Rosa 'Sir John Betjeman'

Rosa ‘Sir John Betjeman’ – A Vivid, Free-Flowering English Rose with Modern Cottage-Garden Charm

Rosa ‘Sir John Betjeman’ is a vibrant and reliable English shrub rose bred by David Austin. Named in honour of the former Poet Laureate Sir John Betjeman, this rose brings character, colour, and charm to any garden. Known for its deep, glowing crimson-pink blooms, impressive flowering habit, and compact structure, it is a superb choice for gardeners who want a rose that is both eye-catching and easy to grow.

This variety stands out for its unique bloom colour, a rich cerise-crimson shade that intensifies as the flowers mature. The blooms begin as tight, rounded buds and gradually open into more relaxed rosettes, full of overlapping petals that soften the flower’s appearance. When the plant is in full flowering mode, the effect is striking—a rounded shrub smothered in deep pink flowers that hold their colour well in sun, shade, and cooler weather.

Rosa ‘Sir John Betjeman’ is particularly admired for its exceptional repeat flowering. From early summer through to late autumn, the plant produces wave after wave of blooms with minimal gaps, ensuring long-lasting colour and impact. This makes it a favourite for smaller gardens, patios, and borders where continuous visual interest is important.

One of the most practical strengths of this rose is its excellent disease resistance, which makes it a dependable performer even in climates prone to damp conditions. Its foliage is a glossy mid-green, offering an attractive backdrop for its vivid blooms. The overall growth habit is bushy and compact, typically reaching around 1 metre in height, making it ideal for front-to-mid border planting or for creating vibrant low rose groupings.

While the fragrance of Rosa ‘Sir John Betjeman’ is considered light to moderate, it has a pleasant freshness that complements its bold colour. Its petals are long-lasting and weather-resistant, meaning the blooms remain attractive even after rain—an important selling point for gardeners in Ireland and the UK.

In terms of garden design, this rose pairs beautifully with cool-toned perennials such as salvia, nepeta, lavender, and catmint. Its deep colouring also enhances pastel or white-flowered plants, making mixed borders feel richer and more balanced. Whether used as a single statement shrub, in clusters for dramatic effect, or integrated into cottage-style plantings, ‘Sir John Betjeman’ offers versatility as well as strong performance.

Key Features of Rosa ‘Sir John Betjeman’

• Rich Crimson-Pink Blooms: Vibrant colour that deepens with maturity.

• Excellent Repeat Flowering: Blooms continuously from summer to autumn.

• Compact, Bushy Habit: Typically grows to around 1m tall—perfect for smaller gardens.

• Healthy Growth: Very good disease resistance and strong foliage.

• Weather-Tolerant Blooms: Flowers remain attractive even in wet weather.

• Light Fragrance: Soft, fresh scent that complements the flower’s character.

• Versatile Use: Ideal for borders, cottage gardens, mass planting, or patio beds.

Planting & Care Guide

Sun Position:

• Prefers full sun for the best flowering.

• Can tolerate partial shade, though may flower slightly less.

Soil Requirements:

• Grows well in fertile, well-drained soil.

• Add compost or well-rotted manure during planting to improve soil structure.

Watering:

• Water deeply during the first growing season.

• Keep soil evenly moist in dry weather to maintain flowering.

Feeding:

• Feed with a high-quality rose fertiliser in early spring.

• Apply a second feed after the first major flush of blooms.

Pruning:

• Prune in late winter or early spring.

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

• Aim for a rounded, balanced shape.

Perfect for Garden Centre Displays

With its vivid colouring, reliable health, and continuous flowering, Rosa ‘Sir John Betjeman’ is an appealing choice for customers seeking a standout rose that is easy to maintain. Its compact size, strong performance, and rich flower colour make it an excellent seller and a great addition to both modern and traditional garden plantings

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)

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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.