An elegant rose with open sprays of cupped, mid pink blooms, the David Austin ‘Penelope Lively’ shrub rose will fill your garden with its beautiful blooms and classic Old Rose, Fruity fragrance.
With an abundance of exquisite flowers that burst from bright red buds, they transform into a magnificent pink frilled blooms. As the flowers mature, the petals fade to attractive lavender hues, to create a display of varying colours throughout its flowering season.
A wonderful choice for creating mixed borders that fuse the classic with the contemporary, it looks magnificent paired with Salvias, Geraniums and Echinacea. Alternatively, it makes a worthy addition to any rose garden, with its healthy and robust growth, and is an excellent cut flower to enjoy around the home.
Bred by David Austin and introduced in 2023, it is named for the prize-winning adult and children’s author, Penelope Lively. Said to have had two passions in life, writing and gardening, these were combined in her beautifully crafted memoir “Life in the garden”.
Plant details
- Breeder:Â David Austin
- Rose type:Â Shrub Rose
- Colour:Â Bright Pink
- Fragrance:Â Medium-strong, Old Rose, Fruity
- Bloom size:Â Medium
- Flowering period:Â May, June, July, August, September, October (Repeat flowering)
- Pot size:Â 6-Litre
Growing conditions
- Soil moisture:Â Moist but well drained
- Soil pH:Â Acid, Alkaline, Neutral (suitable for all soil types)
- Hardiness:Â Fully hardy
Best location
- Aspect:Â North, East, South or West-facing
- Sunlight:Â Full sun, Partial shade
Expected plant growth
- Plant height: Up to 1.10m (after 3 years)
- Plant width:Â Up to 1.25m (after 3 years)
All measurements are approximate
How to care for your rose
To get the best blooms from your David Austin Penelope Lively shrub rose, plant it with an application of David Austin Mycorrhizal Fungi around the base to help the roots establish and encourage good plant health. We also recommend regular feeding with rose food, once in late March or early April and again in July. Whilst this rose is in flower, regularly deadhead to encourage new bud growth.
(Images courtesy of David Austin® Roses)