English Rose Rosa William Shakespeare = 'Ausroyal' (S)
ABOUT
The Rosa 'William Shakespeare' is a captivating plant that displays lush, velvety double blooms. The flowers are a deep, rich crimson color that later develop purplish hues, exuding a strong, old rose fragrance that is truly enchanting. Its petals are characteristically dense, creating a sumptuous and full blossom that is sure to draw the eye. The foliage is an attractive dark green, providing a striking contrast to the vivid blooms, and presenting a dense, bushy backdrop to the radiant flowers. As the seasons change, the plant continues to grace the garden with its recurring flowers, ensuring a long-lasting display of charming beauty. Overall, the plant epitomizes classic rose features with its captivating scent and opulent flowers, making it an excellent addition to any garden looking to add a touch of romance and splendor.
About this plant
- Names
Family
Rosaceae.
Synonyms
William Shakespeare 2000, David Austin's William Shakespeare 2000.
Common names
Rosa 'Ausroyal'.
- Toxicity
To humans
The William Shakespeare rose, generally referred to as a rose, is not considered toxic to humans. Roses are widely grown for their beauty and fragrance, and they do not contain any known toxins that would cause serious harm if ingested. However, roses have thorns that may cause physical injury if not handled properly, and some people may experience allergic reactions or skin irritation from handling roses or their thorns.
To pets
The William Shakespeare rose, commonly known just as a rose, is not considered toxic to pets such as dogs and cats. Roses are not known to contain substances that are harmful to pets if ingested. Nonetheless, the thorns on rose bushes can cause injury if a pet were to chew on the stems or attempt to eat the plant. It is always advisable to monitor pets to prevent any injuries from the thorns, but there is no significant risk of poisoning from the plant itself.
- Characteristics
Life cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Crimson
Height
4 feet (1.2 meters)
Spread
3 feet (0.9 meters)
Plant type
Shrub
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Cultivar
Benefits
- General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: The Rosa 'Ausroyal', commonly known as the English Rose, adds visual interest to any garden with its lush, deeply cupped, crimson blooms and classic appearance.
- Fragrance: English Roses are renowned for their strong and delightful fragrance, which can enrich the sensory experience of any garden or outdoor space.
- Pollinator Friendly: The flowers attract beneficial pollinators like bees, butterflies, and birds, which are essential for the pollination of many plants and the health of the ecosystem.
- Versatility: English Roses can be planted in beds, borders, and containers, and can be used for cut flowers, making them a versatile choice for many garden designs and purposes.
- Long Blooming Period: Unlike some other roses that have a short bloom time, English Roses often have a prolonged flowering season, providing color and interest for much of the growing season.
- Disease Resistance: Many English Rose varieties, including 'Ausroyal', have been bred for improved disease resistance, making them less susceptible to common rose diseases such as black spot and powdery mildew.
- Hardiness: English Roses are known for their hardiness and can survive in a variety of climates, making them suitable for many gardens around the world.
- Emotional Wellbeing: The beauty and fragrance of roses have been associated with relaxation and stress relief, contributing to emotional wellbeing when enjoyed in a garden setting.
- 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
- Culinary garnishes: Petals of the Rosa 'William Shakespeare' can be used to embellish desserts and cocktails, adding a splash of color and a floral touch.
- Natural dye: The deep crimson petals can be used to create natural dyes for fabric, paper, or other crafts, providing a non-toxic coloring option.
- Rose petal jam: The petals can be used to make a fragrant and flavorful rose petal jam, which is a unique and gourmet condiment.
- Bath additives: Dried petals of Rosa 'William Shakespeare' can be added to bath bombs or salts for a luxurious, fragrant bathing experience.
- Floral water: The petals can be distilled to create rose water, which is used in cooking, baking, and as a natural fragrance.
- Scented candles: The strong fragrance of Rosa 'William Shakespeare' makes it suitable for use in homemade scented candles.
- Potpourri: The dried petals can contribute to potpourri mixtures, providing a lasting fragrance for the home.
- Rose syrup: Petals can be used to make a sweet rose syrup, perfect for flavoring drinks, yogurts, or ice cream.
- Wedding confetti: Biodegradable and more environmentally friendly than traditional confetti, the petals can be tossed at weddings.
- Artistic inspiration: Rosa 'William Shakespeare' can be cultivated exclusively for its aesthetic appeal to inspire artists and photographers.
Interesting Facts
- Feng Shui
The rose is used in Feng Shui for its ability to attract love and create a positive, loving energy within the home. It can be placed in the southwest sector of a garden or room, which is connected to love and marriage, to enhance romantic relationships and encourage feelings of love and companionship.
- Zodiac Sign Compitability
The rose is not used in astrology practice.
- Plant Symbolism
- Passion and Love: Roses are universally symbolic of deep love, affection, and passion. The rich hues and velvety petals of the 'William Shakespeare' rose suggest a sense of timeless and enduring love.
- Beauty and Perfection: This variety, with its perfectly formed blooms, is a representation of beauty in its highest form. It symbolizes an ideal state of grace and exquisiteness.
- Mystery and Intrigue: The deep, crimson-purple coloring of the 'William Shakespeare' rose can evoke a sense of the mystical and enigmatic, hinting at hidden depths and secrets.
- Celebration and Congratulations: Gifting roses is often linked to celebrating significant achievements and milestones, making this plant ideal for special occasions that acknowledge personal or professional success.
- Expressing Admiration: The 'William Shakespeare' rose can symbolize admiration or respect for someone's accomplishments or character, representing a high regard for the individual.
- Artistic Inspiration: Named after the famed English poet and playwright, this rose also symbolizes the inspiration and creativity found within the arts and literature.
- Water
The English Rose 'William Shakespeare', requires regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged. Generally, this means watering deeply once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions. During particularly hot or dry weather, you may need to water more frequently. An average-sized rose bush should receive about 1 to 1.5 gallons of water per week. It's best to water at the base of the plant to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to fungal diseases.
- Light
The English Rose 'William Shakespeare' prefers full sun conditions to perform well. It should receive at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. The best spot for this rose would be an unobstructed location where it can bask in the morning sun, which helps dry dew from the leaves, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.
- Temperature
English Rose 'William Shakespeare' thrives in a temperature range of 55 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit but can tolerate temperatures down to around 20 degrees Fahrenheit in winter dormancy. Ideal growing conditions feature warm days and cooler nights, as extreme heat can stress the plant.
- Pruning
Pruning the English Rose 'William Shakespeare' is crucial to maintain its shape, encourage new growth, and improve air circulation. Pruning should be done in late winter or early spring, removing any dead, damaged, or diseased wood and thinning out crowded areas. Cut back old canes by about one-third to one-half to promote healthy blooms.
- Cleaning
As needed
- Soil
The best soil mix for growing 'William Shakespeare' roses is one that is rich, well-draining, and has a mixture of loam, compost, and aged manure or bone meal to provide essential nutrients. The ideal soil pH for this variety of English Rose should be between 6.0 and 7.0. Mulching is beneficial to retain moisture and to give the plant a consistent supply of nutrients.
- Repotting
'William Shakespeare' roses, being mostly grown outdoors, do not typically require frequent repotting. However, container-grown roses should be repotted every two to three years to replenish soil nutrients and to accommodate root growth. When repotting, it's best to do so in the spring before active growth starts.
- Humidity & Misting
English Roses like 'William Shakespeare' prefer an outdoor environment with natural air circulation and do not require specific humidity conditions. They are adaptable to different humidity levels, but good air circulation is crucial for preventing fungal diseases. Avoiding excessively high humidity environments is often recommended to minimize the risk of disease.
- Suitable locations
Indoor
Ensure ample light, avoid dry heat, and prune regularly.
Outdoor
Plant in full sun, provide ample space and water deeply.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
- Life cycle
The life of the William Shakespeare rose ('Ausroyal') typically begins with the germination of its seeds, which develop in the hips after the plant has been pollinated and the petals have fallen. Upon germination, seedlings emerge and gradually form a set of true leaves after the initial cotyledons, entering a growth phase where the plant develops sturdy roots, foliage, and stems. As it matures, the rose bush enters a vegetative state focused on leaf and branch development to increase its photosynthetic capacity. With enough sunlight, water, and nutrients, the rose progresses to the flowering stage, usually in the spring or early summer, where it produces the distinctive, fragrant double blooms for which William Shakespeare roses are known. After the flowering period, if pollination occurs, the flowers give way to rose hips, which contain the seeds ensuring the next generation. Finally, as a perennial, the William Shakespeare rose enters a period of dormancy in the winter, conserving energy until the cycle begins anew with the return of warmer weather.
- Propogation
Propogation time
Early spring
The Rosa 'William Shakespeare 2000', commonly known as the English rose, is most effectively propagated through the method of softwood cuttings. This technique is usually performed in late spring or early summer when new growth is still tender. To propagate, a shoot is selected and cut at a length of 4 to 6 inches (approximately 10 to 15 centimeters), ensuring that it has a few leaves. The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end of the shoot is dipped into a rooting hormone to encourage root formation. This cutting is then inserted into a pot filled with a well-draining soil mix, making sure at least two nodes are buried where leaves were removed, as these will form the roots. The cutting should be kept under high humidity conditions in a bright, indirect light setting. After a few weeks, once the cutting has established a root system, it can be transplanted into a more permanent location.