Lady of Shalott is a highly celebrated English rose bred by David Austin. Named after Alfred, Lord Tennyson’s famous poem, this is a vigorous and reliable variety known for its outstanding health and repeat flowering. The flowers are a beautiful deep apricot-orange on the upper side and a contrasting golden-yellow on the underside. Their rich, cup-shaped form is complemented by a lovely, warm fragrance with notes of spiced apple and cloves.
- Sunlight Requirement: This rose thrives in full sun. For a spectacular display of flowers and to maintain a healthy plant, ensure it is planted in a position that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight per day.
- Usage: ‘Lady of Shalott’ is incredibly versatile. It grows as a bushy, upright shrub, making it ideal for mixed borders and as a specimen plant. With its vigorous growth, it can also be trained as a small climber on a fence, wall, or obelisk, where it will provide a stunning vertical accent of colour and fragrance.
- Care Tips:
- Watering: Water deeply and regularly, particularly during its first year and in dry, hot conditions. Consistent moisture is key for healthy growth and prolific flowering.
- Soil: Plant in rich, fertile, and well-draining soil. Amending the soil with compost or well-rotted manure will help to give it the best start.
- Pruning: Prune in late winter to maintain a tidy shape and encourage strong new growth. As a vigorous rose, it can handle a fairly hard prune. Regular deadheading will also encourage more blooms.
- Fertiliser: Feed the plant with a quality rose fertiliser in early spring and again after the first big flush of flowers to support its repeat blooming.
