VINTAGE ENGLISH ROSES 60 years of endeavour to create the perfect rose has led us to developing and releasing over 200 new varieties, each beautiful and distinctive in their own right. Many have stood the test of time and although launched many years, sometimes decades ago, are still some of our best sellers and most well-loved varieties, by both ourselves and our customers.
1960s CONSTANCE SPRY
(Ausfirst)
BEST FOR FRAGRANCE
The first English Rose to debut in 1961 and aptly named after the groundbreaking British floral designer Constance Spry. Still our largest climber, reaching up to 20ft (6m), this pioneering climbing rose may only flower once in early summer but her iconic deeply cupped blooms are a luminous mid-pink and she has a wonderfully strong Myrrh fragrance.
SHROPSHIRE LASS Released in 1968, this once flowering climbing rose is unusual for its delicate yet large single blooms which fade gently from blush white to pure white, displaying a tempting boss of golden stamens. Produced in a big display in early summer, her blooms have a mediumstrong Myrrh fragrance and are followed with a festive crop of red hips come autumn.
1980s
GRAHAM THOMAS ® (Ausmas) Released in 1983, having been selected by Graham Thomas himself, this rich yellow, repeat flowering rose can be grown as a shrub or a climber and is notable for its role in helping to put David Austin on the map. Named after one of the most influential gardeners of the time, as well as a collector of Old Roses and a great supporter and friend of David Austin, this rose received a huge accolade after its debut at Chelsea Flower Show in 1983.
GERTRUDE JEKYLL ® (Ausbord) BEST FOR FLOWERING
BEST FOR FRAGRANCE
Transforming gardens since 1986 and still one of our most popular roses, Gertrude, as she is fondly known, has become a famous plant in her own right. Suitably named after the prolific and highly influential garden designer, Gertrude is a force to be reckoned with. She has come to be the quintessential English Rose, with her perfectly balanced Old Rose scent and spectacular, many-petalled, glowing pink rosette blooms. Grown as either a shrub or a climber, every garden needs at least one Gertrude Jekyll.
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