Rosa Gabriel Oak

Rosa Gabriel Oak (named after the shepherd in Thomas Hardy's novel, 'Far from the Madding Crowd') is a beautiful, opulent, and resistant bush, adorned with a flowering as richly coloured as it is fragrant. Its large flat roses, filled with petals of a striking dark pink, fade at the edges. Their beauty is accompanied by an intense fruity fragrance. They bloom in successive waves from June to October, on beautifully healthy foliage. This magnificent rose bush gives an overall impression of wealth and abundance. It is excellent in borders and hedges, and its flowers are exceptional in bouquets.

Rosa Gabriel Oak is a creation of the famous English rose breeder David Austin. This variety combines charm with excellent disease resistance. It forms a large bush with a rounded, curved, and ample habit, measuring about 1.3m (4ft) in all directions. Its growth is rapid and vigorous, and its graceful stems are covered with lush, dark green foliage that is disease-resistant. The young shoots are coloured reddish-purple, then coppery, and the young floral stems are often purple. The deciduous foliage falls in autumn. The beautiful buds gradually open to form a shallow cup, unfolding into a rosette full of petals that are divided into quarters. The colour of the roses is a deep pink with a touch of violet, fading at the edges over time. The flowering takes the form of clusters of 3 to 5 flowers. Their powerful fragrance of old roses reveals fruity notes. It will be more noticeable in calm and warm weather.

Rosa Gabriel Oak is perfect for embellishing romantic spots in the garden, accompanied by blue, white, or even mauve flowers. Pair it with annual delphiniums, perennial geraniums, or white foxgloves, for example. It will add a floral touch to perennial borders, and will thrive in a large shrub border or even a small flowering hedge. It will be enhanced by a flame clematis with its cloud-like flowering. Roses go perfectly with catmints, campanulas, paniculate baby's breath, and herbaceous or climbing clematis. You can plant them in front of taller shrubs or roses, or use them to fill the base of a small tree that they will adorn with charm.

Obtained by David Austin in 2019.