Discover the Ausgrab Rose: A Timeless English Beauty from David Austin
If you’re a rose enthusiast looking for a romantic, fragrant, and garden-worthy bloom, look no further than the Ausgrab Rose, also known as The Alnwick Rose. Bred by renowned rose breeder David Austin in 1993 and released in 2001, this exquisite variety brings together the old-world charm of English roses with modern vigor and blooming power. It was named after Alnwick Castle, a historic site in the UK, and goes by the breeder code “Ausgrab”.
Why Gardeners Love the Ausgrab Rose
The Ausgrab Rose grows as a medium-sized shrub, reaching up to 120 cm in height and spreading around 90 cm in width. It produces lush, cupped blooms that are 8–10 cm in diameter, each packed with up to 120 soft petals. Its pink blooms carry a delightful blend of old rose and tea rose fragrance, with subtle hints of myrrh and a faint fruity freshness.
The blooms open from round buds into full, deeply cupped rosettes. Each flower presents soft pink petals with a charming apricot undertone and a graceful scalloped edge. The outer petals sometimes appear with a red or coral blush, adding to the flower’s depth and texture.
Notably, the Ausgrab Rose is well-suited for warmer climates — its blooms hold up well in heat, and the plant maintains an upright habit even in high temperatures. Whether planted as a feature shrub, a border accent, or even in containers, it delivers a continuous show of flowers from early summer through late fall.
Disease Resistance & Growth Habit
The Ausgrab Rose, much like its sibling Alnwick Castle, shows good disease resistance and healthy foliage. It forms a compact, bushy plant with glossy green leaves and is known for producing an abundance of blooms with minimal maintenance. Gardeners also appreciate that it doesn’t droop under the weight of its blooms — a sign of strong stems and healthy vigor.
A Rose With Noble Roots
In some regions, the Ausgrab Rose is sold under different names such as “Alnwick Castle” or simply “Alnwick”. Interestingly, it was once named in honor of Jane Percy, the Duchess of Northumberland, who played a key role in restoring the gardens at Alnwick Castle and turning them into one of the most visited rose displays in the UK.
