Rose BushesA Grower's Guide to Roses
English Rose

Wollerton Old Hall

Strong myrrh scent, climber.

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

About Wollerton Old Hall

As one of the david austin & english roses, Wollerton Old Hall 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, Wollerton Old Hall is apricot/cream and fills the plant with bloom in wave after wave, carrying a strong, carrying fragrance. It is hardy across USDA zones 5-11, so it suits a wide range of gardens with the right seasonal care.

Characteristics and form

Wollerton Old Hall 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 Wollerton Old Hall 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 Wollerton Old Hall

Plant Wollerton Old Hall 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). Wollerton Old Hall blooms in repeated flushes from late spring until the first frost. Deadhead spent flowers to bring on the next wave.

Where to use Wollerton Old Hall in the garden

Wollerton Old Hall 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.

Wollerton Old Hall — frequently asked questions

How big does Wollerton Old Hall get?

Wollerton Old Hall 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 Wollerton Old Hall fragrant?

Yes — Wollerton Old Hall has a strong, carrying fragrance, and scent is one of the reasons to grow it.

Does Wollerton Old Hall bloom more than once a season?

Yes. Wollerton Old Hall 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 Wollerton Old Hall grow in?

Wollerton Old Hall is hardy in USDA zones 5-11. That range describes the winter cold it can survive; gardeners colder than zone 5 should give it winter protection or grow it in a movable container.

Is Wollerton Old Hall easy to grow?

Modern Austin introductions are notably healthy, while a few older varieties need more attention. Give Wollerton Old Hall 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 Wollerton Old Hall?

Prune Wollerton Old Hall 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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