Rose Mary Magdalene

‘Mary Magdalene’ is relatively a compact English Shrub rose prized for its exquisite soft apricot-pink blooms and rich fragrance. Clusters of cupped rosette flowers open displaying a charming button eye in the centre, releasing a delicious tea-rose scent with myrrh notes. The bush is robust and healthy, showing high disease resistance, and it blooms repeatedly in flushes - making it a delightful, fragrant addition to any garden.

FLOWERING

This rose variety ‘Mary Magdalene’ has a recurrent flowering habit. Blooms in flushes with breaks from summer until frosts, especially when regularly deadheaded. The number of blooms per plant during the growing season is profuse, but there are too many to count.

The rose variety ‘Mary Magdalene’ has very full, old-fashioned blooms that are are slightly less than medium sized, of about 9 cm (3.5″) in diameter, packed with 100+ petals in a neatly quartered rosette shape. The ovoid buds are soft pink, opening first to shallow cups and eventually silky petals reflexing to reveal a classic button eye in the center. The petals are small at the centre, gradually becoming larger towards the outer edges.

The coloring is a delicate apricot-pink blush, often deepest at the petal bases and center. In cooler weather the blossoms show a richer peachy-pink tone, while in heat or strong sun they may pale to a light seashell pink on the outer petals. Despite the light colours, the blooms never become purely white, retaining a gentle warm blush even at their palest. The flowers are usually borne solitary or in small clusters of up to 5 - 7 blooms together, they are evenly spaced allowing each bloom to display its perfect form.

The fragrance is notably complex, lovely, with a Tea rose character and with a sweet hint of myrrh. Some noses even discern a fruity undertone. The scent intensifies in cool, damp weather and in alkaline soils - a curious observation that this rose’s best fragrance emerges when the soil pH is slightly higher. For fullest enjoyment, plant it where its perfume can be easily savored - near a bench or pathway.

Each bloom can last several days on the bush, holding its cupped form well in mild weather. While not bred as a cutting rose, it performs decently in arrangements - the key is to cut stems early in the day just as the outer petals unfurl, which gives about 3 - 5 days of vase life.

PLANT

Rose variety ‘Mary Magdalene’ is classified as a Shrub rose and is part of David Austin’s English Shrub Roses collection. It grows as a short, bushy plant, typically around 90 cm tall and wide (approximately 3 ft × 3 ft) in average gardens. In ideal conditions it may reach up to 120 cm (4 ft) in height, but it generally maintains a tidy, rounded habit with low, arching branches and typical Old Rose foliage.

The canes are numerous and slender, creating a dense, twiggy framework - and they are very prickly (densely armed with thorns). New shoots have a reddish tinge that matures to green; the foliage is matte medium-green, with a soft texture that complements the delicate blooms. Leaves are pinnate with about 5 leaflets, and while not overly large, they form an attractive background for its tender flowers.

In the landscape, ‘Mary Magdalene’ is versatile. Its compact, bushy habit makes it ideal for the front or mid-front of mixed borders. The soft pink blooms combine beautifully with lavender or catmint edging (the purples highlight its blush tones) and with silver-foliage plants like artemisia or lamb’s ear. It also pairs well with companion plants such as pale blue nepeta, white campanulas, or pastel peonies, creating a romantic cottage-garden effect. The rose’s roughly 90 cm stature means it won’t overwhelm smaller perennials and can even be used as a low hedge or bedding rose in formal designs. It is excellent in fragrant gardens - consider planting near walkways or patios where its perfume can be enjoyed. Additionally, it can be grown in a large container due to its moderate size, provided the pot is at least 45 cm (18″) deep and wide, with good drainage. In the cut flower garden, ‘Mary Magdalene’ holds its own: the stems are shorter but can be gathered for sweetly scented bouquets (some growers list it specifically as suitable for cutting gardens). Whether as a specimen shrub, in groups for mass display, or as part of a mixed border, this rose shines as a healthy, floriferous shrub with old-fashioned charm. Basic care - sun, water, annual pruning - is all it needs to reward gardeners with profuse blooms and an enchanting scent.

One of this rose’s strengths is its health. Bred in the 1990s, it was noted for high disease resistance - a trait that was confirmed in various gardens. The foliage shows good resistance to blackspot and rust, especially if planted in full sun with good air circulation. Powdery mildew is rarely seen unless the plant is stressed. For best results, provide morning sun to dry the leaves, and a site with at least 5–6 hours of direct light. Interestingly, partial afternoon shade can preserve the bloom color in hot climates, preventing the petals from bleaching out too quickly.

Pruning is straightforward: as an English Shrub rose, it flowers on new wood, so an annual late-winter or early-spring pruning is beneficial. One should remove any dead or weak wood and lightly shape the bush, cutting back by about one-third to one-half to encourage vigorous new shoots. This rose’s compact size means it doesn’t require heavy hard pruning; indeed, some gardeners simply trim it to maintain the mounded shape. Throughout the season, deadheading spent blooms will keep it tidy and promote continuous flowering.

Rose variety ‘Mary Magdalene’ is recommended for growing in climate conditions similar to USDA 6 and requires winter protection in more colder climates. This roughly corresponds to RHS Hardiness H6, meaning it can survive typical UK winters and those of similar temperate regions. In very cold zone 5 areas, winter mulching and protection of the graft are recommended, but in most climates it overwinters well.

The name ‘Mary Magdalene’ was chosen by David Austin in reference to the Church of St. Mary Magdalene in Albrighton, the village where his nursery is located. This local parish church, bearing the name of the Biblical figure Mary Magdalene, provided a meaningful connection to the rose. It is worth noting that the name was not intended to directly personify the Biblical Mary Magdalene herself, but rather to honor the historic church.

English Shrub Roses

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

The rose variety ‘Ausjolly’ / 'Mary Magdalene’ was bred by David C. H. Austin of David Austin Roses in Albrighton, England by crossing two unnamed and unpatented rose seedlings of class Rosa hybrida.

USDA 6