Learn How to Grow English Roses—Some of the Fragrant Blooms for Your Garden
English roses (David Austin roses) have full double blooms that combine the old‑world beauty of old roses with the color and constant bloom of the modern rose. Zone hardy 5–9, they outclass many of the traditional roses and are garden showstoppers. They open in a range of pale pinks and whites right through to bright corals, oranges, and yellows, with some having some of the highest petal counts available. Most rebloom throughout the season too.
Why An English Cottage Garden Increases Curb Appeal
Where to Plant English Roses
Place them along walkways, around seating areas—wherever their fragrance can be enjoyed. Provide a sufficient gap to prevent thorn contact: plant three in groups in a triangle 1 ft apart to create a single large shrub, or plant separate specimens at least 3 ft apart. They require full sun—don’t plant too near trees or buildings.
When to Plant English Roses
How and When to Plant English Roses
Potted roses: Spring after last frost or six weeks before first fall frost. Hole twice as large as pot and slightly deeper. Soil and compost to fill and place bud union on ground level in regions with mild winter or 2–3 inches below in cold regions.
Bare-root roses: Plant in early spring or as soon as January in your zone—or mid- to late winter in Zones 8+. Soak roots two hours, dig a 12–18 in deep by 2 ft wide hole, lay out the roots, and set the graft union a little above soil in warm zones or a little below in cooler zones. Water thoroughly and mulch.
English Rose Care Tips
English roses are prolific but relatively low-maintenance:
Light: More and healthiest flowers are developed from full sun, but part sun will be fine in hot areas, with more fragrance.
Soil & Water: Plant in a spot with good drainage—break up heavy clay soil 1 foot deep around planting area. Water deeply 1–2 times a week (1–2 inches), slowly and on the ground to avoid wetting leaves, which promote disease. Recently planted shrubs, climbers, or sandy soil plants may require additional water.
Temperature & Humidity: Humid climates require less water; add only when the plants are wilted. Pests breed in summer—check for aphids, mites, scale, and slugs. For cold climates, heap soil, compost, and leaves on top of the base during winter to keep roots warm, cut back to half size in January–February, and remove mulch once new growth begins.
Fertilizer: Plant feeding may not be needed in rich soil. However, once in spring and again after first flowering, granular fertilizer encourages flowering—especially in reblooming varieties. All-purpose feed may be used in pots but use sparingly.
Pruning: Prune as usual in late winter before new buds swell. Reduce by about one-third to maintain shape and size. A light prune after the first flowering flush encourages a second flush.
Pests & Diseases: Even resistant types can suffer from black spot or mildew during rainy weather. Encourage air circulation by avoiding overhead watering and pruning dead wood. Guard against pests like aphids, Japanese beetles, thrips, scale, leafhoppers, and deer browse.
How to Propagate English Roses
Cuttings are rooted in a common but uncontrolled fashion—especially since grafted roses are marketed most frequently. In late spring or summer, cut below leaf node on non-woody stem. Trim buds and dip in root hormone, pot in good garden soil, and cover with plastic in indirect light for 3–4 weeks. If root growth occurs, plant in the ground in late fall. Remember that some David Austin varieties are plant patented—check labels or catalogs.
Popular English Rose Types
‘Gertrude Jekyll’: Antique-scented magenta flowers; 5–6 ft tall (or 10 ft as a climber). Zones 5–9.
‘Graham Thomas’: Antique rose and violets scented peach-yellow; 5 ft shrub, 12 ft climber. Zones 4–9.
‘Heritage’: Fruit-honey-carnation scented pale pink repeat bloomer flowers; 5 ft shrub, 7 ft climber. Zones 5–9.
‘Mary Rose’: Ruffled honey-almond scented pink double flowers; dense 4‑ft shrub. Zones 4–9.
‘Mary Magdalene’: Apricot-pink rosettes with tea scent; compact at 3 ft. Zones 5–9.
‘Jean Giono’: Spice-scented yellow-gold flowers; 4–5 ft tall. Zones 5–9.
‘The Dark Lady’: Red-violet crinkled flowers; hardy, thorny shrub to 4 ft. Zones 5–9.
‘St. Swithun’: Pink, frilled blooms smelling of myrrh; 5 ft shrub, climbing to 8 ft. Zones 5–9.
‘Othello’: Deep crimson antique-scented double flowers; hardy 5‑ft shrub. Zones 5–9.
‘The Prince’: Cupped deep crimson changing to dusky purple; compact 2½ ft shrub with antique scent. Zones 5–9.
English Rose Garden Design: Shade Garden Featuring Summer-Blooming English Roses
Select a site that gets at least several hours of sun a day—partially shaded gardens welcome it too. Replace shrubs with English roses, combine them with shade perennials for a low-care, flowering landscape.
