A reliable, bushy English rose bearing loose rose-pink rosettes almost continuously, with a light old-rose fragrance. One of the most dependable and free-flowering of all Austin shrubs.
At a glance
- Plant type: Shrub
- Mature size: 1.2 m H × 1.2 m W
- Aspect: full sun
- Water: regular, moderate watering
- Frost: hardy
- Maintenance: low maintenance
- Origin: Exotic
About Mary Rose
Rosa 'Mary Rose' is a fast-growing shrub in the Rosaceae family. It reaches around 1.2 m tall and 1.2 m wide at maturity, with deciduous foliage. Pink flowers appear for much of the year.
Where to grow Mary Rose
Mary Rose suits warm-temperate, cool-temperate and Mediterranean climates and grows best in full sun. It is frost hardy and shrugs off cold winters.
Soil & planting
Mary Rose does best in free-draining and loamy soil. Plant into well-prepared ground, firm the soil around the roots and water deeply to settle it in. For a screen, space plants about 72 cm apart.
Watering & feeding
Mary Rose does best with regular, moderate watering. Apply a balanced fertiliser in spring to support healthy growth. New plantings need closer moisture checks in hot or windy weather, with watering tapered once strong new growth appears.
Pruning & care
Prune Mary Rose after flowering to keep it compact and encourage the next flush of blooms. It clips well, so trim two or three times a year for a formal finish. Its ongoing care level is low maintenance.
Using Mary Rose in the garden
Mary Rose earns its place for a feature or specimen planting, its fragrance, cut flowers for the vase and a fast screen or informal hedge.
Companion planting & design
Build the planting around neighbours suited to the same regular, moderate watering and warm-temperate climate as Mary Rose. Repeating the foliage or flower colour nearby will make the composition feel deliberate.
Good to know
It is thorny — useful as a barrier, but wear gloves when pruning.
Buying Mary Rose
Plant Sale lists Mary Rose as potted plants and bare-root stock. Use the interest form above to check current sizes, pricing and availability before ordering.
