Photo: T.Kiya, CC BY-SA 2.0

English (Austin) / shrub; deep crimsonDavid AustinRed

The Squire

Deep red / crimson with red-black velvet tones; fades in heat to dark pink — we are being honest about this; STRONG rich fragrance of an old rose; ~120 petals (very double); a weak-growing and capricious bush — needs care; became the parent of the legendary Othello, L.D. Braithwaite and The Prince.

Early David Austin collection

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat flowering in flushes; one of the best repeat-bloomers among the early Austins

Plant size

110–150 × 90–120 cm

Habit: Upright, sprawling, open / thin bush — not dense
Dimensions: 1.1–1.5 m tall × 0.9–1.2 m wide
Support: Not needed — a self-supporting upright bush
Shoots: Upright, medium-strength canes
Branching: Moderate; weak-growing — both parents (The Knight and Château de Clos Vougeot) are also weak-growing, so this trait is inherited; honestly, it is worth taking into account

Flower

120 petals

Bud shape: Round, dark crimson, almost black in the velvety bud
Open flower: Shallow cupped, later opening into a rosette; medium-sized, very full
Centre: Densely filled with numerous small petals (rosette structure)
Fullness: ~120 petals — very double (very full)
Flower carriage: Singly or in small clusters of 1–5

Fragrance

Strong; Old Rose (Damask)

Strong, rich fragrance of an old rose (Damask type) — one of the variety's main assets, a classic “Old Rose”.

Disease resistance

3 out of 5

Powdery mildewsusceptible

Capricious, 2–3/5 — prone to powdery mildew, needs regular prevention. Honestly: this is not a “tough” variety, but one for an attentive gardener, for the sake of its fragrance and colour.

Sun

No extreme heat

The colour fades in hot sun.

Thorns

Moderate

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Average number of thorns — typical for Austins.

Foliage

Green; needs prevention against powdery mildew.

All characteristics in a table

Group: English (Austin) / shrub; deep crimson
Breeder: David Austin, United Kingdom
Bud shape: Round, dark crimson, almost black in the velvety bud
Open flower: Shallow cupped, later opening into a rosette; medium-sized, very full
Centre: Densely filled with numerous small petals (rosette structure)
Colour: Deep dark red / crimson with red-black velvet tones. Honestly: in strong heat and bright sun the colour fades to dark pink — this is a feature of the variety, not a disease
Fullness: ~120 petals — very double (very full)
Flower carriage: Singly or in small clusters of 1–5
Flowering: Repeat flowering in flushes; one of the best repeat-bloomers among the early Austins
Fragrance: Strong, rich fragrance of an old rose (Damask type) — one of the variety's main assets, a classic “Old Rose”
Hips: No data
Habit: Upright, sprawling, open / thin bush — not dense
Branching: Moderate; weak-growing — both parents (The Knight and Château de Clos Vougeot) are also weak-growing, so this trait is inherited; honestly, it is worth taking into account
Shoots: Upright, medium-strength canes
Thorns: Average number of thorns — typical for Austins.
Dimensions: 1.1–1.5 m tall × 0.9–1.2 m wide
Support: Not needed — a self-supporting upright bush
Foliage: Green; needs prevention against powdery mildew
Resistance: Capricious, 2–3/5 — prone to powdery mildew, needs regular prevention. Honestly: this is not a “tough” variety, but one for an attentive gardener, for the sake of its fragrance and colour
Variations of the variety: Code AUSquire; bred by David Austin, UK, 1976/1977. Parentage: 'The Knight' × 'Château de Clos Vougeot'

Colour scheme

Deep red / crimson with red-black velvety tones. Honestly: in strong heat and bright sun the colour fades to dark pink — this is a feature of the variety, not a disease

Rose neighbours

L.D. Braithwaitebright red

Munstead Wooddark crimson

William Shakespeare 2000raspberry-purple.

Icebergpure white · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Lavenderlavender

Stachyssilver

Catmint (Nepeta)sky blue

Lady's mantle (Alchemilla)lime green

Neighbouring roses

Dark red, fragrant English Austins — the family to which The Squire contributed as a parent:

L.D. Braithwaite Munstead Wood William Shakespeare 2000 Iceberg

Perennial companions

Silver and blue perennials set off the deep 'wine' colour:

lavenderStachyscatmint (Nepeta)lady's mantle (Alchemilla)

Availability worldwide

⚠️ An early Austin, withdrawn from mass production — a collector's variety:

🇬🇧 UK: for collectors · home of Austin
🇪🇺 Europe: for collectors · older Austin catalogues
🇺🇸 USA: rare · specialist nurseries
🇺🇦 Ukraine: rare · via collectors

More about the variety

Hips: No data
Variations of the variety: Code AUSquire; bred by David Austin, UK, 1976/1977. Parentage: 'The Knight' × 'Château de Clos Vougeot'

How to grow

Where to plant. In a fragrance corner near resting places — for the strong damask scent; as a historic accent in a collection of early Austins; better in a spot that is semi-shaded in the afternoon, to protect the deep crimson colour from fading in hot midday sun; the open, sparse silhouette works well alongside fuller neighbours.

Climate. USDA 5b–10b (~−26…−23 °C); in Ukrainian conditions dry air-based winter protection is recommended.

Care. Needs attention — regular prevention against powdery mildew; a well-ventilated spot; full sun, but no extreme heat at the midday peak; prune about ⅓ in spring; feed during the season; water at the root, not on the leaves.

About the name

Name. “The Squire” (from English: squire — a minor landowner, a country gentleman) — in the spirit of David Austin's “English” names. When it appeared, the variety was praised as the best crimson rose of Austin's early collection. Breeder: bred by David Austin, UK, 1976/1977. Code AUSquire. Parentage: 'The Knight' × 'Château de Clos Vougeot'. Both parents are weak-growing — that is where The Squire inherited its weak vigour.

Significance. Despite its capriciousness and weak growth, The Squire played an important role in breeding — it became the parent of the legendary dark-red Austins: Othello, L.D. Braithwaite and The Prince. Its main assets are the deep crimson colour with red-black velvet and a strong damask fragrance. Honestly: the variety is demanding (powdery mildew, weak growth, colour fading in heat), so it suits an attentive collector who values fragrance and history more than someone looking for an undemanding garden bush.

Frequently asked questions about The Squire

How many times a season does The Squire flower?

Repeat flowering in flushes; one of the best repeat-bloomers among the early Austins.

How big does The Squire grow?

110–150 cm tall, 90–120 cm wide.

Which diseases affect The Squire?

Overall resistance: 3 out of 5. 2–3 / 5; capricious; prone to powdery mildew; needs prevention.

How much sun does The Squire need?

Sun; no extreme heat; the colour fades in hot sun.

What does The Squire smell like?