Rose Bredon

A free-flowering, floribunda-style English shrub rose with Old rose charm: it blends the charm of Old Roses with the practical performance of modern shrubs. Although not formally classified as a Floribunda, Bredon behaves much like one, producing abundant clusters of medium, very full rosette blooms. Its flowers display a lovely buff-yellow to peachy cream coloration, with deeper tones at the center and paler, almost white petal edges. The petals’ undersides are richly tinted, giving the blooms a soft glow and layered depth as they open. Occasionally, blooms may show a hint of lemon or soft apricot near the center.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The flowers appear in medium sized clusters, of about 15 buds per cluster. Each flower measures around 7 cm ( 2.8 inches) in diameter and has buff-yellow to peachy cream coloration, with deeper tones at the center and paler, almost white petal edges. Occasionally, blooms may show a hint of lemon or soft apricot near the center.

When fully open the flower form is flat to slightly domed, rosette shaped, tightly packed with imbricated petals that display a perfectly symmetrical rosette. This form and structure gives the blooms a pleasingly classic appearance. The fragrance is light and fruity, with hints of fresh orchard fruit and subtle musk, particularly noticeable in warm weather.

‘Bredon’ forms a short, bushy, and moderately upright shrub with dark green, glossy foliage and distinctive red-tinged new growth. The canes of this rose variety are covered with numerous sharp, reddish prickles, lending the plant a rugged character. While not large, the shrub performs consistently well and blooms repeatedly throughout the season, especially with regular deadheading.

This rose variety is well-suited to small gardens, low hedges, and formal beds, where its compact size, abundant bloom, and neat form shine. However, it does have a few quirks: most notably, a tendency to retain its spent petals, which can give a slightly messy appearance unless regularly deadheaded.

Mildew and occasional rust may also occur, especially in damp climates or overcrowded plantings, therefore ensuring good air circulation and proper pruning and care are beneficial to prevent this rose from getting affected with mildew.

Rose variety is recommended for growing in climate conditions similar to USDA 6 and requires winter protection in more colder climates.

Named after Bredon Hill, a historic landmark near the Austin nursery in Hereford and Worcester, and which is immortalized in poetry ‘To an Athlete Dying Young’ by A. E. Housman.

‘Bredon’ is pronounced as ‘BREE-dun’.

English Shrub Roses

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

Rose variety ‘Ausbred’ / 'Bredon' originated by David Austin by crossing female parent (seed parent) ‘Wife of Bath’ with the male parent (pollen parent) ‘Lilian Austin’.

USDA 6