Rose Rose-Marie

‘Rose-Marie’ is a rare white-flowered English shrub rose with deeply cupped blossoms of pale creamy apricot at the centre before becoming predominantly white, giving the shrub a softly luminous appearance and remarkably smooth stems. It is a pale sport of the celebrated pink rose ‘Heritage’ from which it also inherited its rich Myrrh perfume. Repeat flowering, graceful growth and unusually strong fragrance make it valuable for intimate borders, cottage gardens, scented plantings and collections of historically important English Roses. Although never as widely distributed as its parent cultivar, ‘Rose-Marie’ remains one of the most interesting white mutations associated with the early generations of David Austin’s breeding programme.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

‘Rose-Marie’ possesses the clonal constitution and most of the vegetative character of the parent ‘Heritage’, differing principally in the expression of flower colour. In ‘Rose-Marie’, the mutation suppressed much of the pink pigmentation characteristic of ‘Heritage’, leaving flowers that appear white, cream or ivory, usually with a residual blush or warm tint in the inner petals. The plant’s growth, foliage, fragrance and flower architecture otherwise remain recognisably close to those of its source cultivar. Within the English Rose group, ‘Rose-Marie’ represents the older Austin ideal of an informal, fragrant shrub with flowers modelled on historic Gallica, Damask, Bourbon and Alba roses. The flowers are rounded, cupped and densely petalled, while the shrub itself is leafy, softly branching and sufficiently substantial to mingle with herbaceous perennials.

The cultivar remains relevant because it combines qualities that are not always found together: an authentic old-rose flower form, a strong and complex perfume, repeat flowering, a comparatively graceful shrub and canes carrying very few prickles. Its limited modern availability has made it primarily a collectors’ rose, but it is not merely a botanical curiosity. Properly grown, it can serve as a fragrant white focal shrub, a pale transition between stronger colours, or a softly informal specimen beside a path, terrace or seating area.

FLOWERING

Rose variety ‘Rose-Marie’ has a repeat flowering habit, producing first main flush in late spring or early summer, followed by further cycles through summer and into autumn. The first flush is generally the most abundant, particularly on established plants carrying numerous clusters. Subsequent flowers appear in smaller but recurrent flushes, and well-watered, well-fed plants may maintain scattered bloom between the flushes, the intervals can be short in favourable temperate climates. The plants of this rose variety typically do not produce the large, conspicuous clusters associated with Floribundas. Instead, it offers a succession of individual or loosely clustered blooms, each visually substantial enough to be appreciated at close range. Deadheading helps shorten the interval between flowering cycles, especially during the first half of the season.

Flower bud:

The buds are generally rounded-ovoid to short-pointed rather than narrowly elongated. Before opening, they may show pale peach, apricot-cream or shell-pink tones beneath the green calyx, particularly during cool weather. As the sepals divide, the visible petal surfaces become paler, passing through blush ivory to cream or white. This gradual loss of warmth is responsible for much of the cultivar’s charm: a single flowering branch may carry pink-tinted buds, ivory half-open flowers and almost white mature cups simultaneously. The calyx possesses the five ordinary green sepals, with the outer 3 sepals sometimes showing narrow leafy extensions. The peduncles are comparatively slender but usually adequate for the medium-sized blooms. Fully developed flowers may bend moderately after rain or when several are carried together, yet the buds themselves are normally presented attractively among the foliage.

Bloom:

The fully opened flowers of the rose variety ‘Rose-Marie’ are medium-sized, most commonly about 6 - 8 cm (2.4 - 3.1 in) in diameter, although particularly vigorous plants may occasionally produce somewhat larger blooms. They are very double, with petals counts ranging from 40 to 70 petals per flower; the differences in the quantity of the petals are related to climate, plant maturity, season and growing conditions. The flower form is deeply cupped when just opened. Broad outer guard petals construct a rounded bowl around numerous smaller inner petals, which are folded and informally arranged rosette. As the bloom matures, the cup opens into a loose rosette while retaining enough depth to cast soft shadows between the petals. The opening of the buds is progressive, the bud first forms a compact cup, then expands gradually. The innermost petals remain enclosed for some time, preserving a globular or deep-cupped outline before the flower relaxes into a broader rosette. The centre is usually concealed in a just opened flower and only rarely exposes the yellow stamens in the centre before the petals fall.

The colour is best described as white to creamy white with variable blush, shell-pink or pale apricot shading toward the centre. Sometimes more of a light apricot appears in the centre fading to white with time; sometimes more of the shell-pink is present in the central petals of the just opened flowers. These colour changes may happen due to various reasons, for example the temperature and stage of development strongly influence the visible colour. Cool opening conditions favour pink, pearl or apricot nuances, whereas warm weather produces a faster transition to ivory and white. The outer petals may be almost white from the beginning, creating a shell-like graduation around the warmer centre. As the flower ages the colour fades to nearly white. Under normal growing conditions no variegation is observed on the flowers of the ‘Rose-Marie’. Occasional flowers may contain irregularly pink petals, and a sport of this kind should always be observed for possible reversion. Such colour instability is familiar among white sports of pink roses, although generally the colour of the flowers of ‘Rose-Marie’ is relatively stable.

The flowers appear singly or in small clusters, commonly one to three per flowering stem. The result is less massive than the display of a cluster-flowered landscape rose but more graceful and individually expressive. The nearly thornless flowering branches are useful for informal cutting, although the blooms are not exceptionally long-lived in the vase. Like ‘Heritage’, they are best cut when partly open and used in loose arrangements where fragrance and form are more important than commercial vase endurance.

In persistent rain, the numerous petals can become waterlogged, spotted or slow to open, especially in cool weather. The white colouring also reveals bruising and weather damage more readily than pink. Good air circulation, morning sun and protection from prolonged overhead irrigation improve the presentation of the flowers. In hot, dry conditions, individual blooms may open and fade rapidly, but the plant compensates by repeating flowering when moisture remains available.

Petals:

The petals are soft, relatively thin and delicate; the outer petals are broad, rounded and gently incurved; the inner petals become smaller, more folded and irregularly incurved. Margins are generally smooth or lightly undulating, without the pronounced fringing. The overlapping petal arrangement gives the just opened flower a porcelain-like depth and the mature bloom a relaxed, old-fashioned fullness.

Colour changes are most apparent in the inner petals. Pale apricot, blush or shell pink is strongest as the bud opens, becoming cream and eventually white. The outer petals may fade first, creating a luminous pale rim around a warmer centre. Under intense sunlight, the transition can be rapid, while cool nights preserve the blush for longer. Petal substance is moderate to light. The flowers are therefore refined but not exceptionally weatherproof. They may shatter relatively cleanly at the end of their display rather than remaining as brown, mummified heads, although wet weather can delay this process. Individual flower longevity varies with temperature: cool conditions prolong the cupped stage, whereas heat shortens it. The plant is most effective when viewed as a repeatedly flowering shrub rather than judged by the durability of a single bloom.

Fragrance:

Fragrance is one of the principal reasons to grow ‘Rose-Marie’. It is generally strong, with a distinctive Myrrh note associated with ‘Heritage’ and with notes of honey, carnation and occasionally a soft Old Rose. The fragrance is noticeable in newly opened flowers during warm, still mornings and evenings, although intensity varies with temperature, humidity, time of day and the age of the flower. Planting this rose near a frequently used path, bench or terrace allows the perfume to be appreciated without cutting the relatively short-lived flowers.

Reproductive parts:

In just opened flowers of ‘Rose-Marie’ the reproductive parts are usually hidden by the dense inner petals. As the bloom ages, a small number of yellow stamens may occasionally become visible, but the flower is not characterised by a conspicuous central boss. Some orange fruits (rose hips) may occasionally develop closer to the autumn, but they typically do not have any ornamental value.

PLANT

Rose variety ‘Rose-Marie’ is classified horticulturally as a Shrub rose and, more specifically, it belongs to the English Shrub Rose collection created by Sir David Austin. It is a deciduous or, in very mild climates, partly semi-evergreen shrub rose. The plant is normally upright to broadly bushy, but established canes may arch under their own weight and that of the flowers. The mature and well-established plants of this rose typically reach approximately 100 - 150 cm (3 ft 3 in - 5 ft) in height and about 90 - 120 cm (3 ft - 4 ft) in width, with larger growth possible in long-season climates and under good care.

In a garden it is best used toward the middle or back of a mixed border, as a single fragrant specimen, in a small group, or as an informal flowering hedge. Its pale flowers combine particularly well with blue, violet and mauve perennials, silver foliage, hardy geraniums, catmints, salvias and delicate ornamental grasses. Because the stems carry few prickles, the shrub is also suitable beside paths and seating areas, although adequate space should be allowed for mature arching growth.

A position receiving at least six hours of direct light is preferable in cool and humid climates. In hot continental or Mediterranean conditions, morning sun with light afternoon protection may preserve the flowers and reduce heat stress. The soil should be fertile, humus-rich and moisture-retentive but freely drained. A slightly acidic to neutral reaction is ideal, although roses can grow across a broader pH range when nutrient availability and drainage are satisfactory.

Water deeply during establishment and during extended dry periods. Frequent shallow sprinkling encourages superficial roots and prolonged leaf wetness; irrigation directed to the root zone is preferable. An annual mulch of mature compost, well-rotted manure or another stable organic material helps conserve moisture, suppress weeds and improve soil structure. Feed in spring as growth begins and, where the season is sufficiently long, again after the first flush. Excessive late nitrogen should be avoided in cold climates because it encourages tender shoots vulnerable to winter injury.

Pruning should preserve the graceful shrub architecture. In late winter or early spring, remove dead, diseased, crossing and very weak wood, then shorten the remaining principal canes by roughly one-quarter to one-third according to vigour and climate. Severe Hybrid Tea-style pruning is unnecessary and may reduce the natural elegance of the plant. Older shrubs benefit from the periodic removal of one of the oldest canes at the base to stimulate renewal. In cold climates, pruning is best delayed until the buds begin to swell and the extent of winter damage can be assessed.

Foliage:

There is a normal quantity of the foliage on the plants of this rose. The foliage is generally medium to dark green in colour, sometimes with a grey-green shade, and has semi-glossy to glossy surface. It is sufficiently dense to form an effective background for the pale flowers without appearing coarse. The leaves are medium-sized, closely resembling those of ‘Heritage’. The new growth may show a faint bronze or reddish tint before becoming green.

Leaflets:

The leaves are alternate and pinnately compound, normally composed of five leaflets, with occasional variation from 3 to 7, including the terminal leaflet. Individual leaflets are broadly ovate to elliptic, with an acute or shortly pointed apex and regularly serrated margins; the type of serration is medium sized and single. The terminal leaflet is usually larger than the lateral pairings. Surfaces are relatively smooth, and the venation is pinnate, with a central midrib and branching lateral veins visible beneath. The petiole and rachis are green, sometimes flushed reddish on young growth, and may carry a few small glands or minute prickles. Stipules are expected at the base of the petiole, as in other modern shrub roses.

Wood:

Young canes are green, sometimes reddish or bronze when newly formed, maturing to firmer green-brown and eventually grey-brown wood. Growth is upright at first, becoming gently arching as the canes lengthen. Branching is reasonably free, and established plants produce numerous flowering laterals along the upper and outer portions of the framework. The nearly smooth canes of this rose are easy to arrange or tie, and in favourable climates the longest shoots may be trained against a low support. It is not, however, a true climbing rose.

Prickles:

A notable characteristic of ‘Rose-Marie’ is the near absence of major prickles. The prickles are scattered, generally small to medium in size, broad-based and slightly curved downward. Young prickles may be reddish before aging to tan or grey-brown. Their scarcity makes pruning, tying and cutting flowers more comfortable than with heavily armed shrub roses. Gloves are still advisable, since an apparently smooth cane may carry occasional sharp prickles near its base or at a node.

Small prickles:

Under normal growing conditions the smaller prickles and glandular armature are not observed on the main canes and on the laterals from the main canes of ‘Rose-Marie’, it is substantially smoother than the average modern Shrub rose.

Disease resistance and stress tolerance:

The disease resistance of the ‘Rose-Marie’ is generally moderate, especially to both powdery mildew and black spot. Same as parent it may show some susceptibility to black spot, especially in wen and colder climates, and performance can vary with climate, pathogen strain and cultivation. The rust is possible but not frequently spotted on this cultivar. Good spacing, root-zone watering, removal of fallen infected leaves and balanced feeding are the most useful preventive measures.

In terms of winter hardiness, this rose is recommended for growing in climates similar to USDA zones 6 - 11, or rated as H6 by RHS scale, corresponding to approximately −20 to −15°C (−4 to 5°F). In colder gardens, plant it with the graft union several centimetres below soil level, mound the base with soil or compost after the ground begins to cool, and protect exposed crowns from alternating freeze and thaw. Own-root plants may recover from basal tissue after severe top damage, although they can establish more slowly. Good drainage is essential in winter because cold, saturated soil can be more damaging than low temperature alone.

The heat tolerance is moderate - the plant can grow in warm climates if supplied with adequate water, but extreme heat may produce smaller, paler, shorter-lived flowers and a longer pause between cycles. Afternoon shade is useful in regions with intense summer sun.

The name ‘Rose-Marie’ was given to honour Rose-Marie Caron, wife of Paul André King, who operated Valderose Gardens in Pain Court, Ontario. Although surviving first-party nursery documentation is limited, the association is supported by rose-history accounts and by local biographical records identifying King as the operator of Valderose Gardens and Rose-Marie Caron as his wife.

‘White Heritage’ is rather a descriptive synonym referring directly to the cultivar’s origin and appearance: it is the white-flowered sport of ‘Heritage’.

It should not be confused with the numerous older roses: Hybrid Tea ‘Rose Marie’ or Rambling rose ‘Rose-Marie Viaud’, bearing similar names.

Up to this date the rose variety ‘Rose-Marie’ did not receive an ADR designation, RHS Award of Garden Merit, All-America Rose Selections award, Australian National Rose Trial medal, international fragrance-trial certificate or comparable formal competition honour.

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

Rose variety ‘Ausome’ / 'Rose-Marie' originated as a spontaneous white-flowered bud sport of ‘Heritage’, the pink English Shrub Rose introduced by David Austin. Historical accounts place the discovery at Valderose Gardens in Pain Court, Ontario, Canada, and it was introduced under the Austin denomination ‘Ausome’. Valderose was operated by Paul André King, and local biographical information identifies his wife as Rose-Marie Caron.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

‘Ausome’ / 'Rose-Marie' has a direct relationship to ‘Heritage’, retaining the parent’s morphology while replacing its shell-pink colouring with cream and white. It was never distributed on the same international scale. It appears to have been offered for a comparatively short period and is now absent from the principal current David Austin retail collection. Specialist nurseries have continued to list it intermittently, especially in Canada and the United States, but some suppliers preserve only archived catalogue pages. It preserves an unusual mutation of an influential Austin rose, it connects British rose breeding with a Canadian nursery discovery, and it offers a combination of white old-fashioned flowers, powerful scent and nearly thornless growth that remains comparatively uncommon. Its value therefore extends beyond novelty: it is a living record of how spontaneous variation can enlarge the palette of cultivated roses.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

‘Rose-Marie’ is a fragrant, repeat-flowering English shrub whose creamy white, blush-centred cups reproduce the elegance of ‘Heritage’ in a paler and more ethereal colour range, this rose variety incorporated the following unique combination of characteristics:

  creamy white, deeply cupped flowers, frequently retaining shell-pink or pale apricot colouring at the centre;

  strong Myrrh fragrance enriched by fruity, honeyed and carnation-like notes;

  repeat flowering in successive flushes from early summer into autumn;

  graceful, bushy growth on smooth or almost prickle-free canes.

Rose cultivar ‘Rose-Marie’ must be propagated vegetatively to preserve its colour mutation. Suitable methods include softwood or semi-ripe cuttings, hardwood cuttings where local conditions permit, chip budding and conventional T-budding onto compatible rose rootstocks.

COMPARISON WITH PARENTS

The parent rose ‘Heritage’ bears shell-pink flowers, generally deeper toward the centre and paler at the edges. ‘Rose-Marie’ suppresses most of that pink, opening from pale blush or apricot-cream buds into ivory and white cups. A residual pink centre may remain, particularly during cool weather, and occasional irregularly coloured petals reveal the sport’s origin. Fragrance is similarly strong in both, with some growers finding the white sport equal to or stronger than ‘Heritage’. Their growth habit, appearance and character are essentially the same. ‘Rose-Marie’ may show weather marks more conspicuously because of its white petals, while ‘Heritage’ provides a warmer, more visibly pink display.

COMPARISON WITH THE CLOSEST COMMERCIALLY AVAILABLE CULTIVAR

The most similar and commercially available rose for comparing with ‘Rose-Marie’ is English Shrub rose ‘Crocus Rose’, introduced in 2000, is much closer to ‘Rose-Marie’ in period and provides a useful comparison in relation to repeat flowering, shrub architecture and the transition from warm apricot tones to cream.

The flowers of ‘Crocus Rose’ are larger and more densely constructed, containing approximately 95–110 petals under normal conditions. They open as cupped flowers but expand into broad, many-petalled rosettes. The centre is initially soft apricot, while the outer petals are pale cream; as the flower matures, much of the warm colouring fades, and the overall appearance becomes creamy white. ‘Rose-Marie’ usually retains a cooler shell-pink or blush undertone derived from ‘Heritage’, whereas ‘Crocus Rose’ belongs more clearly to the yellow-apricot colour range. Its centre appears warm, buttery or pale apricot rather than pearly pink.

The arrangement of the flowers also separates the cultivars. ‘Rose-Marie’ generally carries its medium-sized blooms singly or in relatively small groups, allowing the individual cups to remain clearly visible among the foliage. ‘Crocus Rose’ produces large rosettes in generous clusters at the ends of slightly arching stems. It is notably free flowering and creates a fuller, more continuous mass of cream and apricot colour. The individual flowers of ‘Crocus Rose’ are heavier, broader and more densely packed, while those of ‘Rose-Marie’ appear lighter, more delicate and more closely related to the informal cups of ‘Heritage’.

Fragrance gives ‘Rose-Marie’ a clear advantage over ‘Crocus Rose’ for gardeners who prioritise scent. ‘Crocus Rose’ has a light Tea fragrance, it is pleasant but usually much less powerful than the strong Myrrh and fruity fragrance of ‘Rose-Marie’.

USDA 6

USDA Zone 6 - hardiness guide