SOPHY’S ROSE®
English Shrub Rose
(AUSlot)
‘Sophy’s Rose’ was bred by David Austin Snr. in the UK and was introduced in 1997.
Sophy’s Rose is a proven performer with several great attributes to recommend it. This is a free flowering, strong and vigorous plant which excels in both hot and cold climates, producing a prolific number of rich cerise coloured blooms.
This rose has large (12cm), flat rosette-shaped blooms with up to 80 petals complemented by a light tea rose fragrance and excellent repeat flowering ability. It can be adapted to many garden uses, such as a mass planting, hedge or as a container or feature plant. In our sunny climate, this rose grows to 1.5m tall x 1.2m wide, with an upright and bushy growth habit. It is a great choice for a mixed border with blue and purple flowering plants, like salvia, tall bearded iris or lavender as these colours harmonise well.
This rose is highly recommended as a graceful and romantic looking English Shrub Rose with reliable performance, good disease resistance and flowering all season long. It was named for Sophy, daughter of Wendy Fisher the Founder of the charity Dyslexia Institute in 1972.
Sophy’s Rose is available from Knight’s Roses, Gawler, knightsroses.com.au; Wagner’s Rose Nursery wagnersrosenursery.com.au in South Australia and Silkies Rose Farm rosesalesonline.com.au in Victoria.
Awards:
TROPHY BEST SHRUB ROSE IN TRIAL National Rose Trial Garden of Australia – Adelaide 2002
SILVER MEDAL National Rose Trial Garden of Australia – Adelaide 2002
Text and Photos: Melanie Trimper
