The Fragrance Of Austin's 'Lady Shallot' Rose

The Lady of Shalott rose, also known as Rosa 'Ausnyson', is an English shrub rose bred by David Austin and introduced in 2007. It is named after Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem The Lady of Shalott, inspired by Arthurian legend. This rose stands out for its vibrant colour palette and delightful fragrance. But does it have any fragrance?

The Lady of Shalott rose's fragrance

The Lady of Shalott rose is a rich, warm fragrance with hints of spiced apple and cloves, and a light tea scent. The rose was introduced in 2007, and is named after Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem, 'The Lady of Shalott', to commemorate the 200th anniversary of his birth. The scent is described as "delightfully scented" and "delicious". The Lady of Shalott rose is also known for its remarkable blooming performance and disease resistance.

The Lady of Shalott rose is an English Shrub Rose, bred by David Austin, and is available as a bare root rose or potted rose. It is a repeat-flowering rose, blooming from late spring until early winter, or until frost. It is best to plant these roses between November and April, avoiding extreme weather conditions. The Lady of Shalott is an excellent choice for beds and borders and is spectacular when combined with cool blue flowers.

The buds of the Lady of Shalott rose are a vibrant orange-red, which open to form chalice-shaped blooms. These blooms are filled with loosely arranged, orange petals, surrounded by salmon-pink outer petals, which have golden-yellow undersides. The shrub grows to be large and bushy, with arching stems and mid-green leaves, which have a slight bronze tone when young.

The Royal Horticultural Society awarded the Lady of Shalott rose with the Award of Garden Merit in 2012, and it also received the American Garden Rose Selections award in 2017.

How to care for the Lady of Shalott rose

The Lady of Shalott rose is prized by rose lovers and is considered one of the best David Austin roses. It is known for its remarkable flower performance, disease resistance, and fragrant blooms. Here are some detailed instructions on how to care for the Lady of Shalott rose:

Planting

The best time to plant bare root roses is between November and April. Potted roses can be planted at any time of the year, except during extreme weather conditions such as frozen ground, waterlogged soil, or drought. The Lady of Shalott rose thrives in zones 4-11 and grows best in full sun or partial shade. It prefers rich, fertile, and well-drained soils with adequate moisture.

Care and Maintenance

To promote healthy growth and abundant blooms, regular care and maintenance are necessary. Here are some specific care tips for the Lady of Shalott rose:

• Watering: Ensure that your rose receives adequate moisture, especially during dry periods. Water the rose at its base, avoiding wetting the leaves, to prevent fungal diseases.
• Fertilizing: Feed your rose with a balanced fertilizer in early spring and repeat every four to six weeks during the growing season. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer package for proper application rates.
• Deadheading: Remove spent blooms regularly to encourage re-blooming and maintain the plant's energy. Deadheading also improves the overall appearance of the rose bush.
• Pruning: Prune the Lady of Shalott rose once a year, during dormant seasons (usually in late winter or early spring). Prune just above an outward-facing bud to promote outward growth and air circulation. Remove any dead, diseased, or crossing branches to maintain the shape and health of the rose bush.
• Mulching: Apply a layer of organic mulch, such as compost or bark chips, around the base of the rose to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and improve soil fertility.
• Disease and Pest Control: The Lady of Shalott rose is known for its disease resistance, but it is still susceptible to common rose issues like black spot, powdery mildew, and aphids. Regularly inspect your rose for any signs of disease or pest infestation and take appropriate control measures, such as removing infected plant parts or using natural or chemical pesticides.
• Winter Protection: In colder climates, protect your rose from extreme winter temperatures. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base to insulate the roots. You can also cover the entire rose bush with burlap or wrap the canes with straw or foam rose cones.

Additional Tips

• The Lady of Shalott rose is excellent for cut flowers, so feel free to cut some blooms to display indoors.
• For a spectacular display, combine the Lady of Shalott rose with plants that have cool blue colours, such as salvia, nepeta, or lavender.

Where to buy the Lady of Shalott rose

The Lady of Shalott rose is available for purchase from a variety of retailers, including:

David Austin Roses

David Austin Roses is a family-owned company that offers a 5-year guarantee and lifetime support for any rose ordered directly from them. They handpick their roses on their farm in Shropshire and have been breeding and selling roses since 1961. David Austin's English Roses are known for their vigorous growth, full bushes, disease resistance, and prolific bloom. The Lady of Shalott rose is available as both an English shrub rose and an English climbing rose on their website.

Heirloom Roses

Heirloom Roses is a family-owned company that sells healthy, virus-free own-root roses with a guarantee of success in the first year. They offer free shipping on orders over $125 and have rose experts available to answer customer questions. The Lady of Shalott rose is available for purchase on their website for $65.

Rosarium Garden Center

Rosarium Garden Center allows customers to order the Lady of Shalott rose anytime and pick it up at their garden center when it opens in April. They do not ship their roses. The Rosarium Garden Center describes the Lady of Shalott rose as one of the most reliable and hardy roses, with continuous bloom throughout the season and ease of growth, especially for those new to growing roses.

The colour of the Lady of Shalott rose

The Lady of Shalott rose is a vibrant, rich orange-red in colour when in bud. As the flowers bloom, they become apricot-orange in colour, with salmon pink outer petals and a golden yellow reverse. The leaves of the shrub start as red-bronze and mature to mid-green. The colour of the rose may vary depending on growing conditions.

The name origin of the Lady of Shalott rose

The name of the rose "Lady of Shalott" is taken from one of Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poems, which was itself inspired by Arthurian legend. The name was chosen to commemorate the 200th anniversary of Tennyson's birth.

"The Lady of Shalott" is a popular ballad by Tennyson about a woman who lived in a castle close to King Arthur's Camelot and was held in a spell. The Tennyson Society, which promotes the work of the 19th-century poet, also played a role in the rose's naming.

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