Rose Ellen

When in full flush, ‘Ellen’ offers a striking display of apricot-hued blooms, often produced in large, tightly packed in rather large clusters. Initially, the blooms appear a rich apricot-orange, with fawn or buff undertones and dark apricot petal backs, before gently fading into creamy white and pale pink, creating a romantic, ever-changing color palette.

FLOWERING

This rose variety has a repeating flowering habit, the repeat bloom is slow but reliable with proper care. Blooms in flushes from summer until frosts when timely deadheading is provided.

At first flush ‘Ellen’ is a study in sun-warmed apricot. Buds tinted burnt-orange open to large, deeply cupped blooms of fawn-buff suffused with rich apricot at the petal backs. Occasionally, the flower centers reveal a button eye or softly clustered stamens, enhancing their old-fashioned charm. As the flower ages the yellow pigments fade, leaving a soft parchment-pink outer ring around a creamy heart, the shape becomes a loose rosette. The number of petals is often about 40 - 50, arranged loosely, so blooms sometimes appear a little untidy or “rumpled,” especially after rain, yet the sheer size and colour depth create a bold, cottage-garden presence.

The large flowers of this rose have a diameter of about 10 cm (3.9 inches). They appear in tight clusters of 5 - 15 blooms together, but most often 9, on short peduncles - almost posies perched just above the foliage, making the plant look well-filled even during modest flushes. Unfortunately they may spoil in wet weather.

The fragrance of rose variety ‘Ellen’ is very strong, fruity with hints of ripe peach and mango.

PLANT

The rose variety 'Ellen' is classified as a Shrub rose and is part of David Austin’s English Shrub Roses collection. The growth character is vigorous, upright and bushy. It forms a medium-sized, upright to bushy shrub with dark, rugosa-like foliage and an abundance of large, reddish prickles of slightly hooked downward shape. The young leaves and canes have copper-red tint. A mature and well-established plant has a height of about 125 cm (4 ft) and the width of about 100 - 125 cm (3 ft - 4 ft).

Though it starts off vigorous, it can suffer cane dieback and gradual loss of vitality in some garden settings over time. However, with careful care, especially with timely deadheading and disease monitoring, it may surprise growers with a comeback of strong basal shoots and renewed growth. Also plants of this rose variety may lose vigour after several seasons unless kept rejuvenated, therefore you will need to remove one or two of the oldest stems at the base every spring to encourage new basal canes.

The disease resistance is moderate, it is susceptible to mildew and black spot, particularly in damp or overcrowded conditions. The resistance to rust and botrytis is good. Also it has low rain tolerance - blooms may spoil or ball in wet weather. It grows best in dry, sunny borders or areas with good airflow. Regular deadheading not only tidies the bush but also encourages healthier regrowth and repeat bloom.

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

While not the most robust of Austin roses, ‘Ellen’ rewards attentive gardeners with her showy, fragrant blooms and bold presence in borders or containers. Her repeating nature is modest, but with proper pruning and a dry, sunny spot, she may flower steadily through the season.

Ellen Drew was an employee of David Austin’s nursery and retired in 1984, the rose variety ‘Ellen’ was named after her.

English Shrub Roses

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

Rose variety ‘Auscup’ / 'Ellen' originated by David Austin by crossing female parent (seed parent) - English shrub rose ‘Charles Austin’ with the male parent (pollen parent) - an unnamed and unpatented rose seedling.

USDA 6