David Austin Roses' Literary Collection of English Roses
Our English rose varieties inspired by literary classics
Featured rose Wildeve® (Ausbonny)
Creating a rose is not dissimilar to writing a literary classic; both take patience, dedication and an innate understanding of the subject. A keen writer and poet, David Austin Snr. was a lover of literature spending many an hour among his beautiful roses with a good book. It is therefore not surprising that many of those beloved characters, tales and poems feature in our rose collection.
The Emily Brontë® Rose, introduced in 2018 to honour Emily Brontë's 200th birthday, is a tribute to the themes of enduring love and passion that define her work. This exquisite rose features soft pink, flat blooms that gradually fade to cream with touches of apricot, capturing the delicate yet enduring nature of romantic love. The deep-set golden stamens add a timeless elegance to the blooms.
Its strong Tea fragrance evolves into an Old Rose scent, with notes of lemon and grapefruit, mirroring the depth and complexity of Brontë's characters. Forming a bushy and resilient shrub, the Emily Brontë® Rose is perfect for mixed borders, pots, and hedges.
Featured rose Emily Bronte®
"Gabriel was almost blinded, and he could feel Bathsheba's warm arm tremble in his hand - a sensation new and thrilling."
Thomas Hardy
Far From the Madding Crowd
Bathsheba® (Auschimbley)Bathsheba® is a vigorous climbing rose with apricot-yellow blooms that open to shallowly cupped, many-petalled rosettes. Its medium-strong fragrance combines floral myrrh, honey, and tea hints. This rose is ideal for creating a stunning display on 6ft walls, doorways, obelisks, or standard arches. It thrives in full sunlight and is suitable for all soil types. Bathsheba® was named after Bathsheba Everdene, the heroine of Thomas Hardy's novel Far from the Madding Crowd. Bathsheba is a complex character known for her beauty, independence, and challenges in love and life. The rose's warm apricot tones and vigorous nature reflect her vibrant personality and resilience, making it a fitting tribute to one of Hardy's most memorable characters.SHOP NOW
Gabriel Oak® (Auscrowd)We couldn't mention Bathsheba without Gabriel Oak. Gabriel Oak® was introduced in 2019 and is named after the steadfast and honourable shepherd from Thomas Hardy's Far from the Madding Crowd. This rose mirrors Gabriel Oak's qualities with its large, deep pink blooms that are both robust and striking. The flowers are packed with petals and release a wonderfully strong, fruity fragrance that fills the air, embodying its namesake's resilience and quiet strength. Gabriel Oak®, with its lush, bushy growth and beautiful blooms is ideal for cutting to bring a stem or two inside, borders, and containers and when planted with Bathsheba, this rose creates a lively yet complementary pairing.SHOP NOW
An exceedingly pretty rose of soft, glowing apricot-pink, each bloom is packed with numerous delicately ruffled petals.
This rose is named after the flawed heroine of Thomas Hardy’s, The Return of the Native.
Introduced in 2009 to mark Alfred Lord Tennyson's 200th birthday, Lady of Shalott® beautifully embodies the enchanting essence of Tennyson's famous poem. This vigorous and versatile shrub produces rich orange-red buds that unfurl into a beautiful blend of salmon-pink and golden-yellow petals, reminiscent of the fiery auburn hair depicted in John William Waterhouse's iconic painting.
The rose's medium Tea fragrance, with hints of spiced apples and cloves, adds an aromatic layer to its charm. Known for its exceptional health and disease resistance, The Lady of Shalott® blooms repeatedly throughout the season, creating a captivating display of colour and scent from early summer to the first frosts.
The Roald Dahl® Rose, introduced to celebrate Roald Dahl's centenary, embodies the whimsy and charm of the beloved author's stories. Its soft orange-red buds open into medium-sized, cupped rosettes with a delightful apricot hue reminiscent of the vibrant imagination found in Dahl's tales. The rose's lovely fruity Tea fragrance, with its hints of sweetness, echoes the enchanting and playful elements of Dahl's narratives.
As the rose matures into a rounded, bushy shrub with minimal thorns, it reflects the quirky and imaginative spirit that Dahl so brilliantly captured in his books. Thriving in full sunlight and adaptable to all soil types, this rose is perfect for mixed borders, pots, and rose hedges, much like Dahl's stories, which are suited to readers of all ages and settings.
The Penelope Lively® Rose, introduced in 2023, captures the essence of the celebrated author's storytelling through its elegant blooms. With berry-red buds that transition into mid-pink, cupped flowers, the rose mirrors the rich, evolving narratives Lively is known for. As the flowers mature, they shift to a soothing lavender hue, reflecting the depth and subtlety in her writing.
The medium-strong fragrance combines classic rose notes with hints of raspberry, lemon, and a touch of myrrh, evoking the nuanced layers of Lively's prose. This rose, thriving in all soil types and full sunlight, is perfect for mixed borders, rose borders, and shady areas.
Creating a rose is not dissimilar to writing a literary classic; both take patience, dedication and an innate understanding of the subject. A keen writer and poet, David Austin Snr. was a lover of literature spending many an hour among his beautiful roses with a good book. It is therefore not surprising that many of those beloved characters, tales and poems feature in our rose collection.
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Gentle Hermione® (Ausrumba)Hermione is the faithful wife in Leontes, the King of Sicily in The Winter's Tale.SHOP NOW
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The best companion plants to pair with English roses for winter interestAs winter settles in, many gardens may seem like they’re taking a well-deserved rest, but there’s still plenty of life and beauty to be found in the colder months. English roses, with their exquisite blooms and rich fragrances, are known for brightening gardens from early summer through autumn, but their allure doesn’t have to fade when winter arrives. By pairing your roses with thoughtful companion plants, you can maintain visual interest and add seasonal charm that will make your garden a delight to behold all year long.Read more6 days ago -
How to make a Christmas wreath with rose hips: a step-by-step guideThe festive season is a time to celebrate the beauty of nature and bring a touch of the outdoors into your home. One of the most charming ways to add a natural and seasonal aspect to your Christmas décor is by making your own wreath. Rose hips, with their vibrant red and orange hues, are the perfect addition to a festive wreath that captures the essence of an English winter garden.Read more6 days ago -
A garden with roses: with award winning garden designer Pollyanna WilkinsonRoses are a staple in many gardens, bringing both beauty and fragrance. At David Austin® Roses, we know how these versatile blooms can change the feel of your outdoor space. Choosing the right roses can enhance any garden, whether you're working on a traditional design, adding life to a shaded corner, or just enjoying the vibrant colours and scents they provide.Read more12 days ago -
Creating a rustic festive table with rose hips and seasonal foliageChristmas is the perfect time to gather with loved ones, sharing good food and festive cheer around a beautifully set table. To add a rustic touch to your Christmas décor, consider using rose hips in your table arrangements. These vibrant, berry-like fruits add a seasonal feel and a natural elegance that fits perfectly with the spirit of the season. If you’re fortunate enough to have roses still in bloom, add a few to your arrangements for a fragrant finishing touch that captures the essence of an English winter garden.Read more13 days ago -
Three ways to use standard roses in your gardenStandard roses are loved for their elegant, sculpted appearance and classic rose blooms perched atop long, sturdy stems. Often used as focal points in gardens, they bring a sense of structure, height, and timeless beauty. If you’re thinking about adding these unique roses to your garden, here are three inspiring ways to incorporate standard roses to create a lush, dynamic, and charming outdoor space.Read more21 days ago -
New! The Winter Gardener's Gift BoxThe new David Austin ® Winter Gardener’s Gift Box brings together our favourite essentials for tending to the garden at this time of year. Inside, there’s a voucher for a rose of the recipient's choice and a guide to taking care of roses throughout the winter months. There’s also a snug David Austin® Hat alongside a charming David Austin® Enamel Mug, both to keep in the warmth whilst outside.. To care for the winter gardener’s hardworking hands, the soothing Filberts Gardeners Hand Salve offers comfort and protection.Read more23 days ago
