The Cottage Rose

Where to plant. Romantic ‘cottage gardens’, English-style mixed borders, the centre of a flower bed next to perennials; looks good in a group planting of 3 bushes.

Climate. Down to −29 °C – RHS H6; suitable for all of Ukraine with moderate winter protection in the northern regions.

Care. Regular preventive fungicide treatments against black spot (the variety's weak point). A ring support or light trellis helps keep the bush from ‘wobbling’. Formative pruning in spring; removal of spent blooms.

Name. 'The Cottage Rose' – English for ‘cottage rose’; it conveys the character of a rural English garden – lush, fragrant, romantic. The name became the standard way of describing a whole style within English Roses. Bred by David C. H. Austin Sr. at the house of David Austin Roses Ltd. (Great Britain), 1991. Patent code AUSglisten. Parentage: Wife of Bath × Mary Rose – both parents are themselves early English Roses Austin.

Significance. One of the early English Shrubs Austin's, which gave its name to the whole ‘cottage’ style – pink, lush, fragrant, romantic. It belongs to the classic English Roses collection. Although for health it lags behind the modern Austin roses (the 1990s come before the ‘Best For Health’ period), it remains a benchmark in collections for its romantic character and historical significance.