DAVID AUSTIN - ENGLISH SCENTED ROSES

English roses by David Austin – fragrant beauties for your garden

SFor decades, English roses from breeder David Austin have been among the most popular and magnificent garden plants worldwide. Their lush, double blooms, distinctive fragrance, and romantic charm make them a true highlight in the rose bed.

Whether bowl-shaped or rosette-shaped, English roses combine the charm of old roses with the blooming joy of modern varieties. They are not only extremely decorative, but also robust, rain-resistant, and surprisingly easy to care for. Despite their elegant appearance, they are ideal for home gardeners who want to bring a touch of cottage garden romance into their own garden.


✅ Tip: You don't have to be a rose specialist to successfully plant and care for an English rose!

EEnglish roses: Which variety suits my garden?

With the worldwide success of David Austin roses, the variety of varieties has also grown enormously – and with it, the choice is yours. Whether as a bed rose, a solitary plant, or in a container: there's a rose to suit every location and taste.


UOur recommendations for the Central European climate:

'Olivia Rose Austin' – One of the most beautiful and robust varieties with delicate pink, strongly scented flowers.
'Gertrude Jekyll' – A popular classic with intense pink, nostalgic flowers and a strong fragrance.
'Graham Thomas' – A bright yellow beauty with vigorous growth and high recognition value.


Whether you are looking for a fragrant rose for your front garden, an impressive display of flowers in your rose bed, or simply for inspiration for your garden, English roses enrich every garden with style, fragrance, and character.

The right location for English roses

The right location for English roses – How to thrive optimally

In order for a rose to develop its full beauty and resilience, it needs the right location – this also applies to the popular English roses from David Austin.

✅ Sun, air & moisture – the location requirements

English roses prefer a sunny, well-ventilated location where their leaves can dry quickly after rain. This effectively prevents fungal diseases such as powdery mildew or black spot. At the same time, the soil should not be too dry, as spider mites are more common during drought stress.


Even particularly robust varieties with the ADR seal (General German Rose Novelty Testing) require good site conditions – otherwise even these resistant rose varieties fall short of their potential.

Growth form and planting distance – space for rose joy

Depending on the variety, English roses can grow over a meter tall and wide. Therefore, it's important to give them enough space from the start. A planting distance of approximately 50 cm from other perennials has proven effective.

🌿 Tip for bed design:

Choose companion plants that have similar sun, soil, and care requirements. Sage is an ideal companion for roses – it loves sunny spots, promotes rose health with essential oils, and adds color and texture to the flowerbed.


Vigorous varieties also suitable as climbing roses

Some English rose varieties, such as 'The Lark Ascending', are characterized by particularly vigorous growth and, with a little support, can even be cultivated as climbing roses on trellises or trellises.

Care tips


Cutting English roses

Cutting roses correctly – How to make them bloom more beautifully and stay healthy

A targeted rose pruning is crucial for healthy growth, abundant bloom and a long service life Your roses. Whether in spring, summer, or with older shrubs – with the right pruning, you promote vitality, blooms, and a harmonious growth habit.


Spring pruning – the most important pruning in the rose year

The Spring pruning occurs as soon as the Forsythias bloom – this is the most reliable sign that no more severe frosts are to be expected. Now:

  • Floribunda roses cut back to 3–5 strong shoots and 3–5 buds per shoot
  • shrub roses slightly thinned and shortened to about 40–60 cm
  • Climbing roses only slightly shortened; old, rotten wood can be removed
  • English roses lightly to moderately cut, depending on variety and location

    • Important: Always diagonally above an outward-facing eye cut – this way the rose grows nicely and airily outwards.


    Summer pruning – for a second bloom

    At the Summer cut are regularly Remove faded and weak shootsThis saves energy and encourages many varieties to second flowering in late summer Also Wild instincts from the rootstock should be removed immediately – they rob the noble variety of nutrients and space.


    Rejuvenation pruning – bringing older roses back into shape

    Old, aged rose bushes benefit from a stronger Rejuvenation pruning in late winter or early spring. This includes:

    • very old, dead or too densely spaced shoots removed close to the ground
    • leave younger, vital shoots as the new basic structure
    • For heavily woody shrubs, cut back max. ⅓ of the plant

      • The result: new shoots, better ventilation and more flowering power.


      Cutting roses – the most important tips at a glance:

      • Use sharp, clean rose scissorsto produce smooth cutting surfaces
      • Cut always over one eye facing outwards
      • Remove diseased or dead wood completely
      • Choose the right time: Spring for structure, summer for flowering, late winter for rejuvenation
      • Don’t be afraid of the cut – Roses tolerate cutting and regenerate well

      

      Conclusion:

      Regular, well-executed rose pruning strengthens your roses, promotes healthy new growth and ensures a lush, long-lasting bloom – Year after year.

Rose care – The best tips for healthy, flowering roses

If you want to enjoy strong, flowering and healthy roses in the long term, you should also take some other steps in addition to pruning roses. Care tips for roses Because with the right care, roses become true jewels in the garden – from the first bud until late autumn.


1. Water roses properly

Roses need sufficient water, especially during hot and dry summer periods. Keep the following in mind:

  • Water deeply and thoroughly, rather than just superficial
  • Best in the morning or evening, Do not water over the leaves – this prevents fungal diseases
  • Particularly Water new or freshly planted roses regularly


2. Mulching – protection for soil and plants

Mulching the rose bed protects the soil from drying out, retains moisture, and suppresses weeds. Recommended methods include:

  • Bark humus, composted horse manure or Rose soil with straw
  • In spring approx. 3–5 cm mulch layer Apply around the plant – but not directly to the trunk

3. Fertilize roses – for strong blooms and healthy growth

Roses are among the Heavy feeders and require regular nutrients:

  • First fertilization in spring (March/April), as soon as the shoots grow
  • Second fertilization after the first flowering (June/July) – e.g. with organic rose fertilizer
  • Do not fertilize after this time to Ripening before winter to support

    • 4. Identify and prevent diseases and pests on roses

    A healthy location is the best protection, but still pay attention regularly to:

    • mildew, Black spot or Rose rust – remove infected leaves early
    • Aphids Treat with nettle decoction or biological sprays
    • Choose resistant varieties (e.g. ADR roses) and ensure good air circulation


      • 5. Remove dead flowers regularly

      Through the Cleaning out wilted flower heads The rose does not invest energy in seed production, but forms new buds. This way you promote the Second or continuous flowering many varieties.


      6. Winter protection for roses

      Especially in the first year or with sensitive varieties:

      • Lightly mound roses in the bed (approx. 10 cm with soil or compost)
      • For standard roses: Protect the crown with jute or fleece
      • Lightly wrap or cover climbing roses on walls


        • Conclusion:

        With these simple but effective tips for Rose care Your roses will remain healthy, flowering and resilient – and will reward you with lush blooms from spring to autumn.