Rosa Darcey Bussell - English Shrub Rose

The English rose Darcey Bussell proves to be one of the most resistant roses in the David Austin collection, and probably one of its best red roses to date. Its flowers, round and very double, display a vibrant and velvety crimson hue at full bloom, which darkens slightly to bluish purple before fading. It forms a modest-sized bush, with continuous flowering until the frosts, and its roses release a unique, fruity and herbaceous scent, which is very noticeable. This variety is particularly suitable for container cultivation, and it will easily find its place at the front of shrub borders or among light perennials.

This rose, reaching a height of 1m (3ft) and a width of 70cm (28in), has robust health. Its flower, with outer petals forming an almost perfect circle, encloses a sumptuous rosette that reveals the depth of its red shades. They are also impervious to rain, which does not affect their brilliance or texture. The fragrant roses bloom throughout the summer and often into November. They are of medium size, around 7 to 8cm (3in) in diameter. Their scent is rustic, with fruity notes and a hint of grass, of medium intensity. This rose has a bushy and low habit, with rather bluish deciduous foliage that is remarkably resistant to diseases.

The bushy and compact growth of this rose makes it an ideal plant for borders, but it could also integrate well into a small flowering hedge. It allows for beautiful associations with annual or perennial plants, in a harmonious or contrasting style, in a modern and minimalist garden or, alternatively, in a wilder garden.  As companion plants, you can choose tall perennials (Persicaria amplexicaulis 'Blackfield', Allium, digitalis, linaria, paniculate phlox, aconites) or groundcovering plants (verbascum, Cotoneaster dammeri), airy plants (gauras, gypsophila) or graphic plants (grasses), climbing plants (clematis, sweet peas) or trailing plants (purple morning glories, petunias), and thus create endlessly varied scenes and promote biodiversity.

Obtained by David Austin in 2006. Hybrid of an Old Rose rose.