Dark raspberry English rose with a fluffy, peony-like flower.
A dark 'old-fashioned' bloom in the style of a tree peony
Bloom like a tree peony; named after Shakespeare's sonnets
USDA zone 5–9. To ≈ −29 °C; overwinters with light protection. Hardy to ≈ −29 °C · overwinters with light winter protection.
Compare reference temperatures
Light fragrance of an old rose (Old Rose).
Moderate; in a wet summer blackspot is possible.
Repeat-flowering in flushes; colour more intense in cool weather.
Medium green, matt.
Breeder's code AUSbloom.
Dark muted raspberry-red; in heat it fades to dark pink
Dark and rich pink roses in the same bed intensify the deep tone of 'The Dark Lady'.
Blue and silver perennials lighten the dark bloom:
For a play of light beside the dark crimson, silver and blue:
Where to plant. At the front or middle of a border, and in romantic corners beside a bench or an entrance.
Climate. USDA 5–9 (to ≈ −29 °C) — in our conditions it overwinters with light protection at the base of the bush.
Care. Undemanding; in a wet summer watch for spotting. Moderate pruning in spring.
Name. After “The Dark Lady” — the mysterious addressee of William Shakespeare's sonnets. Breeder: David Austin (England); bred 1987, presented 1991; code AUSbloom. Descends from 'Mary Rose' × 'Prospero'.
Significance. One of David Austin's early dark red English roses, with the characteristic form of a tree peony flower.
The cultivar’s reference temperature is −29 °C (USDA zone 5–9). Overwintering depends on the conditions. To ≈ −29 °C; overwinters with light protection.
Repeat flowering in flushes with short pauses.
100–120 cm tall, about 120 cm wide.
Overall resistance: 3 out of 5. Generally healthy; moderately prone to blackspot.
Sun and partial shade; repeat-flowering in flushes; colour more intense in cool weather.
Light fragrance of an old rose (Old Rose).
