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. Dig in plenty of compost before planting, water in well, and mulch to keep roots cool. For a screen, space plants about 72 cm apart.
Watering & feeding
Mary Rose is regular, moderate watering. A feed in spring with a balanced fertiliser keeps growth strong. In its first year, water deeply once or twice a week to settle the roots in, then taper off as it establishes.
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. Overall it 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
For a cohesive, low-care bed, pair Mary Rose with other plants that enjoy the same regular, moderate watering and warm-temperate climate. Group three or five together for impact rather than dotting single plants through the garden.
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. Stock isn't live yet — register your interest using the panel above and we'll email you the moment we have it ready.