Rose Mrs Doreen Pike

‘Mrs Doreen Pike’ is one of the more unusual and quietly distinguished roses associated with David Austin’s early work: a compact pink shrub with the floral fullness and perfume of an Old rose, yet carrying clear Hybrid Rugosa genes. Although Austin has marketed it as an English Shrub Rose, standard registration and specialist rose references also place it among the Hybrid Rugosas, and that double identity explains much of its appeal. Its flowers are medium-sized, very full rosettes in shades of medium to deep pink, set against notably small, pale green foliage on a neat, bushy shrub. For gardeners in temperate and colder climates it offers an especially attractive combination of fragrance, manageable scale, and useful hardiness. For collectors, it also remains an important rose historically, because it shows Austin experimenting beyond the mainstream English Rose look and into Rugosa lineage.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

In horticultural identity, ‘Mrs Doreen Pike’ sits at a fascinating crossroads. Austin’s current and historical catalogues present it as an English Shrub Rose, but major reference sources also classify it more specifically as a Hybrid Rugosa shrub, which is botanically the more revealing description. It is therefore best understood not as a typical mid-period English rose, but as a Rugosa-based Austin shrub whose flowers have been pulled strongly toward the Old rose rosette ideal.

What distinguishes the cultivar is not flamboyant novelty, but proportion and character. Austin’s own description stresses the way the flowers visually mingle with the small, pale green leaves, and that is a perceptive observation: the rose has a subdued, integrated beauty, less theatrical than many later Austins, and more shrub-like in the best sense. This makes it particularly valuable in mixed borders, low hedging, and small gardens where a rose must harmonize with companions rather than overwhelm them. Its significance today lies partly in that restraint, and partly in the fact that it offers a persuasive union of Old rose flower form, Rugosa constitution, and compact habit.

FLOWERING

In flowering behavior, ‘Mrs Doreen Pike’ is a recurrently flowering shrub whose exact rhythm depends noticeably on climate and season length. It is very free-flowering and repeating very well, it blooms in flushes from late spring into early winter. But in colder climates it provides main summer flowering with only occasional autumn repeat. A plant grown in good light, with spent flowers removed and enough summer warmth to mature growth, should give more than a single display; a plant grown in a short or cold season may offer a magnificent first flush and only a brief reprise. The shrub can produce so many thin flowering shoots that selective thinning at pruning time may improve bloom quality.

Flower bud:

The flower buds of rose ‘Mrs Doreen Pike’ are rather small to medium sized, rounded to ovoid in shape, and have medium to deep pink colour before the petals fully open, sometimes the very outer guard petals reveal creamy tones in certain weather. Buds are borne singly or in small clusters, often three to five on a flowering stem, and they open steadily into cupped blooms that later quickly changes to a rosette form.

Bloom:

At its best, the blooms of ‘Mrs Doreen Pike’ are absolutely stunning. The flowers are medium to large sized, typically around 6 - 9 cm (2.4 - 3.5 in) in diameter, which agrees well with Austin’s “medium” category, and under favorable conditions the flowers of this rose can be larger, of about 10 cm (4 in). The flowers of this rose are full to very full, cupped upon opening and later form lush quartered rosette when fully open, almost flat. The bloom often begins as a cupped and broadens into a flatter, more open rosette, sometimes with a small central eye or displaying some stamens as it ages. The colour of the flowers is generally medium pink to deep pink, occasionally warm pink, and may soften outward toward paler guard petals as the flower matures.

The overall floral effect is very much that of a refined Rugosa Hybrid. They are rather oOld fashioned but keep Rugosa's vigor and character. Their particular beauty lies in the contrast between a highly petalled flower and a comparatively modest, bushy plant: the result is intimate and garden-friendly rather than grandiose. They are also suitable as a cut flower, given their well-formed rosette shape, though it is best regarded principally as a garden rose.

Petals:

The flowers are full, the petal counts vary, but the number of petals is usually 41 and more. The outer petals are broader, quieter, and more guard-like, cupping the bloom in its earlier stages, while the inner petals are increasingly numerous, shorter, and more intricately folded, lending the center its rosette or quartered effect. Margins are not sharply serrated or formal - they appear softly waved or lightly frilled, contributing to the Old rose softness of the flower.

The texture of the petals are soft with enough substance to hold form pleasantly in cool or temperate weather, but not the leathery stiffness of many modern exhibition roses. As the bloom ages, it typically loosens and flattens, and the pink often softens slightly, especially on the outer petals. The flower holds its shape reasonably well and may be suitable for cutting. That seems consistent with the cultivar’s orderly, very full structure, though bloom life will naturally be shorter in high heat or rain-heavy weather.

Fragrance:

Fragrance is lovely, strong, of an Old Rose character, the intensity of its aroma may range from moderate to strong depending on climate, plant maturity, and the observer.

Reproductive parts:

Sometimes, the bloom may show a central “eye” of yellow stamens as the flower opens into a flatter rosette, but typically reproductive parts are not entirely concealed. Hips if formed are scarce and this separates the rose from many Rugosas that are grown almost as much for autumn fruit as for flowers. ‘Mrs Doreen Pike’ should be regarded as primarily ornamental for bloom and shrub habit rather than for fruit display.

PLANT

As a plant, ‘Mrs Doreen Pike’ is classified as a Shrub rose and is part of David Austin’s English Shrub Roses collection, but is best regarded as a compact shrub rose with strong Hybrid Rugosa inheritance and English Rose styling. The plant combines the refined rosette bloom and Old rose scent associated with English shrub roses with the denser habit, tougher constitution, and foliage character of Rugosa ancestry. The growth habit is dense, compact, and bushy, often low and slightly dome-shaped, though it is quite upright. The established and mature plants of this rose typically grow up to 80 - 100 cm (2.9 - 3.3 ft) tall, sometimes up to 120 cm (4 ft), and roughly are about 90 - 120 cm (3 - 4 ft) wide.

Its heritage gives rose ‘Mrs Doreen Pike’ unusual versatility. It is not a large back-of-border shrub, but rather a rose for the front or middle of a mixed border, a fragrant low hedge, a collector’s bed, or a small specimen where flower form can be appreciated at close range. It is highly recommended for mixed borders, hedges, partial shade, and even wilder plantings, large beds, or even for cut-flower use and specimen planting. It may also suit large containers where winters are cold but drainage is excellent, though in the open ground it will usually make the best shrub. Site it in full sun wherever possible, because Rugosa-type health and repeat flowering are generally best in sun and moving air, but some tolerance of partial shade is clearly accepted.

In cultivation, the rose appears less fastidious than many classic English roses, but it should not be treated as indestructible. It is suitable for all soil types, and the broader Rugosa background supports a degree of tolerance for poorer soils, drought, and exposure once the plant is established. Even so, the best performance should be expected in a reasonably fertile, well-drained soil rather than in chronically dry sand or waterlogged clay. Avoid wet feet, mulch to conserve even moisture, and water at the base rather than overhead. In colder climates, own-root plants are especially worth considering because own-root roses regenerate true to type after winter injury and often recover with greater resilience.

Pruning should be thoughtful rather than severe. Austin’s own advice is particularly valuable: thin out some of the finer flowering shoots if bloom quality is becoming too small or too congested. It is recommended to reduce the shrub by about half, but that should be interpreted within the habit of a compact shrub rather than as a hard Hybrid Tea cut-back. The general Rugosa guidance supports light to moderate formative pruning, removal of dead, damaged, and congested wood, and the occasional removal of one or two older stems at the base if the center becomes crowded. The gardeners should prune this rose in late winter or very early spring, assess winter dieback first in cold districts, and retain enough mature framework to preserve the shrub’s natural shape and nice flowering.

Foliage:

The foliage of ‘Mrs Doreen Pike’ is one of the plant’s most recognizable features which contributes strongly to its identity and visually separates it from most of the English roses. The foliage is generally small, light green in colour, moderately glossy, somewhat leathery and has a very distinct ‘rugose’ texture. This combination of light color, moderate gloss, and compact scale gives the shrub a softer and somewhat brighter look than the darker, coarser foliage of many Rugosas. Ornamentally, it matters because the flowers do not simply sit above the plant: they seem woven into it.

Leaflets:

As a rugosa hybrid, however, the plant clearly follows the compound, odd-pinnate pattern of the group, with the rugosa tendency having relatively small leaflets. The ordinary leaves in the middle of the stems have variable number of leaflet, from 5 to 9 leaflets, elliptic to obovate in shape, with serrated margins, marked venation, and demonstrate clearly rugosity or wrinkling; ‘Mrs Doreen Pike’ appears to retain those essential rugosa features, though in a somewhat neater and less coarse form.

Wood:

The wood and branching pattern is dense, self-supporting, neat, bushy, low, or dome-shaped. It can also sucker well on its own roots. Rose builds a close framework of canes and laterals, which are useful in edging, hedging, or repeat-flowering shrub composition.

Prickles:

Although the rose is very well armed with prickles, it is not as brutally armed by Rugosa standards and are more manageable than pure or heavily armed Rugosa hybrids. The prickles are medium green when young and are grey when they mature, straight in shape. The plants are stout and functional enough to discourage close passage in a hedge, while still allowing the rose to be handled in mixed borders without the sheer ferocity of the roughest Rugosas. Gloves are still advisable, especially when pruning among dense laterals.

Small prickles:

Smaller prickles are also inherent in this variety, taking into account its Rugose heritage. Small prickles do not differ much from large ones, only in size.

Disease resistance and stress tolerance:

Rose variety ‘Mrs Doreen Pike’ has exceptionally good resistance to black spot (Diplocarpon rosae). The resistance to all other common resistance is good, in a wide range of climates it is resistant to powdery mildew, rust and botrytis.

Due to its Rugosa ancestry it has reasonably good tolerance to unfavourable conditions and to environmental stress like wind, drought, poor soils, salt exposure, and general climatic stress. ‘Mrs Doreen Pike’ carries more tolerance of poor soils, coastal exposure, and winter cold than the average English rose, but as a refined hybrid it should not be treated as equivalent to a wild-type Rugosa in absolute ruggedness. Good sun, air circulation, sanitation, and avoidance of waterlogged sites still matter.

The winter hardiness is good, it is recommended for growing in climates similar to USDA zones 5b–9b. ‘Mrs Doreen Pike’ is hardier than many mainstream English shrub roses and is well worth trial in cold-temperate gardens, particularly on its own roots and where canes ripen well before winter. At the warm end, like USDA zone 9 it can be grown, although flowering quality and disease is slightly worse.

Rose variety 'Mrs Doreen Pike' was named after Doreen, who managed the nursery offices for many years, as a mark of recognition for her contribution to the business. The market name ‘Mrs Doreen Pike’ is therefore commemorative and personal in the traditional rose-breeding sense.

No verified major awards, trial certificates, or named honors were located in the accessible authoritative sources, and it does not appear on the current RHS Award of Garden Merit ornamental list.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

Rose variety ‘Ausdor’ / 'Mrs Doreen Pike' originated by David Austin by crossing the seed parent, Canadian shrub rose variety ‘Martin Frobisher’ with the pollen parent, great historic Rugosa Hybrid rose variety ‘Roseraie de l’Haÿ’.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

Within David Austin’s hybridization history ‘Ausdor’ / 'Mrs Doreen Pike' occupies an unusual and important side branch. It clearly shares the Austin aim of old-rose beauty and scent, but it comes to that goal through Rugosa appearance, not only through the Old rose and modern shrub lines more commonly associated with the English shrub rose mainstream. Its parentage draws on ‘Martin Frobisher’, the first Explorer rose and a hardy shrub of Alba-like softness, and on ‘Roseraie de l’Haÿ’, one of the great fragrant Hybrid Rugosas of historic rose breeding. The result is neither merely a rugosa in English dress nor simply an English rose made tougher; it is a convincing synthesis with its own horticultural personality. Austin seems to have returned to this territory occasionally rather than constantly, as seen also in other Hybrid Rugosa-associated roses such as ‘Snowdon’, and later in the more openly semi-double, wilder-looking ‘Wild Edric’. ‘Mrs Doreen Pike’ thus stands as one of the clearest early examples of Austin exploring how far Rugosa constitution could be brought into refined Shrub rose form without losing charm.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

‘Ausdor’ / 'Mrs Doreen Pike' is a compact, fragrant, historically significant shrub rose whose greatest virtue lies in balance. It offers the Old rose rosette and perfume that Austin prized, but on a plant shaped by rugosa lineage into something tidier, tougher, and more adaptable to colder gardens than many English shrubs of comparable beauty. Its flowers are not the largest in the Austin canon, and its habit is not the grandest, yet that very moderation is part of its lasting worth: it is a collector’s rose that also makes practical sense for ordinary garden spaces. Where well grown, it forms a neat, floriferous, pale-leaved mound clothed in richly petalled pink bloom; where winters are hard, it offers a degree of reassurance not always found in classic English roses; and where fragrance matters, it remains deeply rewarding. The rose variety incorporated the following unique combination of characteristics:

  a compact, bushy shrub;

  very full, rosette-shaped blooms in medium to deep pink;

  small, pale green, glossy to semi-glossy foliage of Rugosa character;

  classic Old rose fragrance with recurrent blooming in suitable climates;

  documented black spot resistance together with useful cold-climate adaptability;

The propagation methods suitable for the rose cultivar ‘Mrs Doreen Pike’ include the propagation by budding or grafting onto a suitable rootstock; the propagation with vegetative cuttings is appropriate; own-root production is especially attractive for cold-climate gardeners because recovery after winter injury remains true to cultivar.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTS

Compared with the seed parent ‘Martin Frobisher’, rose ‘Ausdor’ / 'Mrs Doreen Pike' is usually shorter, denser, and more compact, with smaller, paler foliage rather than the taller, softer, grey-green, alba-like aspect for which ‘Martin Frobisher’ is known. Its flowers are also generally a deeper pink and more emphatically Old-fashioned and rosette shaped, whereas ‘Martin Frobisher’ tends toward lighter pink, larger blooms, and a taller shrub outline.

Compared with pollen parent ‘Roseraie de l’Haÿ’, however, ‘Ausdor’ / 'Mrs Doreen Pike' is much smaller and more domesticated in scale, with softer pink coloring rather than bright magenta-crimson, and with a fuller Austin-style rosette shape of the flatter, more openly staminate Rugosa bloom. In habit and flower effect alike, it moderates the size, force, and overt rugosa character of ‘Roseraie de l’Haÿ’ while retaining a measure of Rugosa toughness and fragrance. It may be more refined than the French Hybrid Rugosa parent, more compact and warmer in pink than the Canadian seed parent, and more unmistakably Austin in floral expression than either.

COMPARISON WITH THE CLOSEST COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE CULTIVAR

Among roses still meaningful in specialist commerce, ‘Martin Frobisher’ is probably the closest practical comparator, even though it is one of the parents, because it shares the same broad shrubby hardiness, recurrent tendency, and Old fashioned pink double flower. Yet the differences are substantial in the garden. ‘Martin Frobisher’ is generally the taller and more upright shrub, with light pink flowers and attractive grey-green foliage that can evoke an Alba more than a Rugosa. ‘Mrs Doreen Pike’, by contrast, is markedly shorter and denser, forming a more compact mound with smaller pale green leaves and blooms of a warmer, deeper medium pink. The flowers of ‘Mrs Doreen Pike’ are also usually tighter and more rosette-shaped in effect, making it better suited to the front of a border, a low hedge, or a smaller enclosed planting.

USDA 5

USDA Zone 5 - hardiness guide