English Shrub / English Climbing Rose; one of the most popular Austin XXI century rosesDavid Austin; David Austin Roses, 2009Apricot and orange

The Lady of Shalott

Q: Does The Lady of Shalott need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −34 °C (USDA zone 4-11). Overwintering depends on the conditions. All of Ukraine without winter protection!

Orange-red buds — salmon-pink outer petals with a golden-yellow reverse and an apricot, cup-shaped centre; RHS AGM 2012 + AGRS 2017; released in 2009 for the 200th anniversary of Tennyson (1809–2009); named after Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem “The Lady of Shalott” (1832), an Arthurian legend; health 5/5 + USDA 4-11 + uninterrupted repeat flowering — Austin recommends it for beginners.

RHS AGM 2012 + AGRS 2017 · USDA 4-11 (one of the most cold-hardy Austins) · released for Tennyson's 200th anniversary

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat flowering

Repeat flowering without a break from early summer to the first frosts — a rare quality. Months are approximate, for the climate of Ukraine.

Legacy

RHS AGM 2012

+ AGRS 2017 + Tennyson

Winter hardiness

−34 °C

USDA zone 4-11. All of Ukraine without winter protection!

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

120 × 100 cm

Habit: Versatile — shrub or climber; Austin's internal classification: Leander Hybrid
Dimensions: As a shrub: 120 × 100 cm (4 ft × 3.5 ft); as a climber: up to 240 cm (8 ft) tall
Support: Not needed as a shrub; as a climber — a small arch or obelisk
Shoots: Flexible, easy to shape
Branching: Well branched

Flower

9-10 cm

Bud shape: Orange-red buds — a contrasting base
Open flower: Chalice: 9–10 cm (3.5–5″), ~60 petals (HMF — 40+)
Centre: Apricot centre with visible stamens
Fullness: ~60 petals (medium-full)
Flower carriage: Singly or in small clusters

Fragrance

Medium; Tea + spiced apple + cloves

Medium strength — Tea with notes of spiced apple and cloves. A complex “warm” fragrance.

Disease resistance

5 out of 5

Black spotresistantPowdery mildewresistantRustresistant

Exceptional 5/5 — one of the healthiest Austins of all time. Resistant to blackspot, powdery mildew, rust and botrytis. USDA 4-11 — one of the most cold-hardy Austins: all of Ukraine without winter protection! For zones 4–5, mulching the base is recommended.

Sun

Full sun

Tolerates partial shade.

Thorns

Few

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Few thorns — typical for Austin.

Foliage

Glossy dark green, very healthy.

All characteristics in a table

Group: English Shrub / English Climbing Rose; one of the most popular Austin XXI century roses
Breeder: David Austin; David Austin Roses, United Kingdom, 2009
Bud shape: Orange-red buds — a contrasting base
Open flower: Chalice: 9–10 cm (3.5–5″), ~60 petals (HMF — 40+)
Centre: Apricot centre with visible stamens
Colour: Multi-faceted palette: orange-red buds – salmon-pink outer petals with a golden-yellow reverse + apricot centre. All stages on the bush at once
Fullness: ~60 petals (medium-full)
Flower carriage: Singly or in small clusters
Flowering: Repeat flowering without a break from early summer to the first frosts — a rare quality
Fragrance: Medium strength — Tea with notes of spiced apple and cloves. A complex “warm” fragrance
Hips: Not documented — typically cut
Habit: Versatile — shrub or climber; Austin's internal classification: Leander Hybrid
Branching: Well branched
Shoots: Flexible, easy to shape
Thorns: Few thorns — typical for Austin.
Dimensions: As a shrub: 120 × 100 cm (4 ft × 3.5 ft); as a climber: up to 240 cm (8 ft) tall
Support: Not needed as a shrub; as a climber — a small arch or obelisk
Foliage: Glossy dark green, very healthy
Resistance: Exceptional 5/5 — one of the healthiest Austins of all time. Resistant to blackspot, powdery mildew, rust and botrytis. USDA 4-11 — one of the most cold-hardy Austins: all of Ukraine without winter protection! For zones 4–5, mulching the base is recommended
Variations of the variety: Code AUSnyson. US Patent PP22171. Introduced 2009 for the 200th anniversary of Tennyson's birth (1809). Parentage: not disclosed — two unnamed seedlings. Available in both forms — shrub or climber

Colour scheme

Multi-faceted palette: orange-red buds — salmon-pink outer petals with a golden-yellow reverse and an apricot centre. All stages on the bush at once

Rose neighbours

Roald Dahlpeach

Teasing Georgiayellow-cream.

Sabrinacreamy apricot

Icebergpure white · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Lavenderlavender

Coreopsisyellow

Lady's mantle (Alchemilla)lime green

Salviapurple

Neighbouring roses

Warm peach and apricot varieties:

Roald Dahl Teasing Georgia Sabrina Iceberg

Perennial companions

A sunny palette with purple accents:

lavendercoreopsislady's mantle (Alchemilla)salvia

Availability worldwide

⭐⭐⭐ A top Austin of the XXI century — Austin recommends it for beginners:

🇬🇧 UK: very high · home of Austin🇺🇸 USA: high · AGRS 2017🇪🇺 Europe: high🇺🇦 Ukraine: moderate · via modern nurseries

More about the variety

Hips: Not documented — typically cut
Variations of the variety: Code AUSnyson. US Patent PP22171. Introduced 2009 for the 200th anniversary of Tennyson's birth (1809). Parentage: not disclosed — two unnamed seedlings. Available in both forms — shrub or climber

How to grow

Where to plant. Anywhere — Austin recommends it as a “rose for beginners” because of its exceptional resistance and ease of care; as a shrub in a mixed border with pastel neighbours; as a small climber on an obelisk; in “literary” corners with Tennysonian allusions; under windows thanks to its moderate size.

Climate. All of Ukraine without winter protection (USDA 4-11 — one of the most cold-hardy Austins); tolerates summer heat well; tolerates partial shade.

Care. Minimal — full sun or light shade; rating 5/5 — no chemical treatments needed; feed 2× per season; prune ⅓ in spring; deadheading speeds up the repeat flowering.

About the name

Name. “The Lady of Shalott”. Named after Alfred Lord Tennyson's poem “The Lady of Shalott” (1832) — one of the most famous poems of the Victorian era. The poem is based on an Arthurian legend about a maiden in a castle near Camelot who, under a curse, sees the world only through a mirror and weaves a tapestry of the reflected world, but falls in love with Lancelot and dies after seeing him directly. Released in 2009 for the 200th anniversary of Tennyson's birth (1809–1892). Breeder: bred by David Austin at David Austin Roses (Albrighton, Shropshire, UK). Code AUSnyson. US Patent PP22171. Introduced 2009. Parentage: not disclosed — two unnamed seedlings. Austin's internal classification: Leander Hybrid.

Significance. One of the most popular Austin XXI century roses. RHS Award of Garden Merit 2012 — officially confirmed. American Garden Rose Selections (AGRS) Award 2017. Exceptional health 5/5 — resistant to blackspot, powdery mildew, rust and botrytis. USDA 4-11 — one of the most cold-hardy Austins: all of Ukraine without winter protection. Uninterrupted repeat flowering from early summer to the first frosts — a rare quality. Often recommended by Austin for beginners: the combination of health, colour and repeat flowering makes it a “no-lose choice”. Multi-faceted palette: orange-red buds – salmon-pink petals with a golden reverse – apricot centre. Tea + spiced apple + cloves scent — a rare combination. It has not received an ADR.

Frequently asked questions about The Lady of Shalott

Does The Lady of Shalott need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −34 °C (USDA zone 4−11). Overwintering depends on the conditions. All of Ukraine without winter protection!

How many times a season does The Lady of Shalott flower?

Repeat flowering without a break from early summer to the first frosts — a rare quality.

How big does The Lady of Shalott grow?

About 120 cm tall, about 100 cm wide. On a support — up to 240 cm.

Which diseases affect The Lady of Shalott?

Overall resistance: 5 out of 5. Exceptional — one of the healthiest Austins.

How much sun does The Lady of Shalott need?

Sun; full sun; tolerates partial shade.

What does The Lady of Shalott smell like?