At David Austin Roses we’re committed to helping you through every stage of growing roses – from selecting the right variety to giving your rose the care it needs to thrive. If you’re ready to buy or need more help, talk to one of our friendly rose experts.
Water until well established 
Prune once in the winter 
Feed twice, once in spring and once in summer
Below you’ll find answers to the questions we’ve been asked many times in the past. If your question isn’t covered visit our dedicated FAQ’s page or contact one of our helpful rose experts.
Climbers generally have large blooms on not too vigorous, rather stiff growth and most repeat flower. Ramblers are in general, much more vigorous. They will produce great quantities of small flowers, although most do not repeat flower. There are exceptions to both these rules: for instance, Malvern Hills and Snow Goose are repeat-flowering ramblers whereas Constance Spry Climbing is a once flowering climber. Most climbers are best for walls, trellises, arches and obelisks whereas ramblers are generally better for growing into trees and covering pergolas or large structures such as garages or sheds.
When ordering from us you have the choice of buying our roses as bare roots or in 2 quart pots. The bare root roses are 2 year old plants, whereas the 2 quart pots are 32 weeks old. Neither option is superior, it is simply a matter of personal choice. Whichever option you choose, your roses are guaranteed to bloom next summer – and for many summers to come.
Please note: ramblers, once flowering Old Roses and species roses all flower on mature wood and therefore may not flower in the first year after planting
BARE ROOT ROSES
Availability period: January – May
Bare root roses are dormant plants, dug up from the field and shipped without soil. They are the ideal choice if you’re purchasing a large number of roses, as they are very lightweight and are therefore easier to handle in the garden.
2-QUART POTTED ROSES
Availability period: April - October
Planted in a carefully selected planting mix; these own root roses are available for delivery this April - October, enabling you to plant roses outside of the bare root rose season. Our own root roses are grown from cuttings, so the roots are the same variety as the flowers, unlike our bare root roses which are grafted onto Dr. Huey rootstock.
Please click here to see a list of roses that are ideal for growing in shade.
Please click here to see a list of our most fragrant roses.
‘Princess Alexandra of Kent’ has unusually large flowers of a warm, glowing pink. They are full-petalled and deeply cupped in shape; the ring of soft pink outer petals enclosing the warm pink inner petals, creating a most pleasing effect. In spite of their size, the flowers are never clumsy and are held nicely poised above the foliage. They have a delicious fresh tea fragrance which, interestingly, changes completely to lemon as the flowers age – eventually taking on additional hints of blackcurrants. Very healthy.
It forms a well-rounded shrub. Due to the large size of the blooms, there is a lot to be said for planting in groups of three and pruning to form a single, shapely shrub - this keeps both flowers and growth nicely balanced. Position this rose towards the front of the border.
We were honoured to name this rose for Princess Alexandra, who is a cousin to Queen Elizabeth II. She is a keen gardener and great lover of roses.
Fragrance Award - Glasgow 29. Most Fragrant Award - Desert Rose Society Show, California.
In the early 1950s David Austin set out to create a more beautiful rose. Sixty years on, this simple objective remains.
From a hobby breeder as a young teenager David Austin has gone on to breed a collection of roses renowned across the world.
