David Austin’s New Fragrant English Shrub Roses

Ellen C. Wells

Two new David Austin English roses are available by mail order from www.davidaustinroses.com. The two varieties are Princess Anne, a cerise pink fully double rose from a new line of David Austin breeding, and Skylark, a lilac-pink semi-double rose. David Austin’s English roses are known for combining the romantic flower forms and perfume of old roses with the broad color range and repeat flowering of modern roses. English roses are suited to growing in full sun or partial shade, provided the site is not overhung by tree canopies.

left: Princess Anne  right: Skylark

Rosa Princess Anne is first of a significant new line of breeding from Mr. Austin that is producing roses with particularly pretty flower form and strong garden vigor and health. It flowers over a long period and in large clusters, the individual blooms opening to an unusual bold cerise pink color in succession. There is a medium-strong tea rose fragrance. The rose forms a compact, bushy and upright shrub with highly polished, remarkably disease-resistant foliage. Its mature size is approximately 3 ft. tall by 2 ft. wide. Princess Anne is hardy in Zones 6-9.

Rosa Skylark has semi-double flowers with open cups and prominent stamens. The color is deep pink at first, later paling slightly to lilac-pink with a small white center. The growth is light and airy, building up into a natural, well-rounded shrub. It is free flowering and healthy and its more informal habit makes it an ideal choice for planting amongst other shrubs or perennials towards the front of a mixed border. It grows to about 3 ft. tall by 2 ft. wide.  Skylark is hardy in Zones 5-9. GP