Darcey Bussell Rose Rosa Darcey Bussell = 'Ausdecorum' (PBR) (S)
ABOUT
Rosa Darcey Bussell, a beautiful variety of English rose, is renowned for its striking blooms and elegant posture. Characterized by its deeply cupped flowers, the plant showcases rich, velvety crimson petals that gently fade to a lighter pink at the edges, exuding an air of classic charm. The flowers are borne in clusters, creating a delightful display of color, and they possess a pleasing, fruity fragrance that is a delight to the senses. The foliage of Rosa Darcey Bussell is a lush dark green, providing a perfect backdrop for the vibrant flowers. The leaves are glossy and have a leathery texture, which contributes to the overall healthy and robust appearance of the plant. The stems are sturdy, allowing the plant to hold its lovely blooms aloft with grace. As the seasons change, Rosa Darcey Bussell continues to enchant, with blooms that repeat throughout the growing season. With diligent care and favorable conditions, the plant will continue to produce its exquisite flowers, providing a long-lasting and ever-changing spectacle of beauty in any garden setting.
About this plant
- Names
Family
Rosaceae
Synonyms
Darcey Bussell Rose
Common names
Rosa 'Ausdecorum'
- Toxicity
To humans
The Darcey Bussell rose is generally considered non-toxic to humans. However, as with many plants, if ingested in large quantities it could potentially cause stomach upset or an allergic reaction in some individuals. The symptoms would likely be mild and could include nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea. It is always advisable to avoid eating plants that are not meant for consumption.
To pets
The Darcey Bussell rose is not known to be toxic to pets. While it is typically safe, if a pet were to ingest a large amount of the plant, they might experience mild gastrointestinal upset, with symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea. It is recommended to keep an eye on your pet and provide appropriate care if such symptoms occur.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Red
Height
3 feet (0.91 meters)
Spread
2.5 feet (0.76 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
6
Native area
Cultivar
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: The Darcey Bussell rose is known for its deep crimson blooms, which can enhance the beauty of any garden.
- Fragrance: This variety emits a delightful, medium-strong fragrance that can be enjoyed when planted near living spaces or walkways.
- Repeat Flowering: As a repeat-flowering rose, it provides multiple displays of flowers from late spring to frost, offering a long season of interest.
- Disease Resistance: 'Ausdecorum' possesses good resistance to common rose diseases such as rust and black spot, reducing the need for chemical treatments.
- Compact Growth: With its compact and bushy growth habit, it is well-suited to smaller gardens or growing in containers.
- Ease of Care: The Darcey Bussell rose is known to be relatively easy to care for, requiring standard rose maintenance practices.
- Pollinator Friendly: The flowers attract bees and other beneficial pollinators, supporting local ecosystems.
- Versatile Landscaping: It can be used in a variety of garden settings, including borders, rose gardens, and as a specimen plant.
- Cut Flowers: The blooms are suitable for cutting and can make elegant floral arrangements.
- Adaptable to Various Climates: This rose variety is adaptable to a wide range of climatic conditions, making it suitable for cultivation in many regions.
- Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
- Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
- Other Uses
- As natural dye: The petals of the David Austin Rose can be used to make a delicate pink dye for fabrics, art projects or even natural cosmetics.
- Floral waters: Petals can be distilled into rose water which is used in cooking, baking, and as a fragrance for linens or personal wear.
- Insect repellent: Rose bushes can act as companion plants in gardens, helping to deter pests with their strong aroma.
- Bath additives: The petals can be added to baths for a luxurious, fragrant soak that can be soothing for the mind and skin.
- Culinary garnishes: Petals can be used to adorn cakes and desserts, providing an elegant and edible touch to dishes.
- Floral crafts: Petals and buds are often used in making potpourri, sachets, or pressed flower crafts.
- Scented oils: Rose petals can be infused in oils to extract their fragrance, which is then used in perfumery or as a massage oil.
- Rose petal jam: A traditional preserve made with the petals, often enjoyed in the Middle East as a delicacy.
- Bookmarks: Dry pressed roses can make artistic and fragrant bookmarks for book lovers.
- Rose beads: Petals can be processed and turned into beads, which are then strung into rosaries or jewelry.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The rose is not used in Feng Shui practice.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The rose is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Love: As with many roses, the Rosa 'Darcey Bussell' is often associated with love and romance. Its lush blooms and captivating fragrance make it a popular choice for expressing deep affection.
- Beauty: The rich, crimson blooms of the Darcey Bussell rose symbolize beauty and perfection, reflecting the plant's stunning appearance in the garden or as a cut flower.
- Passion: The deep red color of the rose's petals is commonly linked to intense emotion and passionate feelings, making it a symbol of strong desire and commitment.
- Honor: Giving a Darcey Bussell rose can be a way to show respect and admiration for someone, reflecting the flower's namesake's own respectable and admired position as a renowned ballerina.
- Devotion: Roses are often seen as an emblem of devotion due to their ability to bloom repeatedly, just as the Darcey Bussell variety does, representing enduring and persistent affection.
- Water
The Darcey Bussell rose should be watered deeply and infrequently to encourage strong root growth; typically once a week is sufficient. During hot or dry periods, increase the frequency to twice a week. Each time you water, aim for the equivalent of 1 gallon per plant to ensure the water reaches deep into the soil. For established plants, ensure that the top 2 inches of soil are dry before watering again to prevent over-watering which can lead to root rot. In containers, water until you see it run out the bottom, ensuring the entire root ball is moistened.
- Light
The Darcey Bussell rose thrives in full sunlight, which means at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun per day. It is best to position the plant in a spot that receives early morning sunlight, as this helps to dry the dew on the leaves, reducing the risk of fungal diseases. Avoid too much shade, as this can lead to sparse blooms and poor growth.
- Temperature
The Darcey Bussell rose prefers a temperature range between 65°F and 75°F for optimal growth. It can survive winter temperatures down to about 20°F but should be protected from prolonged freezing conditions. During summer, roses can tolerate temperatures up to 90°F, though they may require additional watering during periods of extreme heat.
- Pruning
Pruning the Darcey Bussell rose is important to encourage healthy growth, improve air circulation, and shape the plant. Prune in late winter or early spring, removing dead or diseased wood and thinning out crowded branches. Aim to cut back about one-third of the older stems to promote vigorous new growth. The best time for a major prune is when the plant is dormant, but you can also deadhead spent flowers regularly during the blooming season to encourage more blooms.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
The Darcey Bussell rose thrives in a rich, well-draining soil mix consisting of one-third compost, one-third garden soil, and one-third sharp sand or grit. The ideal soil pH for this rose is between 6.0 and 7.0, which is slightly acidic to neutral.
- Repotting
The Darcey Bussell rose, being a hardy shrub, does not typically require frequent repotting and is often planted directly in the ground. If grown in containers, repotting every 2-3 years is sufficient to refresh the soil and encourage healthy growth.
- Humidity & Misting
The Darcey Bussell rose prefers outdoor conditions where it can benefit from natural humidity levels. It typically does well in average garden humidity conditions without the need for specific humidity adjustments.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Ensure bright light, good airflow, and regular watering for indoor roses.
Outdoor
Plant in well-drained soil, full sun, and water regularly for outdoor roses.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
- Life cycle
The Rosa Darcey Bussell, a variety of English rose, begins life as a seed or more commonly, as a grafted plant. Upon planting, the grafted bud grows and develops roots, establishing itself in the soil. It goes through a vegetative stage where leaves, stems, and thorns mature, followed by the formation of tight buds. These buds bloom into the characteristic rich crimson flowers in late spring to early summer. The plant then enters a repeating cycle of growth, blooming, and dormancy, typically flowering in flushes throughout the growing season. Finally, as it reaches the end of its life span, which can be many years with proper care, the rose's growth slows and it eventually ceases to produce new shoots and flowers before dying.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Spring-summer
The Rosa 'Darcey Bussell', commonly known as a type of English Rose, is typically propagated by taking semi-hardwood cuttings. This is generally done in late summer or early fall when the stems are mature but still slightly flexible. To propagate by cuttings, a healthy stem of about 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 centimeters) is selected and cut just below a leaf node. The leaves on the lower half of the cutting are removed and the cut end is dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root growth. The prepared cutting is then inserted into a pot filled with a mix of perlite and peat moss, ensuring good contact between the cutting and the growing medium. The pot is kept in a warm, humid environment with indirect light, and the soil is kept consistently moist until roots develop, which typically takes several weeks. Once rooted, the new plants can be gradually acclimated to outdoor conditions before being planted in their final location.