English Shrub Rose; an Austin-classic with a myrrh scentDavid Austin; David Austin Roses, 1996Pink

Scepter'd Isle

Q: Does Scepter'd Isle need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −29 °C (USDA zone 5-10). Overwintering depends on the conditions. RHS H6; Ukraine: Centre / South.

Soft pink cupped flowers with open yellow stamens; RHS Award of Garden Merit + Royal National Rose Society Fragrance Award; one of the most distinct myrrh scents in the Austin catalogue; the name comes from John of Gaunt's speech in Shakespeare's 'Richard II', a poetic declaration of love for England.

RHS AGM + RNRS Fragrance Award

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat flowering

Generous repeat flowering from June to October; it repeats well through the season. Months are approximate, for the climate of Ukraine.

Legacy

RHS AGM

+ RNRS Fragrance Award

Winter hardiness

−29 °C

USDA zone 5-10. RHS H6; Ukraine: Centre / South. RHS H6 · Central/South Ukraine.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

120–150 × 90–120 cm

Habit: Upright and neat: typical Austin-type, 'good in a mixed border'
Dimensions: 120-150 cm tall × 90-120 cm wide: a compact English rose that fits well into a medium mixed border
Support: Not needed; a self-supporting bush
Shoots: Medium stiffness; they hold the flowers level
Branching: Well branched, with sturdy upright shoots

Flower

5-9 cm

Bud shape: Round, soft pink, with a peach tinge before opening
Open flower: Cupped and semi-double: 5-9 cm, 45 petals, opening to show the stamens
Centre: Yellow stamens openly displayed in the cup: the main ornamental feature, rare for Austin (the centre of Austin roses is usually hidden)
Fullness: 45 petals (semi-double, open cup)
Flower carriage: Singly or in small clusters of 2-4

Fragrance

Strong; myrrh-like, one of the most striking myrrh scents among Austin roses

STRONG MYRRH: one of the most distinct myrrh scents in the Austin catalogue. Myrrh is a sweet, aniseed note inherited from 'Constance Spry', noticeable from a distance. Confirmed by the RNRS Fragrance Award.

Disease resistance

4 out of 5

Good, 4/5; typical of early Austin roses; USDA 5-10, RHS H6: good frost hardiness.

Sun

Full sun

Light shade in the heat.

Thorns

Moderate

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Moderate number of thorns, typical of English Austin roses.

Foliage

Medium green, semi-glossy.

All characteristics in a table

Group: English Shrub Rose; an Austin-classic with a myrrh scent
Breeder: David Austin; David Austin Roses, United Kingdom, 1996
Bud shape: Round, soft pink, with a peach tinge before opening
Open flower: Cupped and semi-double: 5-9 cm, 45 petals, opening to show the stamens
Centre: Yellow stamens openly displayed in the cup: the main ornamental feature, rare for Austin (the centre of Austin roses is usually hidden)
Colour: Soft pink with lighter edges; deeper pink in the centre, plus yellow stamens. It lightens a little by the end of flowering, keeping a warm tone
Fullness: 45 petals (semi-double, open cup)
Flower carriage: Singly or in small clusters of 2-4
Flowering: Generous repeat flowering from June to October; it repeats well through the season
Fragrance: STRONG MYRRH: one of the most distinct myrrh scents in the Austin catalogue. Myrrh is a sweet, aniseed note inherited from 'Constance Spry', noticeable from a distance. Confirmed by the RNRS Fragrance Award
Hips: Not documented; typically cut off
Habit: Upright and neat: typical Austin-type, 'good in a mixed border'
Branching: Well branched, with sturdy upright shoots
Shoots: Medium stiffness; they hold the flowers level
Thorns: Moderate number of thorns, typical of English Austin roses.
Dimensions: 120-150 cm tall × 90-120 cm wide: a compact English rose that fits well into a medium mixed border
Support: Not needed; a self-supporting bush
Foliage: Medium green, semi-glossy
Resistance: Good, 4/5; typical of early Austin roses; USDA 5-10, RHS H6: good frost hardiness
Variations of the variety: Code AUSland. Introduced 1996 through David Austin Roses. Breeder: David Austin. Parentage: not published, a typical Austin-practice to protect the breeding line. Part of the English Shrub Rose group, which combines the form of Old Garden Roses with the repeat flowering of modern varieties

Colour scheme

Soft pink with lighter edges; deeper pink in the centre, plus yellow stamens. It lightens a little by the end of flowering, keeping a warm tone

Rose neighbours

Gertrude Jekyllbright pink

Constance Sprysoft pink

Claire Austincreamy white

Icebergpure white · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Lavenderlavender

Hostagreen foliage

Lady's mantle (Alchemilla)lime green

Sage (Salvia)purple

Neighbouring roses

English Austin roses create a “myrrh corner” in the fragrance garden:

Gertrude Jekyll Constance Spry Claire Austin Iceberg

Perennial companions

Classic English cottage palette:

lavenderhostalady's mantle (Alchemilla)sage (Salvia)

Availability worldwide

⭐ A reliable Austin classic for fragrance gardens:

🇬🇧 UK: very high · home of the Austin roses🇺🇸 USA: high · classic🇪🇺 Europe: high🇺🇦 Ukraine: moderate · via collector nurseries

More about the variety

Hips: Not documented; typically cut off
Variations of the variety: Code AUSland. Introduced 1996 through David Austin Roses. Breeder: David Austin. Parentage: not published, a typical Austin-practice to protect the breeding line. Part of the English Shrub Rose group, which combines the form of Old Garden Roses with the repeat flowering of modern varieties

How to grow

Where to plant. Near places to sit (a bench, a terrace, a garden arch) so you can enjoy the myrrh scent; in a fragrance corner with other Austins; as the middle layer of a mixed border; for 'English' cottage-style plantings; good under bedroom or study windows.

Climate. Ukraine Centre / South without winter protection (USDA 5-10, RHS H6); light protection is advisable in the North; copes well with summer heat if watered deeply.

Care. Full sun or light shade in the hottest hours; moderate disease prevention; feed 3 times per season; prune ⅓ in spring; water deeply at the root, not on the foliage.

About the name

Name. 'Scepter'd Isle' = 'this sceptred isle', a line from John of Gaunt's speech in Shakespeare's 'Richard II' (Act II, Scene 1): “This royal throne of kings, this scepter'd isle… this England.” A poetic declaration of love for England, one of the best-known patriotic passages in English literature. David Austin traditionally named roses after Shakespearean images and English poetry, and this name sums up his philosophy of the 'English rose'.

Breeding. Bred by David Austin at David Austin Roses (Albrighton, Shropshire, England). Code AUSland. Introduced 1996. Parentage: not published, a typical Austin-practice. It belongs to the English Shrub Rose group, which combines the form and scent of historic Old Garden Roses with the repeat flowering and colours of modern roses.

Significance. RHS Award of Garden Merit, a Royal Horticultural Society endorsement of reliability. Royal National Rose Society Fragrance Award, an award for scent itself, which places 'Scepter'd Isle' among the small group of Austin-type varieties with recognised 'perfume' status. One of the most distinct myrrh scents in the Austin catalogue: the sweet, aniseed myrrh note is rare among modern roses and is inherited from 'Constance Spry'. A cupped flower with open stamens is a rarity for Austin, where a fully double 'rosette' usually dominates. The Shakespearean name makes it a favourite for English patriotic gardens and literature-themed collections. A compact, neat bush that fits well in a mixed border and does not sprawl.

Frequently asked questions about Scepter'd Isle

Does Scepter'd Isle need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −29 °C (USDA zone 5−10). Overwintering depends on the conditions. RHS H6; Ukraine: Centre / South.

How many times a season does Scepter'd Isle flower?

Generous repeat flowering from June to October; it repeats well through the season.

How big does Scepter'd Isle grow?

120–150 cm tall, 90–120 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Scepter'd Isle?

Overall resistance: 4 out of 5. Good: typical of early Austin roses.

How much sun does Scepter'd Isle need?

Sun; full sun; light shade in the heat.

What does Scepter'd Isle smell like?