'Lady of Shalott' Rose

Overview

'Lady of Shalott' is an orange English shrub rose, a David Austin introduction of 2009, named after the poem by Alfred, Lord Tennyson to mark the 200th anniversary of his birth. Its outer petals are salmon-pink above and golden-yellow beneath, and the rose holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit. (Rosa 'Lady of Shalott', English shrub.)

Origin & Natural Habitat

Wikipedia says Austin bred it from two unnamed seedlings, and its registration name is Ausnyson. David Austin Roses notes that it was named for the Tennyson Society; the poem tells of the Lady of Shalott, who lived under a spell in a castle near King Arthur's Camelot. In 2017 it won the Fragrance Award of the American Garden Rose Selections, with regional awards for the Northeast, Southeast, Northwest and Southwest, as Horticulture magazine reported. Wikipedia lists one child plant, 'Crawfish Etouffee' (2020).

Appearance

Rich orange-red buds open to chalice-shaped blooms filled with loosely arranged orange petals, on a bushy shrub with slightly arching stems and mid-green leaves that are bronzed when young, in David Austin's description. The breeder lists 4 ft (125 cm) by 4 ft (125 cm) in Britain and 5 ft by 4 ft on its American site, where it counts 60 petals. The RHS describes the overall effect as apricot and gives a height of 1-1.5 metres.

Why People Grow It - Qualities & Benefits

• A warm Tea fragrance with hints of spiced apple and cloves, rated medium by its breeder
• Two-tone petals, salmon-pink above and golden-yellow on the reverse
• Tolerates some shade, according to the RHS
• Attracts bees, one of the uses David Austin Roses lists

Care

Light: David Austin Roses lists full sunlight or partial shade, facing any direction. The RHS says it grows best in a sunny, open position.

Water: In spring, water newly planted roses every two or three days (David Austin Roses). Established plants need water once a week if the soil feels dry, and wilting in heat is a clear sign that a plant needs water at once.

Soil & Feeding: NC State Extension asks for organically rich, well-drained, acidic to neutral soil; David Austin Roses lists all soil types. See caring for roses for feeding.

Temperature & Hardiness: David Austin's American site gives zones 4-11 and NC State Extension 4a to 11b, Horticulture magazine gives zones 5-9, and the RHS hardiness rating is H6.

Pruning & Maintenance: RHS pruning group 21, the shrub rose group. NC State Extension deadheads the blooms as they fade but stops at summer's end, so the plant can start hardening off before winter.

Planting & Propagation

David Austin Roses says bare-root roses, which arrive dormant, can be planted from November to April and potted roses at any time of year, avoiding frozen or waterlogged ground and drought. NC State Extension suggests it for a low hedge, a mixed border, or near a patio or walkway where the scent can be enjoyed.

Common Problems & Pests

• Blooms tend to ball up in rainy weather, Wikipedia notes
• Rust, powdery mildew and black spot, which the RHS calls the most common rose diseases
• Leaf-cutter bees, rose leafhopper and aphids, all named by the RHS as possible pests

Toxicity & Safety

Roses are non-toxic to dogs and cats - the thorns are the only hazard.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Warm Tea scent with spiced apple and cloves
• Salmon-pink and golden-yellow coloring
• RHS Award of Garden Merit

Cons

• Fragrance rated medium by its breeder
• Flowers can ball in wet weather
• Arching shrub up to 4 ft wide in Britain

Best Suited For

• Cutting and cottage gardens
• Low hedges and mixed borders
• Patios and walkways
• Bee-friendly plantings

FAQ

What does the name refer to?

Tennyson's poem 'The Lady of Shalott'. David Austin Roses named the rose for the Tennyson Society to mark the 200th anniversary of the poet's birth.

How does it do in shade?

The RHS lists full sun or partial shade and says it tolerates some shade, and David Austin Roses includes partial shade among its uses. NC State Extension gives full sun to partial shade as well.