Erich Ritter
English roses are perhaps the perfect compliment to any garden, but to a garden with cottage style most of all. By many gardeners’ accounts the “perfect” rose, these roses were bred by Englishman David Austin (they are also called David Austin Roses) to combine the positive re-blooming attribute of the modern tea rose with the vigor, form and intense fragrance of the old world roses. And did he ever succeed! Romantic and soft, cupped blooms with many petals and arguably the most intoxicating fragrance anywhere in a garden, these plants are easier to grow than traditional tea roses, and are more of a landscape shrub rather than a fussy and finicky rose. There are varieties that can be grown as climbers and as container plants for small gardens, and the shrub varieties combine well with other plants and flowers in a mixed border. There are pinks, whites, yellows and reds available with many subtle nuances in between. So be prepared for a new gardening obsession as we teach you how to grow English roses, the best varieties we love, (and where to get them!) and tips for having the greatest success in all areas of the country. Photos by ‘David Austin‘.
How to Plant
Most English roses grow well in zones 5-9, but a few can be grown down to zone 4. Plant them in the fall or early spring for bare root, or anytime but the hottest months of the year for potted roses. Add compost to your planting hole, and plant with the graft union (the big bump at the base of the plant) 2-3 inches under the ground level in cold weather areas. This will help protect the root system in the winter. If you live in an area with poor drainage, add as much organic matter as possible and plant with the graft union at ground level. Water well, and mulch with a 2 inch thick layer of bark or other organic mulch. Photo below is “Harlow Carr“.
Water
Newly planted roses will need to stay moist the first season, so they may need water every other day. Once established, a regular moderate watering schedule for your climate will work well.
Fertilizer
Fertilize with any rose fertilizer once in the beginning of the season, and then once after the first bloom flush to stimulate repeat flowering all summer.
Pruning
Here is the area where English roses got it going on over tea roses… The secret to pruning David Austin roses is, there is no secret! Simply prune them to shape in early spring. If you want a smaller plant and larger (but fewer) flowers, prune it back farther. If you want a larger plant for landscaping with smaller (but lots more!) flowers, then just prune off damaged tips or to shape. Always prune off dead blooms at the end of the fall season. That’s it!
Cutting Flowers
While I could never be convinced that there is a finer flower I would want in a vase, English roses can be problematic when it comes to cutting. They appear more like Peonies in some ways, being more cupped, many petaled and arching in vase. Some varieties have pretty short stems which make them different from tea roses in the sense that arrangements will usually be more casual. (Love!) Also, some English roses have very delicate petals that fall off when touched as they age. ‘Heritage’ is one example that is known for it. (Cut them in bud!) That having been said, nothing looks more English romantic than a few lost petals under an English rose arrangement. Besides, they have so many petals, it can be quite some time before the bloom looks worse for wear from losing a few! Some varieties hold up better in the vase, such as ‘Evelyn’, ‘Teasing Georgia’, ‘Abraham Darby’ and ‘Princess Alexandra of Kent’. All varieties can be cut though, and they are worth the trouble even if they last just a few days. Be sure to cut flowers in the late bud stage with as long a stem as possible for the best life.
Pests and Disease
David Austin roses are very healthy and resistant to disease compared to tea roses, but no plant is disease proof. Watch for black spot and powdery mildew, which can be sprayed for with an organic or traditional fungicide. Pests include aphids and thrips, both can be treated with insecticidal soap. Many English roses (depending on where you live) have never been sprayed, and a few preventative tactics keeps them healthy. Water early in the day so the leaves are not wet as the sun goes down to prevent fungus from multiplying. Also, every couple of days, especially in bud stage, give the plants a direct hit of water from the hose to knock off any little pests trying to get established. These two habits can go a long way toward keeping your roses healthy! David Austin roses are also much more likely to stage an easy comeback than tea roses. Many times you can just remove diseased leaves and the plant will bounce right back on it’s own. (Be sure to destroy them, don’t throw them in your compost pile!)
How to Plant
Most English roses grow well in zones 5-9, but a few can be grown down to zone 4. Plant them in the fall or early spring for bare root, or anytime but the hottest months of the year for potted roses. Add compost to your planting hole, and plant with the graft union (the big bump at the base of the plant) 2-3 inches under the ground level in cold weather areas. This will help protect the root system in the winter. If you live in an area with poor drainage, add as much organic matter as possible and plant with the graft union at ground level. Water well, and mulch with a 2 inch thick layer of bark or other organic mulch. Photo below is “Harlow Carr“.
Water
Newly planted roses will need to stay moist the first season, so they may need water every other day. Once established, a regular moderate watering schedule for your climate will work well.
Fertilizer
Fertilize with any rose fertilizer once in the beginning of the season, and then once after the first bloom flush to stimulate repeat flowering all summer.
Pruning
Here is the area where English roses got it going on over tea roses… The secret to pruning David Austin roses is, there is no secret! Simply prune them to shape in early spring. If you want a smaller plant and larger (but fewer) flowers, prune it back farther. If you want a larger plant for landscaping with smaller (but lots more!) flowers, then just prune off damaged tips or to shape. Always prune off dead blooms at the end of the fall season. That’s it!
Cutting Flowers
While I could never be convinced that there is a finer flower I would want in a vase, English roses can be problematic when it comes to cutting. They appear more like Peonies in some ways, being more cupped, many petaled and arching in vase. Some varieties have pretty short stems which make them different from tea roses in the sense that arrangements will usually be more casual. (Love!) Also, some English roses have very delicate petals that fall off when touched as they age. ‘Heritage’ is one example that is known for it. (Cut them in bud!) That having been said, nothing looks more English romantic than a few lost petals under an English rose arrangement. Besides, they have so many petals, it can be quite some time before the bloom looks worse for wear from losing a few! Some varieties hold up better in the vase, such as ‘Evelyn’, ‘Teasing Georgia’, ‘Abraham Darby’ and ‘Princess Alexandra of Kent’. All varieties can be cut though, and they are worth the trouble even if they last just a few days. Be sure to cut flowers in the late bud stage with as long a stem as possible for the best life.
Pests and Disease
David Austin roses are very healthy and resistant to disease compared to tea roses, but no plant is disease proof. Watch for black spot and powdery mildew, which can be sprayed for with an organic or traditional fungicide. Pests include aphids and thrips, both can be treated with insecticidal soap. Many English roses (depending on where you live) have never been sprayed, and a few preventative tactics keeps them healthy. Water early in the day so the leaves are not wet as the sun goes down to prevent fungus from multiplying. Also, every couple of days, especially in bud stage, give the plants a direct hit of water from the hose to knock off any little pests trying to get established. These two habits can go a long way toward keeping your roses healthy! David Austin roses are also much more likely to stage an easy comeback than tea roses. Many times you can just remove diseased leaves and the plant will bounce right back on it’s own. (Be sure to destroy them, don’t throw them in your compost pile!)
