Rose Moonbeam

A poetic addition to the garden, ‘Moonbeam’ is one of David Austin’s most ethereal introductions. It departs from the voluptuous fullness of classic English Roses and instead celebrates a more restrained, semi-double grace evocative of ancient garden forms. It harks back to the semi-double and single-flowered roses of the past, including Alba and Musk hybrids, and holds a quiet historical charm. For those seeking a pale, light-filled rose with soft lines and a tender presence, offers a delicate, luminous alternative.

FLOWERING

‘Moonbeam’ produces a profusion of semi-double blooms that open from elegantly pointed, peach-apricot buds into expanded, large flowers of about 8 - 12 cm (4 - 5 inch) in diameter. The bloom form is loose and relaxed, neither rosette nor formal cup, almost flat, but somewhere between, resembling the simpler beauty of species and early hybrid roses.

Each bloom is a glowing mother-of-pearl white, touched with the gentlest apricot or peach blush near the center, especially noticeable in early stages. As the golden stamens begin to brown, the petals gradually fade to a ghostly, soft white, giving the plant a diaphanous, ever-changing quality.

Blooms are borne in clusters of 5 - 7 on long, slender stems and are produced with remarkable freedom, especially in warmer zones. Flowering begins early in the season and continues in flushes until frost, making ‘Moonbeam’ a reliable performer with recurrent blooming.

Though not a showy rose in the traditional sense, its understated luminosity makes it a prized companion in mixed borders, particularly in shadier parts of the garden, where the blooms seem to glow with an inner light.

The aroma of ‘Moonbeam’ is soft yet perceptible, a gentle musk with faint hints of sweetness, reminiscent of Old roses and wildflowers. It is not overpowering, but adds a subtle atmosphere, especially in the early morning or dusk.

PLANT

‘Moonbeam’ is classified as a Shrub rose and is part of David Austin’s English Shrub Roses collection. Forms a medium-sized, upright shrub with a slightly arching habit. In warm climates, it can reach 150 cm (5 feet) in height and width, though it tends to be more compact in cooler regions, around 120 cm (3.5 - 4 feet) tall. Mature and well-established plants have typically 125 - 150 cm (4 to 5 ft) in height and about 110 - 150 cm (3.5 to 5 ft) in width.

The foliage is particularly attractive: gray-green to pale green, often with a soft matte texture and reddish edging on new growth. Leaves are arranged in a graceful, balanced fashion, supporting the airy aesthetic of the entire plant. The number of leaflets on normal mid-stem leaves varies from 5 and occasionally to 7, including the terminal leaflet. The foliage is medium sized.

Prickles are present but generally fine and sparse, they are green with red tips. The shrub is densely branched yet never unruly, making it a good candidate for light training, self-pegging, or informal hedging.

The rose variety ‘Moonbeam’ is perfect for illuminating partially shaded garden corners. It combines well with ornamental grasses, soft perennials, and wild-style roses and is ideal alongside pale pinks, lilacs, and creamy whites. The long stems and muted tones make it an elegant addition to the flower arrangements.

‘Moonbeam’ exhibits moderate resistance to disease, but may show some susceptibility to mildew or blackspot, particularly in cool or humid climates. Good air circulation and preventive care (e.g., organic sprays or companion planting) will help maintain health.

Despite these challenges, in drier, temperate, or Mediterranean regions, ‘Moonbeam’ remains remarkably reliable and is rarely without flowers. Rose variety is recommended for growing in climate conditions similar to USDA 6 and requires winter protection in more colder climates.

Unfortunately we do not have information about the origin of the name of this rose.

English Shrub Roses

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

Rose variety ‘Ausbeam’ / 'Moonbeam' is bred by David Austin and introduced in 1983, and stands apart from his more flamboyant creations, but the parentage of this rose was not disclosed.

USDA 6