.k.a. ‘AUSwonder’ Austin Rose, English Rose PP 8679 1990 shrub in zones 5-10 full sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘America’
a.k.a. ‘JACclam’ PP 3682 1976 climber in zones 4-9 full sun blooms on new wood May-October bloom |
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Rosa ‘Bathsheba’
a.k.a. ‘AUSchimbley’
2016
climber in zones 5-9
full sun
prune early for easier identification of less healthy stems
June-November bloom
New to our garden in 2020.
a.k.a. ‘AUSchimbley’
2016
climber in zones 5-9
full sun
prune early for easier identification of less healthy stems
June-November bloom
New to our garden in 2020.
Rosa ‘Benjamin Britten’
a.k.a. ‘AUSencart’, ‘Ben Britten’ Austin Rose, English Rose 2001 climber/shrub in zones 5-10 full to partial sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘Bishop’s Castle’
Austin Rose, English Rose PP18712 1990 shrub in zones 5-10 full sun blooms on new wood May-Nov bloom |
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Rosa ‘Carding Mill’
a.k.a. ‘AUSwest’ Austin Rose, English Rose 2004 shrub in zones 5-9 full sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘Charles Darwin’
a.k.a. ‘AUSpeet’
Austin Rose, English Rose
PP 13992 2001
shrub in zones 5-10
full sun
blooms on new wood
May-Novebmber bloom
a.k.a. ‘AUSpeet’
Austin Rose, English Rose
PP 13992 2001
shrub in zones 5-10
full sun
blooms on new wood
May-Novebmber bloom
Rosa ‘Charlotte’
a.k.a. ‘AUSpoly’ ‘Elgin Festival’ Austin Rose, English Rose PP 9008 1994 shrub in zones 5-10 full sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘Chicago Peace’
a.k.a. ‘JOHnago’ PP 2037 1962 hybrid tea in zones 5-9 full sun blooms on new wood July-November bloom Changes from yellow to pink. |
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Rosa ‘Claire Austin’
a.k.a. ‘AUSprior’
Austin Rose, English Rose
PP 19465 2007
shrub in zones 6-9
full sun
blooms on new wood
May-November bloom
a.k.a. ‘AUSprior’
Austin Rose, English Rose
PP 19465 2007
shrub in zones 6-9
full sun
blooms on new wood
May-November bloom
Rosa ‘Crocus Rose’
a.k.a. ‘AUSquest’, ‘City of Timaru’, ‘Emanuel’ Austin Rose, English Rose PP 14092 2000 shrub in zones 5-10 full to partial sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘Crown Princess Margareta’
‘AUSwinter’ Austin Rose, English Rose PP 13484 1999 climber/shrub in zones 5-10 full to partial sun blooms on new wood May-October bloom |
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Rosa ‘Darcey Bussel’
a.k.a. ‘AUSdecorum’ 'Monferrato' Austin Rose, English Rose PP 07214 1988 shrub in zones 6-10 full sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘Eglantyne’
a.k.a. ‘AUSmak’
Austin Rose, English Rose
PP 9526 1994
shrub in zones 5-10
full sun
blooms on new wood
July-November bloom
a.k.a. ‘AUSmak’
Austin Rose, English Rose
PP 9526 1994
shrub in zones 5-10
full sun
blooms on new wood
July-November bloom
Rosa ‘England’s Rose’
a.k.a. ‘AUSlounge’ Austin Rose, English Rose 2010 shrub in zones 5-9 full to partial sun May-October bloom |
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Rosa ‘English Garden’
a.k.a. ‘AUSbuff’ Austin Rose, English Rose PP 07214 1988 shrub in zones 5-10 full sun blooms on new wood May-September bloom |
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Rosa ‘Falstaff’
a.k.a. ‘AUSverse’ Austin Rose, English Rose PP 13315 1999 shrub in zones 5-10 full sun blooms on new wood June-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘Folksinger’
1985 shrub in zones 4-11 full sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom 'Folksinger' is much happier when it does not have hot afternoon sun. |
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Rosa ‘Gentle Hermione’
a.k.a. ‘AUSrumba’ Austin Rose, English Rose PP 17500 2005 shrub in zones 4-10 full sun blooms on new wood May-September bloom |
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Rosa ‘Gertrude Jekyll’
a.k.a. ‘AUSbord’
Austin Rose, English Rose
PP 7220 1986
shrub in zones 4-8
full to partial sun
blooms on new wood
May-September bloom
a.k.a. ‘AUSbord’
Austin Rose, English Rose
PP 7220 1986
shrub in zones 4-8
full to partial sun
blooms on new wood
May-September bloom
Rosa ‘Golden Celebration’
a.k.a. ‘AUSgold’ Austin Rose, English Rose PP 8688 1992 climber/shrub in zones 5-10 full sun blooms on new wood May-September bloom |
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Rosa ‘Heritage’
a.k.a. ‘AUSblush’, ‘Roberta’ Austin Rose, English Rose 1984 climber/shrub in zones 5-10 full sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘James Galway’
a.k.a. ‘AUScrystal’ Austin Rose, English Rose PP 13918 2000 climber in zones 4-9 full to partial sun blooms on new wood May-September bloom |
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Rosa ‘Jude The Obscure’
a.k.a. ‘AUSjo’ Austin Rose, English Rose PP 10757 1995 shrub in zones 5-10 full sun blooms on new wood May-September bloom |
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Rosa ‘Lady Of Shallot’
a.k.a. ‘AUSnyson' Austin Rose, English Rose PP 22171 2010 shrub in zones 5-10 full sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom |
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Rosa 'L.D. Braithwaite’
a.k.a. ‘AUScrim’
1988
shrub in zones 4-11
full sun
blooms on new wood
June-November bloom
New to our garden in 2020.
a.k.a. ‘AUScrim’
1988
shrub in zones 4-11
full sun
blooms on new wood
June-November bloom
New to our garden in 2020.
Rosa ‘Lichfield Angel’
a.k.a. ‘AUSrelate’ Austin Rose, English Rose PP 18702 2006 shrub in zones 6-10 full sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘Love’
a.k.a. ‘JACtwin’ PP 4437 1980 grandiflora in zones 5-10 full sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom Redder in cool weather. |
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Rosa ‘Malvern Hills’
a.k.a. ‘AUScanary’ Austin Rose, English Rose 2000 rambler in zones 6-10 full to partial sun prune early for easier identification of less healthy stems blooms through September |
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Rosa ‘Mary Rose’
a.k.a. ‘AUSmary’ Austin Rose, English Rose 1983 shrub in zones 5-9 full to partial sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘Matchless Mother’
shrub in zones 5-10 full to partial sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom In memory of my Mom. |
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Rosa ‘Molineux’
a.k.a. ‘AUSmol’ Austin Rose, English Rose PP 9524 1994 shrub in zones 5-10 full sun blooms on new wood June-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘Moon Dance’
a.k.a. ‘JACtanic’ PP 19126 2007 floribunda in zones 5-9 full sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘Munstead Wood’
a.k.a. ‘AUSbernard’ Austin Rose, English Rose PP 19876 2007 shrub in zones 5-10 full sun May-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘Nicole’
a.k.a. ‘KORicole’ 1985 floribunda in zones 5-9 full to partial sun blooms on new wood May-October bloom |
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Rosa ‘Othello’
a.k.a. ‘AUSlo’ Austin Rose, English Rose PP 07212 1986 climber/shrub in zones 5-10 full sun blooms on new wood May-September bloom |
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Rosa ‘Paradise’
a.k.a. ‘WEZeip’ 1978 hybrid tea in zones 6-10 full sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘Pat Austin’
a.k.a. ‘AUSmum’ Austin Rose, English Rose PP 9527 1997 climber/shrub in zones 5-10 full sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘Princess Alexandra Of Kent’
a.k.a. ‘AUSmerchant’ Austin Rose, English Rose PP 19828 2007 shrub in zones 5-10 full sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘Princess Anne’
a.k.a. AUSkitchen’
PP 23099 2010
shrub in zones 4-11
full to partial sun
June-October bloom
New to our garden in 2020.
a.k.a. AUSkitchen’
PP 23099 2010
shrub in zones 4-11
full to partial sun
June-October bloom
New to our garden in 2020.
Rosa ‘Queen Of Sweden’
a.k.a. ‘AUStiger’ Austin Rose, English Rose PP 17150 2004 shrub in zones 4-11 full sun May-September bloom |
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Rosa ‘Royal Jubilee’
a.k.a. ‘AUSpaddle’
2012
shrub in zones 5-11
full sun
July-November bloom
New to our garden in 2020.
a.k.a. ‘AUSpaddle’
2012
shrub in zones 5-11
full sun
July-November bloom
New to our garden in 2020.
Rosa ‘Sharifa Asma’
a.k.a. ‘AUSreef’ Austin Rose, English Rose PP 8143 1989 shrub in zones 5-10 full to partial sun (not too hot sun) blooms on new wood May-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘Sir Edward Elgar’
a.k.a. ‘AUSprima’ Austin Rose, English Rose 1992 shrub in zones 5-10 full sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘Southern Peach’
a.k.a. ‘JALGoldie’ miniflora in zones 5-10 full sun May-November bloom bloom |
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Rosa ‘St. Swithun’
a.k.a. ‘AUSwith’
Austin Rose, English Rose
PP 9010 1993
shrub in zones 4-11
full sun
blooms on new wood
June-September bloom
a.k.a. ‘AUSwith’
Austin Rose, English Rose
PP 9010 1993
shrub in zones 4-11
full sun
blooms on new wood
June-September bloom
Rosa ‘Strawberry Hill’
a.k.a. ‘AUSrimin’
Austin Rose, English Rose
PP 78716 2006
shrub in zones 5-10
full sun
blooms on new wood
May-November bloom
a.k.a. ‘AUSrimin’
Austin Rose, English Rose
PP 78716 2006
shrub in zones 5-10
full sun
blooms on new wood
May-November bloom
Rosa ‘Tamora’
a.k.a. ‘AUStamora’ Austin Rose, English Rose 1983 shrub in zones 5-10 full sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘Teasing Georgia’
a.k.a. ‘AUSbaker’
1998
climber in zones 5-11
full sun
blooms on new wood
June-September bloom
New to our garden in 2020.
a.k.a. ‘AUSbaker’
1998
climber in zones 5-11
full sun
blooms on new wood
June-September bloom
New to our garden in 2020.
Rosa ‘Tess Of The D’Urbervilles’
a.k.a. ‘AUSmove’ Austin Rose, English Rose 1998 climber/shrub in zones 5-10 full to partial sun blooms on new wood April-November bloom This is our first quality rose and it holds a special place in Jim and my hearts. I narrowed the list down to about four that met my criteria, and he made the final selection. By the end of the first season, it had mostly taken on its mature form and one flower could fill the kitchen with its fragrance, even over the scents of cooking. Absolutely intoxicating! |
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Rosa ‘The Alnwick Rose’
a.k.a. ‘AUSgrab’ ‘Alnwick Castle’
Austin Rose, English Rose
2001
shrub in zones 5-10
full sun
blooms on new wood
May-November bloom
a.k.a. ‘AUSgrab’ ‘Alnwick Castle’
Austin Rose, English Rose
2001
shrub in zones 5-10
full sun
blooms on new wood
May-November bloom
Rosa ‘The Generous Gardener’
a.k.a. ‘AUSdrawn’ Austin Rose, English Rose 2002 shrub in zones 5-10 full sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘The Impressionist’
a.k.a. ‘CLEpainter’ PPAF 2000 climber in zones 5-10 full sun blooms on new wood May-September bloom |
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Rosa ‘The Mayflower’
a.k.a. ‘AUStilly’ Austin Rose, English Rose 2001 shrub in zones 3-9 full to partial sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘The Pilgrim’
a.k.a. ‘AUSwalker’ ‘Gartenarchitekt Gunther Schulze’
Austin Rose, English Rose
PP 8678 pre1991
climber/shrub in zones 5-10
full sun
blooms on new wood
May-October bloom
New to our garden in 2016.
a.k.a. ‘AUSwalker’ ‘Gartenarchitekt Gunther Schulze’
Austin Rose, English Rose
PP 8678 pre1991
climber/shrub in zones 5-10
full sun
blooms on new wood
May-October bloom
New to our garden in 2016.
Rosa ‘The Poet’s Wife’
a.k.a. ‘AUSwhisper’ PP 273642014 shrub in zones 4-11 full sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom New to our garden in 2020. |
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Rosa ‘The Prince’
a.k.a. ‘AUSvelvet’ Austin Rose, English Rose PP 8813 1990 shrub in zones 5-10 full to partial sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘Tranquility’
a.k.a. ‘AUSnoble’ Austin Rose, English Rose PP 25063 2012 shrub in zones 5-9 full sun May-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘Velvet Fragrance’
a.k.a. ‘FRYperdee’ ‘Velours Parfume’ hybrid tea in zones 5-10 full sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘Wenlock’
a.k.a. ‘AUSwen’
Austin Rose, English Rose
1984
climber/shrub in zones 5-10
full sun
blooms on new wood
May-October bloom
a.k.a. ‘AUSwen’
Austin Rose, English Rose
1984
climber/shrub in zones 5-10
full sun
blooms on new wood
May-October bloom
Rosa ‘William Baffin’
Hybrid Kordesii Rose 1974 climber/shrub in zones 3-9 full sun May-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘Winchester Cathedral'
a.k.a. ‘AUScat’ Austin Rose, English Rose PP 8141 1984 shrub in zones 4-10 full sun blooms on new wood May-November bloom |
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Rosa ‘Windermere’
Austin Rose, English Rose PP18713 2007 shrub in zones 5-10 full sun blooms on new wood May-October bloom |
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Rosa ‘Wollerton Old Hall’
a.k.a. ‘AUSblanket’
Austin Rose, English Rose
PP 24566 2011
shrub in zones 5-11
blooms on new wood
full sun
June-November bloom
a.k.a. ‘AUSblanket’
Austin Rose, English Rose
PP 24566 2011
shrub in zones 5-11
blooms on new wood
full sun
June-November bloom
Rosa ‘Young Lycidas’
a.k.a. ‘AUSvibrant’
Austin Rose, English Rose
2008
shrub in zones 5-10
full to partial sun
blooms on new wood
June-November bloom
a.k.a. ‘AUSvibrant’
Austin Rose, English Rose
2008
shrub in zones 5-10
full to partial sun
blooms on new wood
June-November bloom
Updated March 4, 2022.