Abraham Darby Rose
Rosa 'Abraham Darby' (Auscot)
Height
120–150 cm (as shrub), up to 250 cm (as climber)
Flower size
12–15 cm
Bloom time
June – October (flushes)
Light
Full Sun / Partial Shade
Watering
Abundant
Hardiness
Zone 5 (up to -29°C)
Fragrance
Very strong, fruity with hints of strawberry
Advantages and Disadvantages
Advantages
- One of the largest and most beautiful flowers among English roses
- Stunning strong fragrance that can be smelled from a distance
- Fast growth (develops into a powerful bush in 2 seasons)
- Shade tolerance (blooms well with just 4-5 hours of sun)
Disadvantages
- Flowers are very heavy and may droop ('face-down'), especially in young bushes
- Petals get damaged by prolonged rains
- Prone to rust (orange spots)
- Shoots are stiff and thorny, making them hard to lay down for winter
Use in Landscape Design
A versatile performer. Can be a specimen (solitaire) in the center of a lawn. Can be trained as a Small Climber on an obelisk, fence, or small arch. Ideal for the back of mixed borders combined with foxgloves and delphiniums (classic English style).
Variety Description and Selection
Abraham Darby is one of David Austin's most successful roses, released in 1985. The flowers are deeply cupped, nostalgic in form, resembling old roses from 19th-century paintings. The color is variable: apricot-copper in the center, fading to pale pink at the edges. In heat, it becomes peachier; in cool weather, more pink. The bush is powerful and dense with glossy foliage.
Planting and Nutrition
Austin roses are 'hungry.' The planting hole should be very generously amended (humus, compost, bone meal). Unlike many other roses, Abraham Darby handles partial shade well. In southern regions, it's actually RECOMMENDED to plant it where it receives midday shade, otherwise flowers drop quickly.
Watering
The variety has large leaves and flowers that evaporate a lot of moisture. Water regularly (twice a week in heat). Important: water strictly at the base! If water gets inside the dense petals of the bud, it may rot or fail to open (the 'balling' effect).
Pruning: Two Options
Decide early how you want to grow this rose: 1. As a Shrub: In spring, prune shoots by half or 1/3. Remove thin branches crowding the center. You will get a wide bush 1.2–1.5m tall. 2. As a Climber: Keep shoots as long as possible, only tipping them (10-15 cm). Tie them to a support. The rose can reach up to 2.5 meters this way.
Winter Preparation
Hardiness is excellent (Zone 5), but the issue is the stiffness of the canes. Mature branches are finger-thick and hardly bend. Start bending them in September, gradually. If bending is impossible, use a 'teepee' dry-air cover, ensuring adequate snow cover.
Diseases
Relatively resistant to powdery mildew, but its weak point is rust. These are orange powdery pustules on the undersides of leaves. Treat with fungicides like 'Falcon' or 'Topas' in early summer as a preventive measure.