Rosa Falstaff

Rosa Falstaff by David Austin remains to this day one of the most beautiful creations among crimson roses. This vigorous bush, which can also be trained as a small climber, produces magnificent deep cupped roses full of red petals that gradually develop rich shades of purple and violet. Just like their colour, their fragrance of old rose with oriental notes is sumptuous. This repeat-flowering rose blooms from May to October. The bush is adorned with ample dark green foliage that perfectly enhances the flowers.

This English rose, introduced in 1999, is one of the finest introductions by the renowned rose breeder David Austin. Falstaff belongs to the group of English Hybrid Roses of Old Roses. It forms a beautiful bush with a rather upright habit, reaching about 1.25m (4ft) in height and 1.1m (4ft) in width. In favourable conditions, in warm climates, it can reach up to 3m (10ft) in height. Its growth rate is fast and vigorous. Its thorny stems are adorned with dark green foliage, divided into large toothed leaflets. It shows some sensitivity to black spot disease in humid climates. This deciduous foliage falls in autumn. This repeat-flowering rose bears 8 to 10cm (3 to 4in) wide flowers. They are solitary or grouped in small clusters of 2 to 5 units. Each cup-shaped flower is composed in the centre of multiple small petals, surrounded by larger petals that are slightly curled, and sometimes organised in quarters. The flower is initially intense crimson-red in colour, before gradually taking on shades of deep purple with violet highlights. Its powerful fragrance of old rose is more noticeable in calm and warm weather.

Rosa Falstaff is opulent and theatrical. It deserves a prominent place in the garden, near a pathway, or even against a house wall. One can place perennial geraniums, perennial salvias, forget-me-nots, foxgloves, or even chamomiles at its base. Any light flower that won't overshadow its truly magnificent flowering will be just fine. It will also thrive in a shrub border, with white, mauve, or pink roses, or a small herbaceous clematis in mauve, white, or pink tones. Roses go perfectly with catmints, campanulas, paniculate gypsophilas, and herbaceous or climbing clematis. Finally, you can plant it in front of taller shrubs, in a small flowered hedge, or use it to fill the base of a tree.

Obtained by David Austin