English Climber / ShrubDavid Austin, 1999Apricot and orange

Crown Princess Margareta

A descendant of 'Abraham Darby'; one of the best ‘warm’ varieties of David Austin.

Leander Group · descendants of 'Charles Austin'

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat flowering

Repeat-flowering, continuous in flushes from late spring to frosts – a very dependable repeat-flowering variety. Months are approximate, for the climate of Ukraine.

Awards

RHS AGM

Award of Garden Merit

Winter hardiness

−23 °C

USDA zone 6–9. With moderate cover — all of Ukraine.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

120–150 × 120–135 cm

Habit: Versatile – as a short climber or as a large spreading shrub; shoots long, arching
Dimensions: As a shrub: 120–150 cm × 120–135 cm; as a climber: up to 350–360 cm (RHS: 2.5–4 m × 1–1.5 m)
Support: Optional – as a shrub it needs no support; as a climber – a low trellis, obelisk, fence or south wall
Shoots: Long, flexible, arching; easily bent horizontally for abundant side flowering
Branching: Good; over time it forms a strong framework

Flower

8–9 cm

Bud shape: Round-conical, deep orange
Open flower: Full cupped – nostalgic rosette; diameter 8–9 cm
Centre: Dense orange-apricot centre
Fullness: Very double – up to 120 petals
Flower carriage: In small clusters on the shoot

Fragrance

Strong

Strong – a rich fruity tea rose with notes of mango and apricot.

Disease resistance

4 out of 5

Black spotresistantPowdery mildewresistant

Good overall; black spot and powdery mildew possible in damp conditions.

Sun

Sun or partial shade

In partial shade the orange-apricot colour holds better, without fading.

Thorns

Moderate

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Moderate number, typical of Abraham Darby descendants.

Foliage

Medium green, matt, typical of English Roses.

Other names

Breeder's code AUSwinter.

All characteristics in a table

Group: English Climber / Shrub
Breeder: David Austin, 1999
Bud shape: Round-conical, deep orange
Open flower: Full cupped – nostalgic rosette; diameter 8–9 cm
Centre: Dense orange-apricot centre
Colour: Deep apricot-orange in young flowers – with age it fades to a soft vanilla-apricot and pale yellowish. One of the best ‘warm’ Austin varieties
Fullness: Very double – up to 120 petals
Flower carriage: In small clusters on the shoot
Flowering: Repeat-flowering, continuous in flushes from late spring to frosts – a very dependable repeat-flowering variety
Fragrance: Strong – a rich fruity tea rose with notes of mango and apricot
Hips: As a rule, does not set hips – continuous flowering
Habit: Versatile – as a short climber or as a large spreading shrub; shoots long, arching
Branching: Good; over time it forms a strong framework
Shoots: Long, flexible, arching; easily bent horizontally for abundant side flowering
Thorns: Moderate number, typical of Abraham Darby descendants.
Dimensions: As a shrub: 120–150 cm × 120–135 cm; as a climber: up to 350–360 cm (RHS: 2.5–4 m × 1–1.5 m)
Support: Optional – as a shrub it needs no support; as a climber – a low trellis, obelisk, fence or south wall
Foliage: Medium green, matt, typical of English Roses
Resistance: Good overall; black spot and powdery mildew possible in damp conditions
Variations of the variety: No official sports

Colour scheme

Deep apricot-orange in young flowers – with age it fades to a soft vanilla-apricot and pale yellowish. One of the best ‘warm’ Austin varieties

Rose neighbours

Lady of Shalottwarm apricot

Buff Beautyapricot cream

Abraham Darbyapricot-peach

Munstead Wooddark raspberry · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Faassen's catmint (Nepeta)sky blue

Geranium 'Brookside'pink

Veronica longifoliablue-violet

Myrtle spurgelavenderMyrtle spurge

Neighbouring roses

Austin's warm apricot-orange palette — and the parent variety Abraham Darby:

Lady of Shalott Buff Beauty Abraham Darby Munstead Wood

Companion perennials

A lavender-blue 'haze' — a classic cool contrast to the warm apricot:

Faassen's catmint (Nepeta)geranium 'Brookside'Veronica longifoliamyrtle spurge

Contrasting accents

Silver and white for depth:

Perovskia atriplicifoliaechinacea 'White Swan'artemisia 'Powis Castle'

More about the variety

Hips: As a rule, does not set hips – continuous flowering
Variations of the variety: No official sports

How to grow

Where to plant. Arches, low pergolas, fences, south walls (as a climber) or as a large shrub in the centre of a border; striking in a group planting of 3 bushes.

Climate. Down to −23 °C – in the northern regions of Ukraine it needs moderate winter protection; in the south – no protection.

Care. As a climber – in spring, train the main shoots horizontally and shorten side shoots to 2–3 buds. As a shrub – formative pruning and removal of spent blooms. In a damp climate – prevention of black spot.

About the name

Name. In honour of Crown Princess Margareta of Sweden (1882–1920) – granddaughter of Queen Victoria, a talented landscape painter and gardener. It emphasises the rose's aristocratic character. Bred by David C. H. Austin Sr. at the house of David Austin Roses Ltd. (England), 1990; introduced in Great Britain in 1999 and in the USA in 2000. Patent code AUSwinter. Parentage: unknown seedling × 'Abraham Darby' (AUScot) – hence the warm apricot colour and the powerful fruity fragrance. In Austin's classification – Leander Group (English Climbers, descendants of 'Charles Austin').

Significance. One of the best ‘warm’ varieties in the David Austin collection, RHS AGM. A versatile rose – it grows as a short climber or as a large spreading shrub. A very dependable repeat-flowering variety with a powerful fruity fragrance of mango and apricot.

Frequently asked questions about Crown Princess Margareta

Does Crown Princess Margareta need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −23 °C (USDA zone 6–9). Overwintering depends on the conditions.

How many times a season does Crown Princess Margareta flower?

Repeat-flowering, continuous in flushes from late spring to frosts – a very dependable repeat-flowering variety.

How big does Crown Princess Margareta grow?

120–150 cm tall, 120–135 cm wide. On a support — up to 360 cm.

Which diseases affect Crown Princess Margareta?

Overall resistance: 4 out of 5. Good overall resistance, typical of Austin; black spot and powdery mildew are possible in damp conditions.

How much sun does Crown Princess Margareta need?

Sun or partial shade; in partial shade the orange-apricot colour holds better, without fading.

What does Crown Princess Margareta smell like?