Olivia Rose Austin

Where to plant. In an English cottage garden, in borders with lavender, as an accent in pastel beds; ideal for beginners thanks to high resistance and compact size; as a cut shrub for fragrant home bouquets.

Climate. All of Ukraine, no winter protection (USDA 5a, −29 °C); it copes well with summer heat. One of the toughest Austin-varieties.

Care. Full sun or light shade; a well-ventilated spot; feed 2 times a season; prune ~⅓ in spring; its disease resistance allows minimal preventive care.

Name. 'Olivia Rose Austin' — after Olivia Rose Austin, the granddaughter of David C. H. Austin Sr. (founder of David Austin Roses) and the daughter of David Austin Jr. A personal family name, an Austin tradition for the most important varieties (Mary Rose 1983 is named after the Tudors' ship, but many others are named after literature and family members). It is one of the few Austin-varieties named after a living family member.

Breeding. Bred by David C. H. Austin Sr. at David Austin Roses (Albrighton, UK), the flagship of English roses. Code AUSmixture. Cross made in 2006, presented in the UK in 2014 at the Chelsea Flower Show; in Australia in 2019. Parentage: Austin seedling × Austin seedling (not published). US Patent PP27,365, Australian PBR 2018/093.

Significance. One of the bestsellers from Austin in the last decade, alongside Lady of Shalott, Roald Dahl and The Generous Gardener. Excellent disease resistance — one of the most resistant Austin-varieties, which makes it 'ideal for beginners'. RHS Award of Garden Merit — practical British recognition. Stable colour in sun is rare for soft pink English Roses (most 'fade' to white). An ideal first Austin for a garden: it combines all the series' advantages without its traditional weaknesses.