Rose The Squire

‘The Squire’ is a richly fragrant, velvety crimson English Rose of remarkable Old Rose character, prized for its full, cupped blooms and intense colour that deepens to near-black in cool weather. Though not without its challenges, this upright, classically shaped shrub rewards attentive care with unforgettable beauty and powerful perfume.

FLOWERING

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

‘The Squire’ produces large, deeply cupped, rosette-shaped blooms that embody the romantic allure of antique roses. Each flower is large, normally opens to about 11 cm (4.3 inches) in diameter and is tightly packed with numerous quilled petals that form a full, layered structure. The blooms open from squat, dark crimson buds, evolving into glowing velvet red flowers, often edged in coal black or tinged with purple as they mature - especially in cooler climates or toward the end of a flush. Over time, in strong sun or heat, the color may soften to a deep claret or dusky pink, though it still retains its bold presence.

The flowers are borne singly or in small clusters of up to 5 blooms together, and are both long-lasting on the plants and as well they are perfectly suited for cutting. Their beauty is amplified by an exceptionally strong Old Rose fragrance: a classic blend of sweet richness with musky depth, that lingers memorably in the air and indoors.

Fittingly for its namesake, this rose exhibits showy, velvety blooms, rich fragrance, and aristocratic bearing, while its somewhat delicate constitution reminds us of its need for pampering.

PLANT

Rose variety ‘The Squire’ is classified as a Shrub rose and is part of David Austin’s English Shrub Roses collection. It grows into a short to medium-height upright shrub, generally reaching about 100 - 120 cm (3.3 - 4 ft) in height with a spread of about 75 - 90 cm (2.5–3 ft). While not especially vigorous, it has a strong vertical structure, often appearing a bit sparse or stick-like in early growth stages.

Thick, rough-textured, large dark green leaves clothe its branches, which are armed with numerous red prickles, giving it a somewhat rugged, knightly bearing in keeping with its name. The number of leaflets on normal mid-stem leaves is typically 5, including the terminal leaflet. The edges of the leaflets are serrated, the type of serration is single and large.

The plant benefits greatly from generous treatment: rich soil, full sun, and consistent feeding help offset its susceptibility to mildew and blackspot, especially in humid or rainy regions. In dry, warm climates, it performs more reliably, with some growers reporting excellent flowering and foliage.

Despite these challenges, 'The Squire' remains a favourite among collectors and lovers of crimson roses due to the unique quality of its flowers - both in colour and perfume. In group plantings or as a featured border specimen, it shines when supported by cultural care and complementary planting to mask its sparse base.

Best suited for borders, low hedges, or container planting, ‘The Squire’ offers strong vertical accents and intoxicating blooms, especially when placed where its scent can be appreciated up close. It excels when planted in groups of three or more to compensate for its sparser foliage and create a dense visual effect.

Due to its upright habit and remarkable cut flowers, it is also suitable for cutting gardens, formal layouts, or as a feature plant in heritage-style plantings alongside lavender, salvia, or silver-leafed companions that contrast and enhance its deep red tones.

Rose variety is recommended for growing in climate conditions similar to USDA 6 and requires winter protection in more colder climates.

The name is drawn from The Canterbury Tales by Geoffrey Chaucer, in which the Squire is a young, flamboyant figure, more concerned with his appearance and courtly manners than knightly feats.

English Shrub Roses

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

Rose variety ‘Aussquire’ / 'The Squire’ originated by David Austin by crossing the seed parent English shrub rose ‘The Knight’ with the pollen parent old Climbing rose ‘Château de Clos Vougeot’, combining the stately form and antiquarian flair of English Roses with the dark, sultry glamour of a classic Hybrid Tea.

USDA 6