David Austin's The Dark Lady

• Category: English Roses (English Rose Collection);
• Colour: Red/Crimson;
• Flower Type: Double/Full Bloom;
• Size: Medium Shrub;
• Hardiness: Hardy;
• Fragrance: Medium;
• Repeating: Good

A dark, dusky crimson rose, with rather loosely formed flowers that open wide and hang elegantly. They have a special character of their own, which reminds us of the flowers of tree peonies, as sometimes seen on fabrics and wallpapers.

It forms a shapely, spreading bush. The bush is small at first but over time becomes quite large, reaching a medium height. It bears attractive, large, dark green leaves which are rough in texture, resembling those of its Rosa rugosa parentage.

There is a light Old Rose fragrance.

The name is taken from the mysterious Dark Lady of Shakespeare’s sonnets.