Rosa 'Imogen' - English Rose

The English rose 'Imogen' is one of David Austin's latest creations, still relatively uncommon in the horticultural trade. The variety stands out for its excellent disease resistance and exemplary floribundity. With a natural radiance and charm, this will suit a garden with an informal style where precious and wildflowers live in harmony. Throughout the growing season, it produces double, flat, medium-sized bouquets that open in a pale lemon-yellow shade before lightening to cream. Their undulating petals are arranged around a button eye, giving this rose a unique shape. The indomitable 'Imogen' forms a vigorous, upright bush adorned with glossy foliage and bursting with health.

With a relatively upright habit, 'Imogen' or 'Austrich' reaches a height of 1.25m (4ft) and a spread of about 1m (3ft), with rapid growth. Its foliage and young, vigorous shoots emerge in a reddish bronze before turning a shiny medium green. It is remarkably healthy. Its flowers emit a light but pleasant fragrance, characterised by notes of fresh apple.

This rose forms a large bush, ideal for creating a background behind borders of perennials or delicate annuals such as the Citrina daylily, botanical lilies, paniculate baby's breath, tall phlox, or toadflaxes. It is not afraid of competition from the roots of other plants, which allows it to be associated with a flower shrub border or even a landscaped hedge. It will be beautifully showcased in front of a boxwood or yew screen or, conversely, surrounded by a miniature hedge or a carefully organised maze, as in Italian or French gardens. If you have enough space, English, Old, or Shrub Roses are magnificent when planted in groups of three. They will grow together to form one opulent bush that will flower even more generously.

This variety is named after a heroine from William Shakespeare's play Cymbeline.

English Roses are well known for repeat flowering, and their flowers are renowned for being beautiful, regular rosettes with a lovely fragrance.

Obtained by David Austin in 2016.