English Shrub; David Austin English Roses collectionDavid C. H. Austin Sr.; David Austin Roses, 2014Yellow

The Poet's Wife

Rich yellow English shrub; fragrance — strong; the name evokes the image of a poetic muse and love — “the poet's wife”.

Auswhirl

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat, in flushes

Repeat-flowering; blooms in flushes throughout the season (summer–autumn). Months are approximate, for the climate of Ukraine.

Legacy

Austin 2014

Auswhirl

Winter hardiness

−20 °C

USDA zone 5–10. All of Ukraine, with protection in the north.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

100–120 × 90–100 cm

Habit: English shrub, David Austin
Dimensions: 100–120 × 90–100 cm (height × width)

Flower

≈ 10 cm

Up to 77 petals.

Bud shape: Round, full
Open flower: Cup (large, very double; a neat outer ring of petals surrounds an informal centre); diameter ~10 cm
Centre: Informal centre of gathered petals
Fullness: Up to 77 petals

Fragrance

Strong; Strong, rich fruity fragrance with a hint of lemon, which with

Strong — Strong, rich fruity fragrance with a hint of lemon, which as the flower ages becomes sweeter and richer; one of David Austin's most fragrant varieties.

Disease resistance

4 out of 5

Black spotresistantPowdery mildewresistantRustresistant

4/5 — Good resistance; according to suppliers' descriptions — resistant to powdery mildew, blackspot, botrytis and rust.

Sun

Full sun

Full sun; tolerates light partial shade (sufficient.

Thorns

Moderate

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Thorniness: moderate.

Foliage

Glossy dark green foliage; the bush is deciduous.

All characteristics in a table

Group: English Shrub; David Austin English Roses collection
Breeder: David C. H. Austin Sr.; David Austin Roses, United Kingdom, 2014
Bud shape: Round, full
Open flower: Cup (large, very double; a neat outer ring of petals surrounds an informal centre); diameter ~10 cm
Centre: Informal centre of gathered petals
Colour: Deep yellow — rich deep yellow, lightening over time to creamy yellow; the outer ring of petals is lighter than the centre. The colour holds well even in strong sun.
Fullness: Up to 77 petals
Flowering: Repeat-flowering; blooms in flushes throughout the season (summer–autumn).
Fragrance: Strong — Strong, rich fruity fragrance with a hint of lemon, which as the flower ages becomes sweeter and richer; one of David Austin's most fragrant varieties.
Hips: Not documented — flowers are cut to encourage repeat flowering
Habit: English shrub, David Austin
Thorns: Thorniness: moderate.
Dimensions: 100–120 × 90–100 cm (height × width)
Foliage: Glossy dark green foliage; the bush is deciduous.
Resistance: 4/5 — Good resistance; according to suppliers' descriptions — resistant to powdery mildew, blackspot, botrytis and rust.
Variations of the variety: Code Auswhirl; introduced 2014 (UK). Parentage: not disclosed (seedling × seedling, both unnamed)

Colour scheme

Rich deep yellow, lightening over time to creamy yellow; the outer ring of petals is lighter than the centre. The colour holds well even in strong sun.

Rose neighbours

Charles Darwinyellow

Jude the Obscuresoft yellow

Lady of Shalottwarm apricot

Blue for Yousmoky purple · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Salviablue-violet

Catmint (Nepeta)sky blue

Perovskia (Russian sage)blue-grey

Lavenderlavender

Neighbouring roses

Other Austin English Roses — creating one unified 'Austin corner' in the garden:

Charles Darwin Jude the Obscure Lady of Shalott Blue for You

Perennial companions

Perennials that set off the shrub well:

salviacatmint (Nepeta)Perovskia (Russian sage)lavender

Availability worldwide

A David Austin English Rose:

🇬🇧 UK: very high · home country🇺🇸 USA: high · via Austin USA🇪🇺 Europe: high · via Austin Europe🇺🇦 Ukraine: moderate · via Austin partners

More about the variety

Hips: Not documented — flowers are cut to encourage repeat flowering
Variations of the variety: Code Auswhirl; introduced 2014 (UK). Parentage: not disclosed (seedling × seedling, both unnamed)

How to grow

Where to plant. In mixed borders among perennials, as a fragrant accent beside a path, a bench or an entrance; delightful in an English cottage style.

Climate. All of Ukraine (USDA 5–10, −20 °C); in northern regions light winter protection is recommended.

Care. Full sun; tolerates light partial shade (4+ hours of direct sun is enough); a well-ventilated spot; feed 2× per season; prune about ⅓ in spring. Its disease resistance means minimal prevention is needed.

About the name

Name. The name evokes the image of a poetic muse and love — “the poet's wife”. David Austin has not officially published a specific literary source or person after whom the variety is named, so the exact origin of the name is not documented. Breeder: bred by David C. H. Austin Sr. at David Austin Roses (Albrighton, UK). Code Auswhirl. Introduced 2014. Parentage: not disclosed (seedling × seedling, both unnamed).

Significance. One of the most popular and most fragrant yellow English varieties from Austin: the colour does not fade in the sun, and its generous repeat flowering and rounded habit make it a favourite for borders and cutting.

Frequently asked questions about The Poet's Wife

Does The Poet's Wife need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −20 °C (USDA zone 5–10). Overwintering depends on the conditions. All of Ukraine, with protection in the north.

How many times a season does The Poet's Wife flower?

Repeat-flowering; blooms in flushes throughout the season (summer–autumn).

How big does The Poet's Wife grow?

100–120 cm tall, 90–100 cm wide.

Which diseases affect The Poet's Wife?

Overall resistance: 4 out of 5. Good resistance; according to suppliers' descriptions — resistant to powdery mildew, black.

How much sun does The Poet's Wife need?

Full sun; full sun; tolerates light partial shade (sufficient.

What does The Poet's Wife smell like?