English Rose
Rosa 'English Rose'
Family: Rosaceae · Also called David Austin Rose, Austin Rose, Shrub Rose
Floral · Summer–Autumn bloomer
English Roses are the pinnacle of modern rose breeding, deeply cupped, rosette, or peony-form blooms packed with 80-100 petals in the soft colors of old roses: blush, apricot, pale gold, and deep crimson. They combine the romanticism and fragrance of heritage varieties with modern reliability, blooming repeatedly from May through November.
romance, perfection, English garden tradition
In the Victorian language of flowers, english rose means “Perfect romantic love”. David Austin spent 50 years breeding roses that combined the cupped, many-petaled form and fragrance of old garden roses with the repeat-flowering and color range of modern hybrids. Starting in 1961, he created over 200 varieties that revived worldwide interest in fragrant roses and transformed garden design. His nursery in Shropshire draws 200,000 visitors annually.
Did You Know?
David Austin's first English Rose, 'Constance Spry' (1961), was a one-time bloomer, it took another 20 years to achieve repeat flowering. His most famous rose, 'Graham Thomas' (deep yellow, strong tea scent), was voted the world's favorite rose. Austin roses are now the world's most commercially successful rose brand, with nurseries on four continents.
Cultivated gardens; bred by David Austin from 1961 onward in Shropshire, England
English Rose is native to England (bred hybrid). It naturally grows in cultivated gardens; bred by david austin from 1961 onward in shropshire, england.
Scent Profile
“The richest, most complex rose fragrance achievable, David Austin English Roses combine old rose, myrrh, fruit, and tea notes in layered combinations that change as the bloom opens and ages.”
Quick Reference
- Scientific NameRosa 'English Rose'
- FamilyRosaceae
- Native ToEngland (bred hybrid)
- Bloom SeasonSummer–Autumn
- LifespanPerennial
Cultural Significance
David Austin spent 50 years breeding roses that combined the cupped, many-petaled form and fragrance of old garden roses with the repeat-flowering and color range of modern hybrids. Starting in 1961, he created over 200 varieties that revived worldwide interest in fragrant roses and transformed garden design. His nursery in Shropshire draws 200,000 visitors annually.