Have you ever heard of David Austin® Roses? These exquisite flowers are the result of a brilliant idea by the renowned rose breeder, David Austin. Let's delve into what makes these roses so special.

Who was David Austin?

David C.H. Austin (1926-2018) was a renowned English rose breeder, credited with creating over 200 new rose varieties. His passion for roses began in his teens and evolved into a lifelong dedication to blending the charm of old roses with the qualities of modern ones. His significant contributions to horticulture earned him numerous accolades, including an Officer of the Most Excellent Order Award (OBE). Austin's influence on rose breeding has left a lasting legacy in gardens worldwide.

Where did David Austin® roses come from?

David Austin's roses originated in Shropshire, England. Austin began his rose breeding journey in the 1950s on his family farm in Albrighton. His first notable success was “Constance Spry,”a gorgeous pink Climber released in 1961. Over the years, his nursery became the epicenter for developing his distinctive roses, which combined historical aesthetics with modern characteristics, setting a new standard in rose breeding.

What are David Austin® roses?

David Austin® roses, also known as English Roses, are celebrated for their blend of the visual appeal and fragrance of old garden roses with the wider color range and repeat-blooming nature of modern hybrids. These roses are distinguished by their large, often multi-petaled blooms, strong fragrance, and improved disease resistance. They are versatile in the garden, suitable for borders, hedges, and containers, and are a favorite among gardeners for their enduring beauty and robustness.

To view a collection of assorted David Austin® roses, visit this page.

Where Can I Get David Austin® Roses?

David Austin® roses can be purchased directly from the David Austin® website, certain local nurseries, and can be purchased from Heirloom Roses® in this collection. 

All of the David Austin® roses propagated and carried by Heirloom Roses® are own-root , which lead to several benefits:

• Own-root roses are hardier than grafted roses because they do not have a grafting point which is susceptible to damage. Own-root roses are all one plant! The bud union of a grafted rose is the place where two roses are merged together. This grafting point is vulnerable to cold and can be easily damaged during a hard winter, causing the plant to die or revert back to rootstock which will be a different color than the rose you thought you were cultivating.
• Own-root roses come back true to variety every time! If your plant is pruned too low, run over by a lawnmower, or frozen to the ground, it will grow back true to variety because the roots are the same as the top portion of the plant (not so with bare root varieties!).
• Own-root roses are shapelier because they send up shoots called “basil breaks” from their own root system. This creates a fuller plant over time, which adds to increased vigor, bloom, and life expectancy.
• Own-root roses have no rootstock suckers, meaning more energy is sent to the main plant.

Some of our favorite David Austin® varieties include:

Golden Celebration®. Her blooms are set against dark, glossy green foliage on this repeat bloomer, and we love her as a hedge, in a bed, or in pots. She can tolerate partial shade as well. She also has large, deeply cupped, 3” flowers with up to 75 petals per bloom.

Claire Austin is a beautiful arching bush with gorgeous, very full, globular, cupped, 3.5”, gentle lemon to nearly white blooms with 41+ petals. She is a repeat bloomer with an intense, myrrh fragrance. Expect several flushes through the growing season of stunning blooms and intoxicating scent. Claire Austin loves to climb so give her a trellis, arch, wall, or obelisk and watch her grow up to 12’ tall. She can handle partial shade, and we recommend her for zones 5-11.

James Galway is the versatile Shrub or Climbing Rose you’ve dreamed of. David Austin describes him as "a superb, large shrub with long, slightly arching, almost thorn-less growth.” James Galway is a tough, disease-free rose that is excellent for the back of a mixed border and can also be grown as a Climber topping out around 12’. His flowers are 4" across and full with over 100 petals shading to pale pink at the edges. He is a continuous bloomer with a delicious, old rose fragrance. Give James Galway space and light and he will take off! Or keep him tidy and contained for an excellent, upright growing Shrub.

In conclusion, David Austin® Roses are a testament to the legacy of David C.H. Austin's passion and innovation in rose breeding. These roses combine the nostalgic charm of old garden roses with the benefits of modern hybrids, offering gardeners stunning blooms with delightful fragrances and robust growth. Whether you're looking to enhance your garden with the elegance of Golden Celebration® or the climbing beauty of Claire Austin or James Galaway, David Austin® Roses provide a versatile and enduring choice. Their unique qualities and resilient nature make them a cherished addition to any garden, ensuring that David Austin's legacy continues to blossom for generations to come.