David Austin’s lovely bloomers thriving on under 5 hours’ sun a day
Contrary to popular belief, there are many roses for semi-shade, which will perform well on 4-5 hours a day of sun.
Do remember that in shady positions, avoid areas where there are overhanging branches and dry places. You don’t want roses to be outcompeted for moisture, food, and light. If you love your roses, here is David Austin’s collection of literary roses introduced in 2020. And my favourite scented roses can be found here.
Here are five favourites from David Austin’s collection that will perform consistently well in a more challenging environment.
Roses for semi-shade – James Galway
(English Climbing Rose, bred by David Austin). I grow this on a semi-shaded fence and it performs wonderfully, with warm pink rosettes packed with many, perfectly arranged petals.
It has an Old Rose fragrance and is almost thornless. Repeat flowering, height 12ft, bare-root plants cost £21.50, delivery from November, potted plants £30, available year-round.
Jacques Cartier
(Old Rose shrub), very similar to ‘Comte de Chambord’, with more refined flowers. Large, rosette-shaped, rich pink flowers with a powerful fragrance.
It is repeat flowering, height 4ft, width 3ft. Bare-root plant costs £21.50, delivery from November.
Roses for semi-shade – The Pilgrim
(English Climbing Rose, bred by David Austin), large, soft yellow rosettes produced freely. A mixed fragrance of tea rose and myrrh. Very healthy and reliable with attractive, bushy growth.
Repeat flowering, height up to 12ft. Bare-root plants cost £21.50, delivery from November, potted plants £30, available year-round.
Queen of Sweden
(English Rose, bred by David Austin). This shrub rose has soft apricot-pink cup-shaped flowers with elegant, upright growth. There is a classic myrrh fragrance. Good for disease resistance, repeat flowering. Height 4ft, width 2.5ft. Bare-root plants cost £21.50, delivery from November, potted plants £30, available year-round.
Roses for semi-shade – Princess Alexandra of Kent
(English Rose, bred by David Austin). Large, deeply cupped blooms of warm, glowing pink, with award-winning fresh tea fragrance with hints of lemon and blackcurrants. Repeat flowering, ideal for pots and containers. Height 4ft, width 3ft. Bare-root plants cost £21.50, delivery from November, potted plants £30, available year-round.
Also check out the repeat-flowering English roses, shrub roses (Hybrid Musks, Rugosas and Ground Covers), Gallicas, Damasks and Albas.
For more information, visit www.davidaustinroses.co.uk.
Roses for semi-shade updated July 2022