Rose BushesA Grower's Guide to Roses
English Rose

Lady of Shalott

Robust and healthy.

A orange/apricot member of the david austin & english roses group, Lady of Shalott is grown for its long succession of blooms and its fragrance. Below you'll find a full profile of Lady of Shalott — its characteristics, how to grow it, where to use it in the garden, and answers to the questions gardeners ask most.

About Lady of Shalott

As one of the david austin & english roses, Lady of Shalott carries the traits gardeners look for in the group — many-petaled, cupped or rosette blooms in the old-rose style. English roses were bred to unite the full, fragrant, old-fashioned flower with the repeat bloom and reliability of a modern rose.

In flower, Lady of Shalott is orange/apricot and fills the plant with bloom in wave after wave, carrying a moderate, clearly noticeable fragrance. It is hardy across USDA zones 4-11, so it suits a wide range of gardens with the right seasonal care.

Characteristics and form

Lady of Shalott makes rounded, shrubby plant (some varieties climb), typically around 3.5 to 5 feet, with climbing forms taller tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. The blooms are many-petaled, cupped or rosette blooms in the old-rose style, medium to large in size, set against green, with health varying by variety foliage. Knowing a rose's habit and mature size is the key to placing it well: give Lady of Shalott room to reach its full spread without crowding its neighbors, which also keeps air moving through the plant and disease at bay.

How to grow Lady of Shalott

Plant Lady of Shalott where it will get at least six hours of direct sun a day in fertile, well-drained soil with good air movement around it. In cold climates, set the graft union — the swollen knob where the variety joins the rootstock — at or just below the soil line; in mild climates, keep it at soil level. Once planted, water deeply and less often to encourage deep, drought-resistant roots.

  • Light: Full sun, six hours or more; morning sun is best because it dries dew early and limits disease.
  • Soil: Rich and well-drained, slightly acidic at about pH 6.0–6.5. Improve heavy or sandy soil with plenty of compost before planting.
  • Water: Deep, infrequent soakings at the base rather than frequent light sprinkling; more in heat, sandy soil, or containers.
  • Feeding: A balanced rose fertilizer in early spring, repeated after the first flush to fuel the next.
  • Pruning: Prune it in late winter to an open, outward-facing framework, then deadhead through the season.
Bloom habit: Repeat (recurrent). Lady of Shalott blooms in repeated flushes from late spring until the first frost. Deadhead spent flowers to bring on the next wave.

Where to use Lady of Shalott in the garden

Lady of Shalott suits mixed and cottage-garden borders, fragrant plantings, and specimen shrubs. Blend it with delphiniums, foxgloves, hardy geraniums, and other cottage-garden perennials. For more ideas, see our guide to companion plants for roses.

Common problems and care

Modern Austin introductions are notably healthy, while a few older varieties need more attention. Watch for the usual rose troubles — black spot, powdery mildew, and aphids — and head them off with good air flow, base watering, and a tidy autumn clean-up. See our full guide to rose diseases and pests for identification and treatment.

Lady of Shalott — frequently asked questions

How big does Lady of Shalott get?

Lady of Shalott typically grows about 3.5 to 5 feet, with climbing forms taller tall and 3 to 4 feet wide, forming a rounded, shrubby plant (some varieties climb). Its final size depends on your climate and how you prune it.

Is Lady of Shalott fragrant?

Yes — Lady of Shalott has a moderate, clearly noticeable fragrance, and scent is one of the reasons to grow it.

Does Lady of Shalott bloom more than once a season?

Yes. Lady of Shalott is a repeat-blooming rose that blooms in repeated flushes from late spring until the first frost, especially if it is deadheaded and fed through the summer.

What hardiness zones does Lady of Shalott grow in?

Lady of Shalott is hardy in USDA zones 4-11. That range describes the winter cold it can survive; gardeners colder than zone 4 should give it winter protection or grow it in a movable container.

Is Lady of Shalott easy to grow?

Modern Austin introductions are notably healthy, while a few older varieties need more attention. Give Lady of Shalott full sun, well-drained soil, and the ordinary seasonal care any rose appreciates, and it is a straightforward rose to grow.

How and when should I prune Lady of Shalott?

Prune Lady of Shalott in late winter to an open, outward-facing framework, then deadhead through the season — see our step-by-step guide to pruning roses for the full method.

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