With its eye-catching, apricot-colored, chalice-shaped flowers, roses ‘Lady of Shalott’ is commonly used in gardens, especially considering its long blooming season and disease resistance. It also is fragrant, with a scent reminiscent of tea, cloves, and spiced apple. This cultivar is a hybrid between two unnamed rose seedlings.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Rosa ‘Lady of Shalott’ (aka AUSnyson) is an apricot-orange shrub rose cultivar, bred by British rose breeder, David C. H. Austin and introduced into the UK by David Austin Roses Limited (UK) in 2009. ‘Lady of Shalott’ is part of the David Austin English Rose Collection. It was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit in 2012 and the American Garden Rose Selections award in 2017.
‘Lady of Shalott’ is a medium, bushy shrub rose, 3 to 4 ft (0.91–1.22 m) in height, with a 2 to 3 ft (0.61–0.91 m) spread. It has a strong, fruity, clove fragrance. The flowers are medium-sized, 3 inches (76 mm), and very full (40+ petals). Orange-red buds open to apricot-orange globular-shaped flowers with salmon hues and a golden-yellow reverse. Flowers are carried in small clusters. Flower colour is apricot-orange with salmon hues and a golden reverse. The rose blooms in flushes throughout the season. Blooms tend to ball up in rainy weather. Leaves start out as a red-bronze colour and matures to a semi-glossy, and dark green.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Roses ‘Lady of Shalott’ favors full sun and also can tolerate a half shade environment. In partial shade, it usually only grows leaves and does not bloom. Even if it has flower buds, the flower is neither gorgeous nor fragrant. As a result, it is recommended that gardeners ensure sunlight at least 6 hours per day during the growing season (but not necessarily in winter). In summer, it should be appropriately shaded to prevent overexposure to sunlight.
Temperature
Roses ‘Lady of Shalott’ is widely distributed from cold temperate zones to tropical areas. It likes cool, ventilated environments and is not tolerant of high temperatures. The optimum temperature range is 15 to 26 ℃. Some species can tolerate temperatures as low as -26 ℃ and high temperatures of up to 35 ℃. When the temperature is below 4 ℃ in winter and above 30 ℃ in summer, the plant becomes semi-dormant and has poor growth. The flowers during this period will have a few small, white petals with a dim and lusterless color and are not good-looking at all.
Roses ‘Lady of Shalott’ favors moist conditions but is not resistant to water-logging. It can tolerate moderate drought. Provide more water from budding to flowering, but reduce watering after blooming time. After blooming, wait to water again until the soil is basically dry to avoid any accumulation. Ensure good ventilation and drain excess water during the rainy season to prevent damage to its roots.
Watering
Thriving in its preferred habitat of well-drained soil, roses ‘Lady of Shalott’ exhibits a love for consistent moisture akin to its origins in temperate regions. This species balances drought resilience with a penchant for regular hydration, favoring a stable environment. Watering is optimal at twice a week to maintain its vitality. As an outdoor plant known for its flowering prowess, roses ‘Lady of Shalott’ benefits from increased watering during the growing season to support its lush blooms and vibrant growth.
Soil
Roses ‘Lady of Shalott’ can adapt to a variety of soil types and grows best in acidic soil which is fertile, loose, and water-drained. When planting in the garden, you should choose a place on higher terrain with sufficient sunlight, good air ventilation, and slightly acidic soil. Planting in high terrain helps avoid water accumulation in soil. Before planting, deeply loosen the soil and use organic fertilizer as base fertilizer. If planting as a potted plant, use humus-rich and slightly acidic sandy soil.
Fertilizing
Roses ‘Lady of Shalott’ favors fertile soil, so it’s best to apply fertilizer several times during the growing season, but only in small amounts each time. In the spring and summer, you can use liquid fertilizer twice a month and use slow-release fertilizer every two months. Add more nutrients for more lush plants and flowers. A slow-release organic fertilizer can be used in winter so the new shoot and buds in next year’s bloom will be lush; these flowers will be large and gorgeous.
If roses ‘Lady of Shalott’ is to be used for fresh-cut flowers, fertilize them 1-2 times a week during the florescence. Pay attention to the cultivation of branches with flowers. Cut off flower buds from weak branches of the plant to concentrate nutrients in the stronger ones. Additionally, a sprinkling of Mycorrhizal fungi (which is also sold as Root Grow) at the base of the plant will allow the beneficial fungi to form a symbiotic relationship with the root system, helping it to absorb nutrients and water.
Planting Instructions
If planting potted roses ‘Lady of Shalott’ in your garden, it’s best to find a suitable site with adequate sunlight, fertile soil, good drainage, and preferably a place that hasn’t been planted with any roses before. A field that previously grew roses may increase the probability of infection. Transplanting can be done in all seasons except winter.
First, dig a pit that is twice as big as the flower pot. Add a small amount of base fertilizer to the pit, and place the root system or rootball into the pit so that the root crown (where the aboveground part and the underground part connect) is at or slightly higher than the surface of the soil. Backfill and slowly compact the soil. A layer of organic mulch can be used to cover the soil surface for heat preservation of roots and also reduce the growth of weeds. Water thoroughly after transplanting and water often in the first week to avoid wilting caused by a lack of water.
If transplanting roses ‘Lady of Shalott’ from one part of the garden to another, do it in fall to avoid the cold of winter. Water the plants three days before transplanting; this makes it easy to dig up and retain the rootballs. Then, trim off the overlong branches and excessive leaves, leaving 3-4 branches per plant to reduce excessive consumption of nutrients and ensure its survival. Prune any unhealthy roots left after being dug up.
If a bare-root rose cannot be immediately planted after purchase, it can simply be placed into a pit and covered with soil. If it has already gone without water for some time, it’s better to soak its roots in water for half an hour before planting to help it recover. It is recommended to plant bare-root roses in gardens in the fall.
Pruning
Roses ‘Lady of Shalott’ has a strong sprouting ability and grows luxuriantly. Without proper, timely pruning, it will attract diseases and pests in hot, humid, insufficiently lit, or poorly ventilated conditions. After the first bloom, the plant should be slightly pruned. Promptly cut off faded flowers and thin, overlapping branches, leaving only young and strong branches. During winter dormancy, careful pruning is recommended.
For vines, keep main branches at 2 to 3 m long and cut off the rest. For bush plants, cut 1.02 cm above full buds, prune the whole plant to 1/3 of its original height, and leave 4-6 thicker branches while ensuring that the overall shape of the plant meets your desired appearance.
Propagation
Roses ‘Lady of Shalott’ thrives when propagated through the cutting method. Start by selecting a healthy, disease-free shoot that has recently flowered. Cut a 4-6 inch length, making an angled cut just below a leaf node. Remove the bottom leaves, leaving a few at the top for photosynthesis. For optimal rooting, dip the cut end in rooting hormone and plant it in a well-draining potting mix. Maintain consistent moisture and provide indirect light until roots establish, after which roses ‘Lady of Shalott’ can be transplanted to its final location.
Transplanting
For roses ‘Lady of Shalott’, the prime transplanting times are when nature awakens in early to late spring or when it starts to rest from mid-fall to early winter, ensuring root establishment. Choose a sunny spot with well-draining soil to welcome them. A friendly tip: ensure the new location is as hospitable as the old, for a seamless transition!
III. Uses and Benefits
Roses ‘Lady of Shalott’ is an excellent choice for beds and borders. Spectacular when combined with the cool blue colors of salvia, nepeta, or lavender. It is excellent cut flowers.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
Roses ‘Lady of Shalott’ produces excellent fresh flowers that can be pruned with sharp scissors as soon as they bloom. It is best to pick flowers in the morning to avoid loss of water through plant transpiration at noon. After picking, it is necessary to trim the base of the branch at a 45° angle to increase the water absorption area. Quickly put the flower into a vase with clean water to avoid water loss.
