Rose Lordly Oberon

‘Lordly Oberon’ commands attention in the garden with its towering stature, dramatic growth habit, and richly scented, heavily cupped blooms. While surpassed in popularity by newer Austin varieties, this 1982 introduction remains a favorite among rose collectors for its unique form, regal charm, and superb flowering performance when properly managed.

FLOWERING

This rose variety has a recurrent flowering habit. Although ‘Lordly Oberon’ is a repeat-flowering rose, its reblooming is slow and often limited to isolated long stems, particularly if not trained. The first flowering flush in late spring or early summer is the most prolific. The number of blooms per plant during the growing season is profuse, but there are too many to count.

‘Lordly Oberon’ produces large, very double, cupped flowers averaging 9 cm (3.5 inches) in diameter. The blooms are blush-pink with petal reverse and edges often paler, sometimes tending toward white, particularly in hot climates. Petal texture is thick and silken, forming tight, incurved rosettes that rarely open fully - evoking a more intensely cupped version of its ancestor ‘Constance Spry’. Because they often stay half-closed, a glimpse of golden stamens often peeks from the centre.

Blooms are carried singly or in clusters of two to three on long, elegant stems that appear along the full length of arching canes. In arid and warm climates, flower production is generous and long-lasting; in cooler or wetter conditions, blooms may ball or remain misshapen due to moisture.

The fragrance is strong, sweet, and evocative of classic Old roses, with a romantic perfume that is particularly notable when the plant is in full bloom.

The flowers of ‘Lordly Oberon’ are excellent for cutting, especially when harvested at half-open stage. Conditioning the cut stems overnight in deep warm water helps preserve their form in bouquets.

PLANT

The rose variety ‘Lordly Oberon’ is classified as a Shrub rose and is part of David Austin’s English Shrub Roses collection. As a shrub, ‘Lordly Oberon’ grows vigorously, producing tall, upright, and arching canes that may reach 300 to 350 cm (10 to 11.5 feet) in height and about 150 cm (6 feet) in width in warm climates, making it especially effective as a pillar rose or when trained over a tripod or trellis. In cooler zones, the plant remains more compact, averaging 125 cm (4 feet) in height and width.

The growth habit is open and lanky in youth, requiring either generous space or thoughtful training to make the most of its vertical potential. In garden design, self-pegging, a method of looping and anchoring the long canes, can greatly improve both shape and floral abundance. Self-pegging stimulates axillary buds, encouraging dozens of flowering clusters along each cane rather than a single cluster at the tip.

‘Lordly Oberon’ is best suited as a pillar rose, tall background shrub, or informal climbing rose in warmer regions. Its long, cane-like stems are ideal for vertical training, and the romantic, peony-like flowers add vertical drama and nostalgic charm to any English-style or cottage garden. Ideal placements include: against fences or walls with light support, over garden tripods or rustic obelisks, as a tall backdrop in mixed borders or near seating areas where fragrance can be appreciated. Its tall size and later bloom time require thoughtful placement away from smaller roses, which may be shaded by its expansive growth.

Foliage is large, matte, and medium to dark green, quite dense. The number of leaflets on normal mid-stem leaves is usually 5, including the terminal leaflet. New growth may be tinted bronze and armed with sharp, dark red prickles.

While generally healthy in dry conditions, ‘Lordly Oberon’ can be susceptible to mildew or rust in damp climates, particularly if air circulation is poor. It performs best in full sun with well-drained soil and requires ample space and strong support if used as a pillar rose.

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

The variety takes its name from Oberon, the king of the fairies in William Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The name aptly reflects the rose’s regal bearing and romantic, ethereal appearance.

English Shrub Roses

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

Bred by David Austin and introduced in 1982, rose variety ‘Ausron’ / ‘Lordly Oberon’ originated by David Austin by crossing female parent (seed parent) - English shrub rose ’Auscer’ / ‘Chaucer’ with the unnamed and unpatented rose seedling. It represents one of Austin’s earlier efforts to merge the charm of Old Roses with the repeat-flowering nature of modern shrubs.

USDA 6