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Winchester Cathedral - Retired

Forever part of our history, these roses have paved the way for many more roses to come.

In the late 1940s, David C H Austin set out on his quest to breed the most beautiful and healthy roses; a vision that continues to remain at the heart of our business today, more than 80 years later. This vision drives our continuing assessment of rose varieties in the current collection to ensure they reach our exacting standards and expectations. Due to climatic changes and the evolution of plant diseases, some historical varieties will no longer reach our increasingly high standards. It is in these instances that we must retire the rose to ensure customers receive only the best roses that will thrive and deliver the most enjoyable customer experience, regardless of gardening expertise. As a result of our review process, Winchester Cathedral is now retired from our English Rose Collection but will always remain part of our history, paving the way for many more new roses to come, creating the next generation of roses.

If you love Winchester Cathedral, we have some great alternatives, which we are sure will endear themselves to you, bringing you much happiness and gardening enjoyment for years to come.

Winchester Cathedral
(Auscat) English Shrub Rose Bred By David Austin
A white sport of 'Mary Rose', with the occasional touch of pink. It produces a mass of medium-sized, loose petalled, fragrant rosettes, and continues to bloom at regular intervals throughout the summer. It makes a well-shaped shrub with twiggy, bushy growth and nice foliage. Named after one of the finest cathedrals in Britain. David Austin, 1984.
  • Colour: White
  • Flowering: Repeat Flowering
  • Fragrance: Medium,Old Rose
  • Bloom Size: Medium
  • Family: English Shrub Rose
  • Size: Medium Shrub
  • Height: 4ft (125cm)
  • Width: 3 1/2ft (110cm)
  • Breeder: David Austin
  • Year of Introduction: 1988
  • Mixed Border
  • Pots & Containers
  • Rose Border
  • East, South, West Facing
  • Full Sunlight
  • All soil types
Winchester Cathedral
Our rose expert’s reccomendation
Susan Williams-Ellis®
(Auscat) English Shrub Rose Bred By David Austin
A delightful, unassuming rose of typical Old Rose beauty. It is a pure white sport of the pink English Rose, ‘The Mayflower’. The remarkable thing about these two roses is that, in so far as we are aware, they are completely free from disease. The medium-strong fragrance is perfectly Old Rose in character. It is extremely winter hardy, with upright, bushy, twiggy growth. Named for the founder of Portmeirion Pottery, who was a great enthusiast of the English Roses. David Austin, 2010.
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Susan Williams-Ellis®
Description
A white sport of 'Mary Rose', with the occasional touch of pink. It produces a mass of medium-sized, loose petalled, fragrant rosettes, and continues to bloom at regular intervals throughout the summer. It makes a well-shaped shrub with twiggy, bushy growth and nice foliage. Named after one of the finest cathedrals in Britain. David Austin, 1984.
Characteristics
  • Colour: White
  • Flowering: Repeat Flowering
  • Fragrance: Medium,Old Rose
  • Bloom Size: Medium
  • Family: English Shrub Rose
  • Size: Medium Shrub
  • Height: 4ft (125cm)
  • Width: 3 1/2ft (110cm)
  • Breeder: David Austin
  • Year of Introduction: 1988
Location
  • Mixed Border
  • Roses Ideal for Pots & ContainersPots & Containers
  • Rose Border
Growing conditions
  • East, South, West Facing
  • Full Sunlight
  • Roses Suitable for All Soil TypesAll soil types
Behind the name
Named after one of the finest cathedrals in Britain.
How to plant a shrub rose
Frequently asked questions

Need more help? for individual help or advice, we encourage you to contact our friendly, knowledgeable team on 01902 376300.

Bare root roses are dormant plants and can be planted November and April.

Potted roses are available all year round and can be planted at any time of the year.

Aside from extreme weather, roses can be planted at any time during the year. The extreme weather conditions that we advise against planting in are when the ground is frozen, water-logged or during a drought.

We take every care to breed, grow and deliver the best roses. If a rose fails to grow or arrives damaged, we will replace it free of charge. The 5 year guarantee applies to roses purchased
directly from David Austin. If you would like to request a replacement or refund of a rose within the 5 year guarantee period, please complete our Returns form.

Call us on 01902 376300

Email us help@davidaustinroses.co.uk

  • Monday–Friday
    8:30am — 6:00pm
  • Saturday
    8:30am — 4:30pm
  • Sunday
    Closed
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