Petal Pals
shrub · 1996
A Shropshire Lad
Rosa 'A Shropshire Lad'
5 to 10 feet
Height
Repeat
Blooming
Full sun
Light
5–10
Zone
Plant & Flower Traits
Rose type
shrub
Bloom size
3.5 to 5 inches
Bloom habit
Large, shallowly cupped rosettes typically borne in small clusters.
Petal count
90 to 100
Flowering
repeat blooming
Habit
vigorous
Color
apricot
Fragrance
strong
Foliage
Dark green
Foliage surface
Glossy and leathery
Fragrance Notes
A delightful fruity Tea fragrance characteristic of the Leander group.
Color Description
Soft peachy-pink rosettes that pale toward the edges, occasionally exhibiting a mother-of-pearl effect; the reverse of the petals is a deeper rose-pink.
🌱 Growth & Garden Habits
Light
Full sun
Height
5 to 10 feet
Spread
3 to 5 feet
Soil
Thrives in rich, fertile, and well-drained soil; adaptable to various soil types including clay, loam, sand, and chalky soils.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5–10
Disease Resistance
Moderate; recently withdrawn from David Austin's catalog in some regions due to its susceptibility to fungal diseases in certain climates.
🌿 Care Guide
Watering
Requires regular watering to maintain moist, well-drained soil; established plants are moderately drought tolerant but perform best with consistent moisture.
Fertilizer
Apply a balanced rose fertilizer in early spring and again after the first flush of blooms in mid-summer; mulch annually with well-rotted manure or compost.
Pruning
Pruning group 17 for climbers or 21 for shrubs; prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead or diseased wood and encourage new growth. Deadhead regularly to promote repeat flowering.
Pests & Diseases
Susceptible to common rose ailments including aphids, black spot, powdery mildew, and rust.
🧬 Pedigree
Heritage × unnamed seedling
🏆 Awards & Recognition
Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Award of Garden Merit (2012)