David Austin The Mayflower® English Shrub Rose (6-Litre Pot)

David Austin The Mayflower (Austilly) is a very healthy, early flowering rose which bears mid-pink blooms, with layers of ruffled petals. These mid-sized flowers have a medium-strong Old Rose scent that is a rich and complex perfect for enjoying throughout the summer months. This rose is robust and reliable to grow which has been recognised by the Royal Horticultural Society who have given it their prestigious Award of Garden Merit.

With its busy and upright habit, healthy growth and old rose style of blooms, it is ideal for planting in a mixed border, as a rose hedge or rose border, and makes a wonderful addition to a pot or container. It is able to thrive in either full sun or partial shade and is very tolerant of different soils.

Introduced in 2001, this English shrub rose was bred by David Austin to mark the launch of the first David Austin Roses US catalogue. The Mayflower was the name of the ship that took the Pilgrims to America.

Plant details

• Breeder: David Austin
• Rose type: Shrub Rose
• Colour: Mid Pink
• Fragrance: Medium-Strong, Old Rose
• Bloom size: Medium
• Flowering period: May, June, July, August, September, October (Repeat flowering)
• Awards: Recipient of the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit
• Pot size: 6-Litre

Growing conditions

• Soil moisture: Moist but well drained
• Soil pH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral (suitable for all soil types)
• Hardiness: Fully hardy

Best location

• Aspect: North, East, South or West-facing
• Sunlight: Full sun, Partial shade

Expected plant growth

• Plant height: Up to 1.1m (after 3 years)
• Plant width: Up to 0.9m (after 3 years)

All measurements are approximate

How to care for your rose

To get the best from The Mayflower shrub rose, plant it with a sprinkling of David Austin Mycorrhizal Fungi 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 the spent blooms to encourage new bud growth.

(Images courtesy of David Austin® Roses)