Rose Bow Bells

A delightful rose that blooms abundantly, creating a well-formed, large and bushy shrub. The fragrant flowers are perfectly rounded and display a pure rose pink colour.

The blooms of 'Bow Bells' closely resemble those of the Bourbon rose 'Reine Victoria', but the plant itself has the distinct appearance of a Modern Shrub Rose.

The flowers appear in large ckusters of 3 to 5 long, pointed, red buds. When they open, the cupped blooms are about 9 cm (3½ inches) in diameter, displaying a bright, strong pink with prominent gold stamens. To maintain the colour and flower size, 'Bow Bells' benefits from some protection from intense sun.

The fragrance is mild and sweet, with Old rose character.

If not pruned, it can grow over 185 cm (6 feet), but this height can affect the quality of the flowers. If allowed to reach its full height of 185 - 245 cm (6 to 8 feet), the plant tends to stay upright until the flower buds form; then the long, thin canes become heavy and may droop.

It might take some time to establish in the garden, but once it does, it blooms with regularity similar to Floribunda roses, with an impressive rebloom. Regular deadheading is necessary to prevent new growth from mingling with old flowers, which can give the plant an untidy look. However, the extra effort is rewarded with unique, bell-shaped flowers that make 'Bow Bells' a captivating addition to any garden.

The plant is covered in medium green foliage.

The variety ‘Bow Bells’ has good disease resistance to most common rose pathogens, however it tends slightly to be prone to mildew. Pest resistance has not been tested yet.

The winter hardiness is good, it is suitable for growing in climate conditions similar to USDA 5 and requires winter protection in more colder climates.

Named after the famous "Bow bells" of St. Mary-le-Bow church in the Cheapside district, it was once said that a true Cockney must be born within the sound of these bells.

English Shrub Roses

Shrub (ARS), Delaware RS Show, 1998;

Modern Shrub Rose, Albuquerque Rose Society Show, 2000;

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

This rose variety originated by David Austin from the cross pollination of the following parents:

 The seed parent is unnamed rose seedling of the following parentage:

    - seed parent is English Shrub rose ‘Auscer’ / 'Chaucer' by David Austin, 1970;

    - pollen parent is rose 'Conrad Ferdinand Meyer' by Franz Hermann Müller, 1903;

 The pollen parent is English Shrub rose ‘Ausmas’ / 'Graham Thomas' by David Austin, 1983;

USDA 5