English Shrub Rose (English Rose Collection); David Austin English Roses collectionDavid C. H. Austin Sr.; David Austin Roses, 2003Yellow

Charles Darwin

Yellow English shrub; fragrance — strong; named after Charles Darwin (1809–1882), the English naturalist, biologist and geologist, author of the theory of evolution, who was born in Shropshire — the home region of the David Austin nursery.

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat flowering

Good repeat-flowering (remontant) through the season. Months are approximate, for the climate of Ukraine.

Legacy

Austin 2003

AUSpeet

Winter hardiness

−29 °C

USDA zone 5b-10a. All of Ukraine; in the north, with winter protection.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

105–120 × 90 cm

Habit: David Austin English shrub
Dimensions: 105–120 × 90 cm (height × width)

Flower

9-10 cm

Bud shape: Rounded
Open flower: Deep cup, gradually opening into a shallow cup-shaped rosette; diameter 9–10 cm (diameter ~9.5 cm, 'large')
Centre: Densely filled with petals, with no open centre (very double flower)
Fullness: Up to 136–140 petals

Fragrance

Strong; a rich, complex fragrance with a soft floral tea note that

Strong — a rich, complex fragrance: a soft floral tea note that turns to pure lemon, with light musky undertones. One of the most fragrant David Austin varieties.

Disease resistance

4 out of 5

Black spotresistantPowdery mildewresistantRustresistant

4/5 — very good resistance; described as 'very disease resistant' — it stands up well to powdery mildew, black spot and rust.

Sun

Full sun; tolerates light shade.

Thorns

Few

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Thorns: few.

Foliage

Semi-glossy, medium-green, leathery foliage; 5–7 leaflets.

All characteristics in a table

Group: English Shrub Rose (English Rose Collection); David Austin English Roses collection
Breeder: David C. H. Austin Sr.; David Austin Roses, United Kingdom, 2003
Bud shape: Rounded
Open flower: Deep cup, gradually opening into a shallow cup-shaped rosette; diameter 9–10 cm (diameter ~9.5 cm, 'large')
Centre: Densely filled with petals, with no open centre (very double flower)
Colour: Yellow — a rich, soft yellow with a mustard-gold (ochre, buff) tint; the tone shifts with the weather and the age of the flower, from warm golden to almost mustard.
Fullness: Up to 136–140 petals
Flowering: Good repeat-flowering (remontant) through the season.
Fragrance: Strong — a rich, complex fragrance: a soft floral tea note that turns to pure lemon, with light musky undertones. One of the most fragrant David Austin varieties.
Hips: Not documented; spent flowers are cut off to encourage repeat flowering
Habit: David Austin English shrub
Thorns: Thorns: few.
Dimensions: 105–120 × 90 cm (height × width)
Foliage: Semi-glossy, medium-green, leathery foliage; 5–7 leaflets.
Resistance: 4/5 — very good resistance; described as 'very disease resistant' — it stands up well to powdery mildew, black spot and rust.
Variations of the variety: Code AUSpeet; introduced 2003 (UK). Parentage: unnamed seedling × unnamed seedling (cross made around 1991–1992); the Australian patent lists seedling × 'Ausgold' ('Golden Celebration').

Colour scheme

Yellow — a rich, soft yellow with a mustard-gold (ochre, buff) tint; the tone shifts with the weather and the age of the flower, from warm golden to almost mustard.

Rose neighbours

Jude the Obscuresoft yellow

The Poet's Wifedeep yellow

Lady of Shalottwarm apricot

Munstead Wooddark raspberry · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Delphiniumblue

Sageblue-violet

Catmint (Nepeta)blue

Perovskia (Russian sage)grey-blue

Neighbouring roses

Other David Austin English Roses — together forming one 'Austin corner' of the garden:

Jude the Obscure The Poet's Wife Lady of Shalott Munstead Wood

Companion perennials

Perennials that set off the bush well:

delphiniumsagecatmint (Nepeta)perovskia (Russian sage)

Availability worldwide

David Austin English Roses variety:

🇬🇧 UK: very high · home country🇺🇸 USA: high · via Austin USA🇪🇺 Europe: high · via Austin Europe🇺🇦 Ukraine: moderate · via Austin partners

More about the variety

Hips: Not documented; spent flowers are cut off to encourage repeat flowering
Variations of the variety: Code AUSpeet; introduced 2003 (UK). Parentage: unnamed seedling × unnamed seedling (cross made around 1991–1992); the Australian patent lists seedling × 'Ausgold' ('Golden Celebration').

How to grow

Where to plant. In mixed borders among perennials, as a fragrant accent beside a path, bench or entrance; lovely in the English cottage style.

Climate. All of Ukraine (USDA 5b-10a, −29 °C); in the northern regions light winter protection is advisable.

Care. Full sun, tolerates light shade; a well-ventilated site; feed 2× per season; prune about ⅓ in spring. Disease resistance allows minimal preventive care.

About the name

Name. Named after Charles Darwin (1809–1882), the English naturalist, biologist and geologist, author of the theory of evolution, who was born in Shropshire — the home region of the David Austin nursery.

Breeding. Bred by David C. H. Austin Sr. at David Austin Roses (Albrighton, UK). Code AUSpeet. Introduced 2003. Parentage: unnamed seedling × unnamed seedling (cross made around 1991–1992); the Australian patent lists seedling × 'Ausgold' ('Golden Celebration').

Significance. One of David Austin's most popular yellow English shrubs, prized for its exceptionally strong tea-lemon fragrance and large full flowers. A reliable, hardy variety for borders, mixed beds and cutting.

Frequently asked questions about Charles Darwin

Does Charles Darwin need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −29 °C (USDA zone 5b−10a). Overwintering depends on the conditions. All of Ukraine; in the north, with winter protection.

How many times a season does Charles Darwin flower?

Good repeat-flowering (remontant) through the season.

How big does Charles Darwin grow?

105–120 cm tall, about 90 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Charles Darwin?

Overall resistance: 4 out of 5. Very good resistance; described as 'very disease resistant'.

How much sun does Charles Darwin need?