David Austin Roses' Literary Collection of English Roses
Our English rose varieties inspired by literary classics
Featured rose Lady of Shalott
Creating a rose is not dissimilar to writing a literary classic; both take patience, dedication and an innate understanding of the subject. A keen writer and poet, David Austin Snr. was a lover of literature spending many an hour among his beautiful roses with a good book. It is therefore not surprising that many of those beloved characters, tales and poems feature in our rose collection.
Introduced in 2009 to mark Alfred Lord Tennyson's 200th birthday, Lady of Shalott beautifully embodies the enchanting essence of Tennyson's famous poem. This vigorous and versatile shrub produces rich orange-red buds that unfurl into a beautiful blend of salmon-pink and golden-yellow petals, reminiscent of the fiery auburn hair depicted in John William Waterhouse's iconic painting.
The rose's medium Tea fragrance, with hints of spiced apples and cloves, adds an aromatic layer to its charm. Known for its exceptional health and disease resistance, The Lady of Shalott blooms repeatedly throughout the season, creating a captivating display of colour and scent from early summer to the first frosts.
Featured rose Lady of Shalott
The Emily Brontë Rose, introduced in 2018 to honour Emily Brontë's 200th birthday, is a tribute to the themes of enduring love and passion that define her work. This exquisite rose features soft pink, flat blooms that gradually fade to cream with touches of apricot, capturing the delicate yet enduring nature of romantic love. The deep-set golden stamens add a timeless elegance to the blooms.
Its strong Tea fragrance evolves into an Old Rose scent, with notes of lemon and grapefruit, mirroring the depth and complexity of Brontë's characters. Forming a bushy and resilient shrub, the Emily Brontë Rose is perfect for mixed borders, pots, and hedges.
"Gabriel was almost blinded, and he could feel Bathsheba's warm arm tremble in his hand - a sensation new and thrilling."
Thomas Hardy
Far From the Madding Crowd
Bathsheba® (Auschimbley)Bathsheba® is a vigorous climbing rose with apricot-yellow blooms that open to shallowly cupped, many-petalled rosettes. Its medium-strong fragrance combines floral myrrh, honey, and tea hints. This rose is ideal for creating a stunning display on 6ft walls, doorways, obelisks, or standard arches. It thrives in full sunlight and is suitable for all soil types. Bathsheba® was named after Bathsheba Everdene, the heroine of Thomas Hardy's novel Far from the Madding Crowd. Bathsheba is a complex character known for her beauty, independence, and challenges in love and life. The rose's warm apricot tones and vigorous nature reflect her vibrant personality and resilience, making it a fitting tribute to one of Hardy's most memorable characters.DISCOVER
Gabriel Oak (Auscrowd)We couldn't mention Bathsheba without Gabriel Oak. Gabriel Oak®was introduced in 2019 and is named after the steadfast and honourable shepherd from Thomas Hardy's Far from the Madding Crowd. This rose mirrors Gabriel Oak's qualities with its large, deep pink blooms that are both robust and striking. The flowers are packed with petals and release a wonderfully strong, fruity fragrance that fills the air, embodying its namesake's resilience and quiet strength. Gabriel Oak, with its lush, bushy growth and beautiful blooms is ideal for cutting to bring a stem or two inside, borders, and containers and when planted with Bathsheba, this rose creates a lively yet complementary pairing.DISCOVER
Why not create a border next to a bench or seating area planted with roses named after your favourite characters and pieces of literature.
Here we have Roald Dahl (Ausowlish) which was named to mark the centenary of Roald Dahl's birth. The colour of this stunning rose is reminiscent of the eponymous peach in James and the Giant Peach.
Featured rose Roald Dahl
An exceedingly pretty rose of soft, glowing apricot-pink, each bloom is packed with numerous delicately ruffled petals.
This rose is named after the flawed heroine of Thomas Hardy’s, The Return of the Native.
Creating a rose is not dissimilar to writing a literary classic; both take patience, dedication and an innate understanding of the subject. A keen writer and poet, David Austin Snr. was a lover of literature spending many an hour among his beautiful roses with a good book. It is therefore not surprising that many of those beloved characters, tales and poems feature in our rose collection.
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Gentle Hermione (Ausrumba)Hermione is the faithful wife in Leontes, the King of Sicily in The Winter's Tale.DISCOVER
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Creating a rustic Thanksgiving table with rosehips and seasonal foliageThanksgiving is a wonderful opportunity to gather with friends and family, celebrating everything we are grateful for. To bring rustic charm to your Thanksgiving table, consider using rose hips in your décor. These vibrant, berry-like fruits add a seasonal touch and symbolise abundance and gratitude, making them perfect for this special holiday. If you’re lucky enough to still have roses in bloom, you can add a few of these flowers alongside the rose hips for a fragrant finishing touch to your arrangements.Read more6 days ago -
Eustacia Vye (Ausegdon), a rose inspired by Hardy’s heroineThe Eustacia Vye (Ausegdon) rose, introduced in 2019, is a truly beautiful and unique addition to any garden. With soft, glowing apricot-pink blooms, each flower is full of ruffled petals that gradually open into full rosettes. As the blooms mature, its colour fades from rich apricot to paler tones, adding a sense of delicate beauty. Held on striking, red-tinged stems, this rose has a strong, fruity fragrance that fills the air.Read more8 days ago -
Winter care guide for English rosesWinter brings a time of rest and quiet beauty in the garden, and David Austin English Roses are no exception. While these exquisite plants are hardy and resilient, they thrive with thoughtful care during the colder months. Whether your garden faces harsh frosts or milder seasonal changes, this guide will ensure your English Roses are well-prepared to burst into leaf come spring.Read more9 days ago -
The perfect gifts for gardeners this ChristmasWith Christmas around the corner, many of us are looking to find that special gift that will bring warmth and joy to those we love. If you have a gardening enthusiast in your life, why not give them something that truly resonates with their passion for nature?Read more16 days ago -
Garden Trends for Autumns autumn settles in and leaves drift to the ground, your garden embraces the season’s quiet beauty. While many plants wind down, roses continue to add their charm, through the vibrant colours of their rose hips. These small, jewel-like fruits bring lively splashes of red, orange, and even purple, creating a striking contrast against bare stems and adding rich colour to your autumn landscape.Read more19 days ago -
Flowers Fit for a King: Celebrating King Charles III Birthday with Royal-Inspired RosesA fitting spotlight on some royal-inspired David Austin® roses in celebration of His Royal Highness King Charles III birthday. Each distinguished English rose with royal connections has been bred and grown with pride in the heart of Shropshire, each embodying the heritage of the British monarchy whilst adding quintessential charm to any garden.Read more20 days ago
