- English Roses: Origin & Characteristics
- The most beautiful varieties of English roses
- Buying English roses: Recommended sources of supply
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English roses provide a nostalgic charm in the garden. Introducing 15 of the most beautiful classic varieties of English roses.
The English roses with their unusual names belong to the premier class of roses (Rosa). In 1961, the English rose breeder David Austin succeeded in breeding the first English rose, which combined the characteristics of old roses and modern rose varieties. Since then, new beautiful varieties from Austin have been presented every year. Studying these old varieties of roses can quickly become a hobby if you can trace the pedigree of each variety back to its beginnings. Therefore, we have summarized the most important information about David Austin's roses for you in this article.
In the following we will explain how English roses differ from other classes of roses. We also introduce you to the most beautiful varieties of English roses and tell you where you can buy the most beautiful specimens.
English Roses: Origin & Characteristics
English roses are cross-breeds of various old roses, modern hybrid teas and floribunda roses. The Brit David C. H. Austin, who died in 2022, bred the famous English roses from the 1960s. He wanted to combine the characteristics of beautiful, fragrant Old Roses with those of modern hybrid teas and floribunda roses, which are known for their ability to rebloom (second flowering in late summer) and their wide range of colors. He was inspired by a book by the British gardener George Bunyard on old roses and by the rose breeder James Baker, who was a friend of his father. The first major breeding success was with the 'Constance Spry' variety in 1961. Unfortunately, the ability to remount was not passed on and so it only flowered once. Austin only gained worldwide fame 20 years later with the varieties 'Graham Thomas' and 'Mary Rose'.
The cupped or rosette-shaped flowers of English Roses are very similar to Old Roses. They are composed of numerous small petals andexude a delicate scent. English roses are also characterized by a natural shrubby habit with beautiful, bushy foliage. Low varieties are wonderfully suited as bed roses, but climbing roses can also reach heights of up to 450 centimeters. Incidentally, because of its characteristics, Austin also counted the 'Grusss an Aachen' variety from the German breeder Philipp Patentig as an English rose.
The most beautiful varieties of English roses
There are over 30,000 different types of roses worldwide. Sometimes it's not so easy to keep track of things. As inspiration, we would like to present a small selection of the most beautiful varieties of English roses below.
- 'Abraham Darby'
Double, cupped flowers in apricot to yellow-orange; blooming often; fruity fragrance with a tart base note; shrubby growth with overhanging shoots; reaches heights of growth of up to 200 cm; medium leaf he alth; easy to care for and hardy - 'A Shropshire Lad'
Double, cupped, peach-pink flowers; blooming often; aromatic-fruity scent of tea roses; upright, bushy, climbing growth; very vigorous; grows up to 250 cm high; almost thornless; good leaf he alth; hardy; suitable for rose arches and pergolas - ‘Benjamin Britten’
Named after the English composer; double flowers in salmon pink to red; blooming often; strong, fruity fragrance; dense, strong, bushy growth; grows about 120 to 150 cm high; good leaf he alth; rainproof and heat tolerant; Hardly any maintenance required
- 'Charles Rennie Mackintosh'
Double lilac-pink flowers that later turn lilac; blooming often; pleasant smell; bushy growth; grows about 100 to 150 cm high; good leaf he alth; suitable for partial shade; hardy; also ideal for container planting - 'Constance Spry'
Double, cup-shaped flowers of pink with a light edge; once blooming; strong scent of myrrh; strong, upright, bushy growth (up to 280 cm high); poor leaf he alth; hardy; suitable as a hedge plant - 'Emanuel'
Also known as 'Crocus Rose'; rosette-shaped, apricot-colored flowers with a creamy-white margin; blooming often; light scent of tea roses; bushy, compact growth; reachedgrowth height of up to 140 cm; excellent leaf he alth
- 'Grace'
Medium-sized, double flowers of apricot; blooming often; intense fragrance; upright, bushy growth; grows to about 80 to 100 cm high; high leaf he alth; rainproof flowers; easy-care; Winter protection recommended - 'Graham Thomas'
Double, cupped flowers of rich yellow; blooming often; intense scent of tea roses; strong, upright, bushy growth; reaches heights of up to 200 cm; medium leaf he alth; heat tolerant and hardy - 'Heritage'
Double, light pink flowers; blooming often; intense fragrance with nuances of lemon and honey; well-branched, upright, bushy growth; reaches heights of growth of up to 150 cm; medium leaf he alth; easy-care; rainproof flowers; hardy
- 'Jubilee Celebration'
Shrub rose with double, salmon pink flowers; blooming often; fruity fragrance with a delicate undertone of raspberry and lemon; well-branched, upright growth; reaches heights of growth of up to 150 cm; good leaf he alth; Winter protection advisable - 'Mary Rose'
Double, medium-sized pink flowers from May to September; scent of old roses, almonds and honey; bushy growth; reaches heights of up to 150 cm; heat and rain resistant; easy-care variety - 'Molineux'
Medium-sized, densely double flowers of rich yellow; blooming often; intense fragrance; upright, bushy, regular growth; grows about 60 to 80 cm high; robust variety with good he alth; suitable for single and group position
- 'Sharifa Asma'
English rose with oriental flair; double, soft pink flowers with a light, whitish edge; blooming often; fruity scent of grapes and mulberries; low, upright growth; grows about 80 to 100 cm high; good leaf he alth; easy to care for and hardy - 'Teasing Georgia'
Named after the wife of German presenter Ulrich Meyer; double, dark yellow flowers with a light edge; blooming often; pleasant tea rose scent; strong, broad bushy growth; grows 100 to 150 cm high; easy-care and robust - 'The Pilgrim'
Densely double flowers, yellow in the centre, outwardsdown white; blooming often; light fragrance with hints of myrrh; compact, bushy growth; can reach a height of up to 350 cm with trellis; medium leaf he alth; hardy; also suitable for tubs
Buying English roses: Recommended sources of supply
In the garden center or hardware store, only the best-known varieties of English roses are usually offered. However, if you are looking for rarer specimens, it is definitely worth visiting a tree or rose nursery when the roses are in bloom. There you can not only be enchanted by the sight of many different varieties, but also benefit from professional advice - for example on the requirements for the location and the care of the respective varieties. Below we would like to introduce you to some recommended sources of supply.
David Austin Roses: David C. H. Austin founded the Austin Rose Nursery in 1969, which is considered the starting point for breeding English roses. Since then, a catalog has been published every year with the new English roses and old roses from Austin. Rose lovers can also visit the world famous garden center and rose gardens in Britain in person. However, if a trip is too complicated for you, here is the address of the online shop with what is probably the largest range of English roses: https://eu.davidaustinroses.com
Rosenpark Dräger: A trip to the rose village of Steinfurth is definitely worthwhile. Manuela Dräger and her husband took over this traditional company from the Gönewein family in 2003. At the new location in Bad Nauheim, Hesse, there has been a sales point and a beautiful show garden since 2015. You will also find a selection of 88 different roses by David Austin in the online shop: https://www.rosenpark-draeger.de/
Vielhaber Nursery: In addition to a wide range of fruit trees and berry bushes, the Vielhaber Nursery from the Austrian Salzkammergut also offers a small but fine selection of roses by David Austin. The plants offered can also be shipped throughout Europe. Here is the link to the website: https://www.baumschule-vielhaber.at/
If you have now acquired a taste and would like to plant more roses in your garden, you will find an overview article with the most beautiful types of bed roses, climbing roses & Co.
Tip: Roses need enough nutrients to flower beautifully. That's why we developed our Plantura organic rose fertilizer with a three-month long-term effect, which contains all the nutrients roses need.