Rose - A Shropshire Lad

Common Name:
A Shropshire Lad rose

Description:
The ‘A Shropshire Lad’ rose is a refined English shrub rose bred by David Austin, known for its elegant peach-pink blooms and graceful growth habit. Large, shallowly cupped flowers open in soft shades of peach and blush, fading to creamy tones at the edges as they mature. The blooms carry a fresh, fruity tea fragrance and appear in flushes from late spring through to autumn. This variety is vigorous, upright, and relatively thorn-free, with glossy dark green foliage that stays healthy throughout the season. In Melbourne gardens, it performs well as a tall shrub or can be trained as a short climber on a fence or arch. It prefers a sunny to partly shaded position in fertile, well-drained soil, and responds well to regular feeding, watering, and light pruning. Its versatility, fragrance, and delicate colouring make it an excellent choice for both informal gardens and more structured landscapes.

Form:
• Shrub – Large
• Climber (short climber when trained)

Mature Size:
• Height: approx. 2.5–4 m (as a climber)
• Width: approx. 1.5–2.5 m

Aspect:
• Full Sun
• Part Shade

Flowering:
• Flowers in Spring
• Flowers in Summer
• Flowers in Autumn

Flower Colour:
• Soft peach-pink
• Blush-pink
• Cream undertones

Key Attributes:
• Suitable for Pots (large containers)
• Bee Attracting
• Perennial
• Suitable for Hedging
• Repeat Flowering
• Low Thorn Count

Toxicity:
Not considered toxic to humans or pets. Take care when handling due to occasional thorns.

Companion Plants:
• Lavender (Lavandula angustifolia)
• Nepeta (Catmint)
• Salvia (upright varieties)
• Clematis (light-flowering types)
• White Alyssum
• Dwarf Geraniums