Rosa 'James L. Austin'

Rosa ‘James L. Austin’ – A Vibrant, Long-Flowering English Rose with Modern Appeal

Rosa ‘James L. Austin’ is a striking English shrub rose bred by David Austin and named in honour of the breeder’s nephew. This variety is celebrated for its vivid colouring, reliable health, and generous flowering habit. Ideal for gardeners seeking a rose that offers both traditional rosette-shaped blooms and a bold, contemporary colour palette, ‘James L. Austin’ stands out as a lively, eye-catching addition to any border or garden display.

The flowers of ‘James L. Austin’ are truly captivating. They appear as perfectly rounded rosettes filled with layers of petals in a rich raspberry-pink shade—one of the most vibrant colours in the David Austin collection. As the flowers mature, they maintain their intensity, ensuring long-lasting impact in the garden. Each bloom is substantial in size, typically supported by strong stems that hold the flowers upright and prevent them from nodding, even in wet weather.

This rose is also known for its pleasant fruity fragrance, which adds to its overall charm. The scent is fresh, sweet, and inviting, making it ideal for planting near paths, patios, or seating areas where it can be enjoyed up close. The flowers appear in clusters throughout the season, creating a continuous display from early summer into late autumn.

In growth habit, ‘James L. Austin’ forms a bushy, upright shrub, usually reaching around 1–1.2 metres in height. Its tidy structure and glossy deep-green foliage make it a visually appealing plant even when not in bloom. Gardeners appreciate its excellent disease resistance and overall vigour, which contribute to impressive performance year after year. This is a rose that is both beautiful and dependable—equally suited to experienced rose growers and beginners.

‘James L. Austin’ works wonderfully in a wide variety of garden settings. Its bold colour pairs well with cool-toned perennials such as salvia, nepeta, veronica, and lavender, while also complementing deeper hues like burgundy heuchera or dark foliage shrubs. For cottage-garden style plantings, it blends effortlessly with pastels and softer tones, bringing contrast and structure to more delicate schemes. Whether used as a standalone feature, in groups for added impact, or within mixed planting beds, this rose consistently delivers strong visual presence.

Key Features of Rosa ‘James L. Austin’

• Rich Raspberry-Pink Blooms: Bold and vibrant colour that stands out in any garden.

• Beautiful Rosette Shape: Full, rounded blooms packed with neatly arranged petals.

• Attractive Fragrance: Fresh, fruity scent ideal for sensory gardens and walkways.

• Repeat Flowering: Blooms abundantly from early summer to late autumn.

• Healthy, Upright Growth: Forms a bushy shrub approx. 1–1.2m tall with glossy foliage.

• Excellent Disease Resistance: Low-maintenance and reliable, even in challenging weather.

• Versatile Garden Use: Suitable for borders, feature planting, cottage gardens, or mixed beds.

Planting & Care Guide

Sun Requirements:

• Prefers full sun for maximum flowering.

• Can tolerate light shade, though the number of blooms may be reduced.

Soil:

• Grows best in fertile, well-drained but moisture-retentive soil.

• Improve soil with compost or well-rotted manure before planting.

Watering:

• Water deeply and regularly during establishment.

• Maintain consistent moisture during hot periods.

Feeding:

• Apply a rose fertiliser in early spring.

• Feed again after the first flush of blooms to support repeat flowering.

Pruning:

• Prune in late winter or early spring.

• Remove weak or crossing stems and shorten the remaining framework by about one-third.

• Aim to maintain a balanced, open shape.

Ideal for Garden Centre Displays

Rosa ‘James L. Austin’ is a standout variety for customer-facing displays thanks to its bold colour, strong fragrance, and excellent health. It appeals to gardeners looking for a rose that is both traditional in form and modern in vibrancy. Its dependable performance and season-long blooms make it easy for customers to imagine thriving in their own gardens

We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

Standard Delivery is FREE on orders over €250*

All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via Fastway Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

Live Plants Delivery

Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

Click & Collect

Can’t wait for delivery? Why not try our FREE Click & Collect service? Simply make your purchase online and collect it from our store located in Croagh Co. Limerick. Our staff will contact you by phone when your order is ready for collection (Please allow 24 hours minimum). When collecting your item, call the store on 069-64084. We will then load into your car as required. This service is available in-store 9am – 6pm Monday – Saturday (No collections on Sundays)

Click here for more information about our shipping conditions.

You can pay your online order either by credit card or via Paypal.
If you have any further questions about the online order payment please contact us via ­069 640 84 or mail.