Lady of Shalott rose

Sun

Full sun, ideally at least 6 hours daily. Light afternoon shade helps protect flowers in hot climates.

Water

Water deeply during establishment and dry spells, allowing the surface soil to dry slightly between waterings. Avoid frequent light sprinkling and waterlogged roots.

Soil

Fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil; slightly acidic to neutral is ideal. Improve sandy or heavy soils with compost before planting.

Height

4-5 ft (1.2-1.5 m), sometimes taller in warm climates

Spread

3-4 ft (0.9-1.2 m)

Flowers

Repeated flushes from late spring or early summer into autumn; orange-red buds open into salmon-pink and apricot flowers with golden-yellow petal backs.

Foliage

Deciduous, divided green leaves; young growth often has bronze or reddish tones.

Growth

Moderate to fast once established

Care needed

Medium

• Heat tolerant
• Disease resistant
• Low allergen
• Fragrant

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.6 ft (0.5 m)

2. After 1 year

   2.3 ft (0.71 m)

3. After 2 years

   3 ft (0.93 m)

4. After 3 years

   4 ft (1.1 m)

5. After 5 years

   4 ft (1.4 m)

   full size

About 4 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Growth rate

Fast

• Water at soil level, soaking the root zone thoroughly during prolonged dry weather.
• Apply a rose fertiliser as growth starts in spring, then feed again after the first main flush according to the label; avoid late-season nitrogen in cold climates.
• Spread 2-3 in (5-8 cm) of compost or well-rotted manure over the root area each spring, keeping it clear of the stems.
• Remove spent flower clusters to a healthy leaf to encourage repeat flowering.
• Allow space around the shrub for airflow, and remove fallen diseased leaves.

Pruning. In late winter or early spring, before vigorous new growth, remove dead, damaged and crossing stems, then shorten remaining shoots by roughly one-third to one-half to maintain a balanced shrub. In climates without a cold dormant season, prune during the coolest period before the main spring flush.

Late autumn to early spring

Plant bare-root roses while dormant, provided the ground is neither frozen nor waterlogged.

Late winter

Prune established shrubs and remove dead wood and old diseased foliage.

Spring

Apply rose fertiliser and replenish organic mulch as growth begins.

Early summer

Deadhead the first flush and feed again if recommended by your fertiliser label.

Summer

Water deeply during dry spells and check young shoots and leaves for pests and disease.

Autumn

Collect diseased fallen leaves; in colder parts of its range, protect the crown or graft union with a loose mound of soil after dormancy.

• Place in a mixed border with blue catmint and purple salvias to contrast with the apricot flowers.
• Repeat several shrubs along a path or boundary to form a loose, flowering hedge.
• Use as a focal shrub near a seat where you can enjoy the fragrance without brushing against thorny stems.
• Combine with ornamental grasses and late-flowering perennials for a relaxed border that remains interesting after each rose flush.

Garden styles it suits: English country, Cottage garden, Romantic rose garden, Arts and Crafts, Sensory garden and Traditional.

Plant it with: Catmint, Hardy geranium, Meadow sage, Lady's mantle, Allium and Tufted hair grass.

Wildlife: The dense double flowers offer less accessible pollen than single roses, though some insects may visit open blooms. The shrub provides cover for small garden wildlife; avoid broad-spectrum insecticides.

• Black spot: dark leaf spots and premature leaf fall can occur despite generally good disease resistance. Remove affected fallen leaves, water at ground level and keep the shrub open to airflow.
• Powdery mildew: white powder on young leaves is more likely with dry roots and poor airflow. Water consistently during drought and avoid excessive nitrogen feeding.
• Aphids: colonies gather on soft shoots and buds. Dislodge them with water or squash small colonies; allow ladybirds and other predators to help.
• Poor flowering: shade, drought or excessive nitrogen can reduce bloom. Improve sunlight, water deeply and use a balanced rose feed rather than lawn fertiliser.

Not known to be toxic to cats, dogs, horses or people. Eating substantial amounts of foliage or flowers may cause stomach upset, and the prickles can puncture skin or injure mouths and eyes. Do not eat flowers treated with products not approved for edible crops.

• Lady Emma Hamilton rose (Rosa 'Ausbrother')

  Has more distinctly tangerine-orange flowers, conspicuously dark bronze young foliage and a strong fruity fragrance rather than Lady of Shalott's tea scent.

• Pat Austin rose (Rosa 'Ausmum')

  Has copper-orange inner petals with pale yellow reverses, usually in more loosely cupped, strongly nodding flowers; Lady of Shalott has a softer salmon-pink cast.

Lady of Shalott is named after Alfred, Lord Tennyson's poem 'The Lady of Shalott'; 'Ausnyson' is its cultivar denomination.

Propagation. Named plants are propagated vegetatively, usually by budding, grafting or cuttings; seedlings will not reliably resemble the parent. This cultivar may be protected by plant breeders' rights or patents depending on your country, so check current restrictions before propagating.

Accepted botanical name

Rosa

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.