AUSVELVET – crimson-red English rose – Austin
Step out to the soft rain and meet AUSvelvet, a richly romantic English shrub rose whose velvety crimson-purple blooms bring instant drama to even the smallest Irish front garden. Bred by David Austin, this own-root rose is designed for long, dependable lifespan, quietly building roots in year one, fuller shoots in year two and its full ornamental value by year three. The very strong old-rose fragrance lingers in the air, while the bushy, compact habit suits cottage borders and neat Dublin terraces alike. Medium maintenance needs mean straightforward care rather than constant fussing, and its repeat-flowering, deeply double blooms give generous colour through our cool summers, even when frequent Atlantic showers and damp air roll in from the coast.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Classic cottage-garden border |
The Prince forms a bushy shrub with medium height and spread, ideal for weaving through perennials in an Irish cottage border without overpowering the space. Its repeat crimson-purple flushes give structure and colour from early summer to autumn with only moderate deadheading and basic disease checks – well suited to beginners who still want a refined result for the hobby gardener. |
| Feature rose near a doorway or terrace |
The very strong, old-rose perfume is noticeable from a distance, so placing it beside a path, front step or patio makes every short walk outside feel special. The solitary, deeply double rosettes hold their form well at eye level, turning an ordinary entrance into a welcoming focal point for the fragrance lover. |
| Long-lived specimen in a small front garden |
As an own-root shrub, AUSvelvet is bred for longevity, regenerating from its own wood rather than relying on grafts, so it keeps its shape and character for many years with simple pruning. This makes it an excellent “one good rose” choice for compact Dublin terraces that need reliable, low-input structure for the busy homeowner. |
| Romantic mixed hedge or row |
Planted at about 55 cm for hedging, the bushy habit and medium-dense foliage knit into a soft, romantic screen without feeling heavy. Its colour holds well as blooms age, shifting from deep crimson to purple-lilac, giving a varied, painterly effect along the boundary that suits the romantic gardener. |
| Cut flowers for the house |
The large, very double, rosette blooms on sturdy stems make impressive cut flowers with a rich, velvety texture and classic scent. Regular cutting encourages further remontant flowering, so the plant keeps producing through the season while bringing that royal crimson-purple indoors for the home decorator. |
| Containers and large patio pots |
In a well-drained container of at least 40–50 litres, this medium-sized shrub rose develops a stable crown and good repeat bloom, provided it receives regular watering and feeding. The compact outline suits patios and balconies where ground planting is difficult, creating a strong vertical accent for the urban gardener. |
| Heavy-soil family gardens with good drainage |
The Prince performs well in typical Irish garden soils when planting holes are improved with organic matter and grit for drainage, helping roots establish steadily and support remontant flowering even in cool, damp summers with frequent coastal showers and humidity; its medium disease resistance remains manageable for the practical gardener. |
| Subtle, enduring garden investment |
With moderate maintenance needs and sturdy shrub structure, this variety rewards a little annual pruning and feeding with many seasons of rich colour and fragrance. Own-root growth helps the plant recover from winter damage and keep a consistent shape over time, suiting those who prefer steady, long-term beauty for the patient beginner. |
Styling ideas
- COTTAGE-EDGE BORDER – combine The Prince with soft pinks, catmint and lady’s mantle to frame a path in a loose, storybook style – ideal for cottage-front romantics.
- DEEP-DRAMA FOCAL – plant as a solo specimen in gravel with low thyme to highlight its velvety crimson-purple blooms – perfect for small front gardens needing impact.
- SCENTED DOORWAY – place near a porch with lavender and creeping baby’s-breath so every arrival catches the strong old-rose fragrance – suited to fragrance-focused homeowners.
- INTIMATE HEDGE – use a close-spaced row backed by yew or privet for a soft, blooming screen that offers privacy without feeling formal – good for family plots.
- CONTAINER COURTYARD – grow in a 50-litre terracotta pot with trailing thyme and seasonal bulbs beneath to create a long-season focal point – ideal for patio and balcony gardeners.
Technical cultivar profile
| Property |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Registered as AUSvelvet, marketed as The Prince in the English Rose Collection; shrub rose type within the “Rós rómánsúil” commercial group, approved exhibition name The Prince. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by David C. H. Austin in the United Kingdom from ‘Lilian Austin’ × ‘The Squire’; breeding year 1990, registered 1992, introduced after 1992 through David Austin Roses Ltd. |
| Awards and recognition |
Recognised in American rose shows as a Modern Shrub Rose, including Augusta Rose Society Show and other district exhibitions around 1999–2000 for its ornamental qualities. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Bushy shrub, typically 80–130 cm high and 70–120 cm wide, with moderately dense, matt, dark green foliage and densely thorned stems; self-cleaning only moderate, so spent blooms may need removal. |
| Flower morphology |
Large 7–10 cm rosette blooms, very double with 40+ petals, generally borne solitary on stems; remontant habit with an abundant second flush given appropriate care and feeding through the season. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Velvety deep crimson-red flowers intensifying toward royal purple; ARS code DR, RHS 60A outer and 61B inner; colour may lighten slightly in strong sun, often deepening to purple-lilac as blooms age. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, classic old-rose perfume that carries on the air; fragrance is rich and complex, especially noticeable near head height and in still, humid conditions typical of many Irish summer evenings. |
| Hip characteristics |
Hip set is usually sparse because of the very double form; when present, hips are small, spherical, orange-red and about 6–10 mm across, adding only light autumn interest rather than a major display. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated H7, hardy approximately to –26 to –23 °C, USDA Zone 5b; medium resistance to powdery mildew, black spot and rust, requiring occasional preventive care, and needing regular watering in dry spells. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil; plant roughly 65 cm apart in borders, 55 cm in hedges or 100 cm as specimens; moderate maintenance with pruning, feeding and deadheading to sustain repeat bloom. |
AUSvelvet offers velvety crimson-purple blooms, powerful fragrance and long-lived own-root reliability, making it a thoughtful choice for Irish gardens seeking romantic colour with manageable care – consider it as your signature garden rose.
