Rose Queen Anne

'Queen Anne' is a refined rose whose particular charm lies in the combination of clear rose-pink colouring, full Old Rose form, graceful flower posture, and a notably few prickles. Its medium-sized flowers are richer pink toward the centre and only slightly paler outside, creating depth without the bright bicolour effect seen in many modern pink roses. The fragrance is one of its most individual qualities, beginning with a fresh, sweet pear-drop character and developing as the flower matures into a traditional Old Rose perfume. The plant is upright yet sufficiently branched to remain informal, and its relatively sparse prickles make placement beside paths more comfortable than with many English shrub roses.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The importance of rose variety 'Queen Anne' is less that it introduced a radically new colour or flower form than that it expresses, with unusual purity, one of the fundamental ideals of English Rose breeding: the soft, densely petalled, painterly character associated with historic roses placed on a plant capable of flowering repeatedly through the growing season. At introduction, David C. H. Austin specifically associated the flowers of the 'Queen Anne' with the character of Bourbon and Centifolia roses. The resemblance lies in its compactly crowded petals, rounded flower silhouette, gentle irregularity and old-fashioned pink tonality. Unlike the majority of true Centifolias, however, 'Queen Anne' repeats throughout the season and grows as a manageable modern shrub. It therefore works well both in traditionally composed rose beds and in mixed borders where a looser historic-looking flower is preferred.

FLOWERING

Rose 'Queen Anne' is reliably repeat flowering, blooming in successive flushes from late spring through to early winter. In a temperate climate that means it will produce a substantial first flowering, then will follow a period of vegetative renewal, and subsequent flushes of buds and flowers that continue into autumn where temperature, light, moisture and nutrition remain favourable. Its floral display is based on the cumulative effect of numerous richly petalled blossoms held on an upright, branching shrub in medium sized clusters. Deadheading after each flush generally improves the speed and neatness of repeat, although occasional spent blooms may be left late in the season if hips are desired for observation rather than continued flowering.

Flower bud:

The bud shape in the longitudinal section is ovate. Developing buds are enclosed by medium green sepals strongly suffused with red and open progressively. Young petal colour becomes evident relatively early, often giving the closed or partly opened bud a stronger pink impression than the mature outer flower. The buds borne above the foliage on moderately slender flowering stems, contributing to the airy presentation of the flowers. There are 3 normally appendaged sepals and 2 unappendaged sepals with grayish hairsuite edges. The receptacle is medium sized, rounded and has medium green colour and smooth surface. The peduncle is long, stiff and strong, has medium green colour and few reddish small prickles and stipular glands.

The bud opening is gradual. The first petals form a rounded, cupped bloom; as the outer petals relax, the interior reveals a mass of shorter, more intricately arranged petals. The flower does not pass through a formal exhibition-rose stage but appears recognizably "old fashioned" almost from the beginning.

Bloom:

The flowers of 'Queen Anne' are medium sized in diameter and very full, with an extremely high petal count. A normal bloom of this rose typically has approximately 5 - 9 cm (2 - 3.5 in) in diameter at its prime, and under appropriate climate and agriculture they tend to be closer to a 9 cm (3.5 in) range. Exact measurements naturally vary with climate, plant age, rootstock and seasonal conditions.

The colour of the flowers is pure rose pink. The inner petals are the richest in colour, while the outermost petals are only somewhat paler, so the transition is subtle and gives the bloom luminosity rather than a sharply contrasting rim. In cool weather the colour can appear deeper and cleaner; some growers note that aging petals may acquire a faint lavender-pink tone as they fade. Official distinctness testing recorded the main upper-surface colour as light blue-pink (RHS group 73C) and the contrasting reverse as pinkish white (near group N155B), the outer and reverse surfaces can be notably paler than the flower's center.

Form changes attractively with age. The opening bloom is cupped and rounded; when fully opened it becomes a densely petalled, shallowly cupped to rosette, sometimes with a slightly informal button-eye in the centre. The overall outline is mostly circular and the petals as obovate, with virtually no marginal reflexing and very little waviness. This relative smoothness of the individual petals allows the complexity to come primarily from their number and arrangement.

The flowers may be produced singly or in small clusters, about 3 to 5 blooms together on a flowering stem, but the overall appearance remains that of a shrub rose. Their upright presentation makes them visible within a mixed border, while the relatively moderate flower size prevents the plant from becoming visually top-heavy.

Petals:

The petal count is high, the flowers of this rose typically have over 100 petals, accordingly, the flowers should properly be described as very full. The individual petal shape is predominantly obovate. Their margins show little to no reflexing and little or no undulation, although irregular folding and overlapping within the densely packed centre, sometimes with petaloids forming a button-eye, produce the charming Old rose appearance.

The texture of the petals is soft and smooth, satiny, and the petals gradually relax outward as the bloom matures. The outermost petals lose colour first, while the centre retains rose pink for longer. Under cool conditions this creates a particularly attractive tonal graduation. In strong heat the petals may open and age more rapidly, and the cultivar itself is less comfortable under sustained hot, lowland conditions than under the temperate conditions in which it was selected. Petal longevity should therefore be regarded as moderate to short, and climate-dependent.

Fragrance:

The fragrance of 'Queen Anne' is medium and has a prominent Old rose character. Newly opened flowers may possess a sweet fruity note reminiscent of pear drops or pear confectionery; as the flower ages this becomes less overtly fruity and develops into pure Old rose perfume. Strength of the aroma can vary with temperature, humidity and time of day. It is well perceptible at close range and worthwhile for cutting, yet it should not be expected to perfume a large garden from a distance as consistently as the strongest Damask-scented cultivars.

Reproductive parts:

In very full flowers of 'Queen Anne' the reproductive organs are largely concealed by the numerous petals until the bloom is fully open. Hips may occur if flowers are left un-deadheaded and pollination is successful, as in many fertile modern shrub roses, but 'Queen Anne' is principally selected and grown for its flowers and its fruits does not have significant ornamental features.

PLANT

'Queen Anne' belongs horticulturally to the modern Shrub class and, more specifically, to David Austin's English Shrub Roses. A well-established plant of this rose is forming medium sized plants. The mature plant of this rose normally grows to about 125 - 150cm (4 - 5 ft) in height and of about 90 - 125 cm (3 - 4 ft) in width, whereas the size of the mature plants highly depend on climate, soil, pruning and rootstock.

The growth character is upright but not narrowly columnar. Strong basal and framework shoots rise comparatively directly, then produce enough laterals to create a bushy outline. This makes the rose valuable where an English Rose is wanted without the strongly lax or arching habit shown by some cultivars. In a formal rose bed it forms a tidy vertical mass; in a cottage border the same structure enables the flowers to rise through lower perennials. It is also suitable for a substantial container, provided root volume, watering and feeding are adequate.

In cultivation, a position with good light and freely moving air is ideal. Full sun produces the strongest flowering in cool and temperate climates, although this rose can tolerate partial shade. In hotter continental or East Asian climates, protection from the fiercest afternoon sun will be beneficial. Soil should preferably be fertile, humus-rich and moisture-retentive while still well drained.

In terms of pruning it should be pruned as a regular repeat-flowering English shrub rose: in late winter, remove dead, damaged, weak and crossing material, retain a balanced framework, and shorten the previous season's growth by roughly one-third to one-half according to vigour and desired size. Reducing the previous year’s growth by approximately 30–50%, shortening strong side shoots and periodically removing an older stem near the base to stimulate renewal should be enough. Summer deadheading encourages later flushes. Excessively severe annual cutting can sacrifice the natural shrub character for which the cultivar was selected.

Foliage:

The foliage provides a relatively quiet background for the flowers. The quantity of the foliage on the plants of this rose is normal. The leaves are rather large, somewhat light to medium green, with weak surface gloss. Anthocyanin pigmentation is present, especially in developing growth, while young shoots themselves show slight anthocyanin colouring. This subdued, comparatively matt leaf surface contributes to the cultivar's Old rose impression and contrasts with the thick, highly lacquered foliage of many modern landscape roses.

Leaflets:

The normal leaves in the middle of the flowering stems typically have 5 to 7 leaflets, including the terminal leaflet. The terminal leaflet has an ovate shape with an acute apex and rounded shape. The surface is only slightly glossy, venation is pinnate and margins are serrated, the type of serration is single and large.

Wood:

The plants of the 'Queen Anne' are upright and bushy, developing from basal shoots and progressively branching into flowering laterals. Young stems may show a weak reddish or anthocyanin blush before maturing toward green and eventually more woody brown tones; the bark is smooth, with some rough patches. The basal shoots can carry flowers upright, while still relatively young and may bend under the weight of the blooms; pinching or encouraging lateral branching is recommended to produce a more balanced shrub. Such treatment is more relevant in warmer climates where long, soft basal shoots are produced than in cooler regions where growth is naturally shorter.

Prickles:

Rose 'Queen Anne' has comparatively fewer prickliness, making it relatively pleasant to prune and useful near access routes. The young prickles have purple colour and slightly hooked downward shape. Mature plants still require gloves during pruning, but their armature is generally less obtrusive than on many old shrubs and some other English roses.

Small prickles:

There are no small prickles observed on the main canes from the base as well as on the laterals from the main canes of the rose variety 'Queen Anne' under normal growing conditions.

Disease resistance and stress tolerance:

'Queen Anne' is generally considered as a healthy, easy-to-grow shrub rose, suitable even for comparatively inexperienced gardeners. However, like other shrub roses, it may be affected by black spot, powdery mildew and rust as well as dieback and other common rose pathogens under disease prone conditions, but it is not suitable for a modern no-spray garden. Black spot is most likely to become troublesome where foliage remains damp for long periods, air circulation is poor or fallen infected leaves accumulate beneath the plant. Powdery mildew may appear under alternating dry-root conditions and humid air, while rust is possible where climatic conditions favor it. Good spacing, watering at soil level, removal of heavily infected fallen foliage and preservation of balanced growth are therefore sensible preventive measures.

Cold tolerance is comparatively good. The RHS assigns 'Queen Anne' hardiness rating H6, corresponding to approximately −20 to −15 °C (−4 to 5 °F) and indicating suitability for the whole of the United Kingdom and much of northern Europe. This is translated to approximately USDA zone 6. In climates with winters approaching the lower limits of zone 6, planting the graft union deeply, mulching after the ground begins to cool and avoiding exposed frost pockets are prudent.

Heat tolerance deserves more caution: reduced vigor, distorted growth or premature loss of lower foliage during hot summers is observed in such climates, and in such climates morning sun with some protection later in the day are highly advisable for this rose. This does not mean the cultivar cannot grow in warm climates, but it suggests that its best foliage quality and flowering are achieved under temperate rather than extreme summer conditions. Once established, the shrub tolerates ordinary short periods of summer dryness better than a newly planted rose, but sustained drought will reduce repeat flowering and may predispose the plant to stress.

The name 'Queen Anne' was chosen specifically to commemorate the tercentenary of Ascot Racecourse. Queen Anne founded Ascot in 1711 after recognizing the suitability of the heath near Windsor for horse racing; the rose was released in 2011, three hundred years later. Ascot's contemporary account states that the cultivar was named in honour of its royal founder and was unveiled at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show during the tercentenary celebrations. Roses were also planted at Ascot itself and were in flower for Royal Ascot that year.

The form "The Queen Anne" occasionally encountered in informal catalog or conversational usage does not appear to be an independently registered synonym and should not be treated as a separate cultivar.

No cultivar-specific major international award, trial certificate or medal for 'Queen Anne' could be confirmed in the authoritative and specialist records examined.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

Rose variety 'Austruck' / 'Queen Anne' originated by David Austin within his breeding programme at Albrighton in Shropshire, England. The precise parentage for this rose was never disclosed and referred simply as a result of crossing of the two unnamed rose seedlings.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

'Austruck' / 'Queen Anne' is an especially clear expression of the Old rose side of the English roses synthesis. When introduced, Austin compared its flower character with the Bourbon and Centifolia roses. Centifolias are celebrated for very full, rounded, densely arranged flowers, while Bourbons occupy an important historical position between once-flowering European Old Roses and later repeat flowering garden roses. 'Queen Anne' evokes that visual language without being classified botanically or genealogically as either a Centifolia or a Bourbon. It appeared in the same period as several other strongly individual Austin introductions, yet its character is notably restrained. Its qualities are expressed with a flower proportion, purity of pink, fragrance, repeated flowering and an upright but natural shrub. For gardeners who value the appearance of an Old rose but need a repeat flowering plant of moderate dimensions, these qualities remain relevant.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

Medium-sized repeat-flowering English shrub rose 'Austruck' / 'Queen Anne' combines very full Old rose form with clear, almost archetypal rose-pink colour and a useful upright garden habit. This rose variety incorporated the following unique combination of characteristics:

  Very full, medium-sized flowers of pure rose pink, with only a gentle paling of the outer petals;

  rounded, Bourbon- and Centifolia-like Old rose flower character combined with reliable seasonal repeat flowering;

  a distinctive fragrance developing from sweet pear-drop notes into a traditional Old Rose scent;

  an upright yet bushy medium shrub suitable for formal beds, mixed borders and substantial containers;

  fewer prickles compared to many shrub roses.

Vegetative propagation is suitable and is necessary to preserve the cultivar true to type. The RHS recommends semi-ripe cuttings in late summer, hardwood cuttings in autumn, or T-budding in summer for shrub roses including 'Queen Anne'; commercial David Austin roses have traditionally been propagated principally by budding. Where plant breeders’ rights remain in force, commercial propagation is subject to the applicable legislation and licence requirements.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTS

Precise seed and pollen parents for 'Austruck' / 'Queen Anne' were not disclosed; therefore, a formal parent-by-parent comparison cannot be made reliably.

COMPARISON WITH THE CLOSEST COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE CULTIVAR

The most useful formal comparison can be made with English shrub rose 'Wisley 2008', because it was explicitly used as a comparator during official distinctness testing of 'Austruck' / 'Queen Anne'. They can be distinguished in part by the acute apex of the terminal leaflet of 'Wisley 2008' and by its main purplish light pink petal colour, recorded as RHS group 73C. 'Wisley 2008' is also a repeat-flowering pink English shrub with very full, rosette flowers, but its blooms are substantially paler, often fading almost white around the edges, and its scent is is light and fruity rather than the pear-drop to Old rose fragrance of 'Queen Anne'.

Among currently commercial English shrub roses, also 'Harlow Carr' provides a particularly useful garden comparison because both cultivars are medium pink, strongly evocative of Old Roses, repeat flower freely and form bushy shrubs with an upright component. 'Harlow Carr', however, produces shallower cups of exceptionally even mid pink and is distinguished by a stronger, purer Old Rose perfume. Its flowering tends to clothe the shrub very densely and extend almost to ground level, producing an especially floriferous landscape effect. 'Queen Anne' has a slightly more luxuriant Bourbon or Centifolia character to the individual bloom, with a richer centre, somewhat paler exterior and the distinctive initial pear-drop note in its scent.

The foliage also contributes to a different impression. 'Queen Anne' has comparatively matt, rather large foliage, whereas 'Harlow Carr' develops green foliage from bronze young growth and presents a dense, vigorous shrub. In garden composition, 'Harlow Carr' is the stronger choice where the primary objectives are masses of flowers and a pronounced traditional rose fragrance; 'Queen Anne' is particularly attractive where individual flower character, softer historical form and reduced prickleness are valued. The two occupy similar colour territory but are easily separable when flowering side by side.

USDA 6

USDA Zone 6 - hardiness guide