Lichfield Angel, close-up of the flower
Photo: Cephas, CC BY-SA 4.0
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English rose (shrub)David Austin, 2006White and cream

Lichfield Angel

Creamy white with an apricot heart; almost thornless; RHS AGM 2012.

English Rose Collection

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat-flowering through the season

Awards

RHS AGM

Royal Horticultural Society award (2012)

Winter hardiness

−20 °C

USDA zone 6+. Throughout Ukraine; with light protection in the coldest regions.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

90–120 × 60–90 cm
person 170 cm90–120 cm
Habit
Rounded, bushy, upright
Dimensions
90–120 cm tall × 60–90 cm wide (larger in a warm climate)
Support
No support needed
Shoots
Sturdy
Branching
Good

Flower

9–13 cm
Bud shape
Pale peachy pink
Open flower
Deep cup, neat domed rosette; diameter 9–13 cm
Fullness
Very dense, about 100 petals (up to 110)
Flower carriage
Singly and in small clusters

Fragrance

Light, clove-musk

Light, with a hint of clove and musk.

Disease resistance

4 out of 5

Good (≈4/5, according to David Austin).

Sun

Sun / partial shade

Full sun and partial shade; the apricot centre fades to cream in bright sun.

Thorns

Few
thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Almost thornless: very few.

Foliage

Medium, semi-glossy, dark green.

All characteristics in a table
Group
English rose (shrub)
Breeder
David Austin, United Kingdom, 2006
Bud shape
Pale peachy pink
Open flower
Deep cup, neat domed rosette; diameter 9–13 cm
Colour
Creamy white with an apricot centre; in bright sun the apricot tone fades to creamy white (a feature, not a fault)
Fullness
Very dense, about 100 petals (up to 110)
Flower carriage
Singly and in small clusters
Flowering
Repeat-flowering through the season
Fragrance
Light, with a hint of clove and musk
Hips
Not typical
Habit
Rounded, bushy, upright
Branching
Good
Shoots
Sturdy
Thorns
Almost thornless: very few.
Dimensions
90–120 cm tall × 60–90 cm wide (larger in a warm climate)
Support
No support needed
Foliage
Medium, semi-glossy, dark green
Resistance
Good (≈4/5, according to David Austin)
Variations of the variety
Code AUSrelate; parents seedling × seedling (unpublished)

Colour scheme

Creamy white with an apricot centre; in bright sun the apricot tone fades to creamy white (a feature, not a fault)

Rose neighbours

Perennials to plant nearby

Neighbouring roses

Other cream and creamy-white varieties create a warm white mood:

Companion perennials

Small white, green and silver flowers and foliage — a classic companion palette for white bouquets and 'moon' gardens:

astrantia 'Roma'hosta 'Patriot'veronicastrum 'Album'heuchera 'Silver Scrolls'

Variety features

What makes this English rose interesting:

Apricot centreAlmost thornlessRHS AGM 2012

More about the variety

Hips
Not typical
Variations of the variety
Code AUSrelate; parents seedling × seedling (unpublished)

How to grow

Where to plant. Borders and mixed beds, formal beds, containers, romantic gardens in the English style.

Climate. USDA 6 and warmer; throughout Ukraine, with light protection in the coldest regions. Full sun or partial shade; the apricot centre fades to cream in heat.

Care. A sunny or partly shaded spot; spring pruning; feeding; water at the root; moderate disease prevention

About the name

Name. «Lichfield Angel», after the «Lichfield Angel», a VIII-century limestone sculpture of the Archangel Gabriel found in 2003 during excavations at Lichfield Cathedral (England).

Breeding. Raised by David Austin (UK) in 2006; parents not published.

Significance. One of the healthiest cream Austin roses. It combines an old-fashioned form, a soft apricot centre and almost complete absence of thorns.

Frequently asked questions about Lichfield Angel

Does Lichfield Angel need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −20 °C (USDA zone 6+). Overwintering depends on the conditions. Throughout Ukraine; with light protection in the coldest regions.

How many times a season does Lichfield Angel flower?

Repeat-flowering through the season.

How big does Lichfield Angel grow?

90–120 cm tall, 60–90 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Lichfield Angel?

Overall resistance: 4 out of 5. Good resistance (according to David Austin).

How much sun does Lichfield Angel need?

Sun / partial shade; full sun and partial shade; the apricot centre fades to cream in bright sun.

What does Lichfield Angel smell like?

Light, with a hint of clove and musk.

Gardeners' photos and reviews

My climate

Choose a reference temperature to compare with the cultivar’s data. This is not an overwintering forecast or advice on winter protection; consider wind, moisture and the duration of frost.

Regional data are generalised. USDA describes average annual extreme minima, not a forecast; the values in the list are rounded. Check the conditions at your site. More information: Roses in Ukraine's climate.