Rose - Falstaff

Common Name:
Falstaff Rose

Description:
The 'Falstaff' rose is a richly coloured English shrub rose bred by David Austin, revered for its deeply cupped, old-world blooms and intense fragrance. The flowers begin as rounded buds and gradually open into large, densely packed rosettes in a sumptuous shade of deep crimson that often matures into a rich purple-maroon. The fragrance is powerful and complex, offering a classic old rose scent with fruity undertones. 'Falstaff' is a repeat bloomer, flowering prolifically from late spring through to autumn, making it a striking feature in any garden bed or border. In Melbourne’s climate, it thrives in full sun with well-drained soil and benefits from consistent watering, feeding, and winter pruning. This rose has an upright, arching growth habit and can be lightly trained as a short climber or grown as a substantial shrub. Its dramatic colouring and scent make it a standout in both formal and informal garden designs.

Form:

• Shrub - Medium

• Climber (if lightly trained)

Mature Size:

• Height: 1.4 – 1.8 m (as a shrub)

• Height: up to 2.5 m (if trained as a climber)

• Width: 1.2 – 1.5 m

Aspect:

• Full Sun

• Part Shade

Flowering:

• Flowers in Spring

• Flowers in Summer

• Flowers in Autumn

Flower Colour:

• Deep crimson

• Purple-maroon

Key Attributes:

• Scented flowers

• Suitable for Hedging

• Suitable for Espalier

• Perennial

• Bee Attracting

• Disease Resistant

Toxicity:

• May be mildly toxic to pets if ingested (particularly the thorns and rose hips)

Companion Plants:

• Lavender

• Salvia

• Catmint (Nepeta)

• Foxglove (Digitalis)

• Penstemon