If you’re looking for a rose that combines classic beauty with reliable performance, you should consider the Evelyn rose. The charm of Evelyn roses – elegant and timeless makes them a standout choice for any garden, offering a beautiful blend of old-world form and modern vigor.
These exquisite English-style roses, officially known as ‘Evelyn’, were bred by the famous David Austin. They are celebrated for their large, peony-like blooms in a stunning apricot-pink hue and their exceptional, fruity fragrance. This article will guide you through everything you need to know to grow and enjoy these magnificent plants.
Evelyn Roses – Elegant and Timeless
You can think of the Evelyn rose as a living piece of art. Its blooms are large, deeply cupped, and filled with numerous petals that create a captivating rosette shape. The color is a complex blend of apricot, pink, and sometimes a hint of yellow at the base, which softens to a delicate pink as the flower matures. It’s a true centerpiece for any border or flower bed.
Why Choose Evelyn Roses for Your Garden?
There are several compelling reasons to make space for an Evelyn rose in your garden. First and foremost is their visual and sensory appeal. The fragrance is strong and delightful, often described as a sweet, fruity scent reminiscent of peaches and apricots. This makes them perfect for planting near seating areas or paths where you can enjoy their perfume.
Here are some key benefits:
* Repeat Flowering: Unlike some old garden roses that bloom only once, Evelyn is a reliable repeat bloomer from late spring until the first frosts.
* Disease Resistance: Bred for health, it shows good resistance to common rose ailments like black spot and powdery mildew when given proper care.
* Versatile Growth: It can be grown as a large, bushy shrub or trained as a short climber against a wall or fence.
* Excellent for Cutting: The long, sturdy stems and long-lasting blooms make Evelyn roses superb for beautiful, fragrant indoor arrangements.
Planting Your Evelyn Rose for Success
Getting your rose off to a great start is crucial. The best time to plant bare-root Evelyn roses is in late autumn or early spring, while container-grown roses can be planted any time the ground is workable, avoiding frozen or waterlogged soil.
Follow these steps for planting:
1. Choose the Right Spot. Select a location that receives at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Ensure the site has good air circulation to help keep foliage dry and prevent disease, but is sheltered from strong winds.
2. Prepare the Soil. Roses thrive in rich, well-draining soil. Dig a hole that is twice as wide and a bit deeper than the rose’s root ball. Mix the excavated soil with plenty of well-rotted compost or manure.
3. Soak and Position. If planting a bare-root rose, soak the roots in water for a few hours before planting. Place the rose in the hole so the graft union (the knobby bump where the rose is joined to the rootstock) is just above soil level in warmer climates, or about an inch below in colder regions.
4. Backfill and Water. Gently backfill the hole with your enriched soil, firming it down as you go to remove air pockets. Create a shallow basin around the stem and water it thoroughly to settle the soil.
Essential Care and Maintenance
Once established, your Evelyn rose will reward you with minimal fuss if you follow a few key care practices. Consistent care is the secret to those abundant, healthy blooms.
Watering: Provide deep, thorough watering about once a week, more often during hot, dry spells. Always water at the base of the plant to keep the leaves dry, which helps prevent fungal diseases. A layer of mulch around the base will help retain moisture and suppress weeds.
Feeding: Roses are hungry plants. Feed them in early spring as new growth emerges with a balanced, slow-release rose fertilizer. Apply a second feeding after the first major flush of flowers to encourage more blooms. A final feed in mid-summer is beneficial, but avoid feeding too late in the season as this can promote tender new growth vulnerable to frost.
Pruning: Pruning is simpler than you might think. The main prune should be done in late winter or early spring, just as the buds begin to swell.
* Remove all dead, diseased, or damaged wood first.
* Cut back about one-third to one-half of the previous year’s growth, shaping the plant as you go.
* Make your cuts at a 45-degree angle, about 1/4 inch above an outward-facing bud.
* Throughout the summer, deadhead spent flowers by cutting back to the first set of five leaves to encourage repeat blooming.
Common Pests and Problems
Even with good resistance, it’s wise to keep an eye out for common rose issues. Early intervention is key. Aphids can sometimes cluster on new buds and shoots; you can often dislodge them with a strong jet of water from the hose. Look out for signs of black spot (dark spots on leaves) or powdery mildew (white powder on leaves). Good air circulation, proper watering, and cleaning up fallen leaves in autumn are the best preventions. If needed, use an organic fungicide spray.
Designing with Evelyn Roses
The soft, warm color of Evelyn roses makes them incredibly versatile in garden design. They blend beautifully with other English garden favorites like lavender, catmint, and delphiniums. For a romantic cottage garden effect, let them mingle with perennials such as foxgloves and hardy geraniums. Their apricot tones also look stunning against a backdrop of purple or blue flowers, like salvia or veronica.
Because of their strong, upright growth and intoxicating scent, plant them where you can appreciate them up close—near a garden bench, along a frequently walked path, or under a window where the fragrance can drift inside. They also make a spectacular focal point when planted in groups of three in a large border.
Propagating Your Evelyn Roses
If you fall in love with your Evelyn rose, you might want to create more plants. The most reliable method for home gardeners is to take hardwood cuttings in late autumn. It takes patience, but it’s very rewarding.
Here’s how:
1. Select healthy, pencil-thick stems from this year’s growth that have finished flowering.
2. Cut them into sections about 8-10 inches long, making the top cut just above a bud and the bottom cut just below a bud.
3. Remove all but the top two or three leaves.
4. Dip the bottom end into rooting hormone powder (this step is optional but can improve success).
5. Insert the cuttings into a pot of gritty, well-draining compost or directly into a sheltered nursery bed in the garden.
6. Keep the soil slightly moist. By next autumn, the cuttings should have rooted and can be moved to their permanent home.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big do Evelyn roses get?
As a shrub, Evelyn typically grows to about 4 feet tall and 3 feet wide. When trained as a climber, it can reach 6 to 8 feet in height.
Are Evelyn roses fragrant?
Yes, they are highly fragrant. Their scent is a strong, sweet, fruity fragrance often compared to ripe peaches and apricots.
Is the Evelyn rose a David Austin variety?
Yes, Evelyn (also sometimes listed as ‘AUSTilly’) is a David Austin English Rose, introduced in 1991.
Do Evelyn roses bloom all summer?
They are repeat-flowering, meaning they produce flushes of blooms from late spring through to fall, especially with regular deadheading.
What is the best climate for growing Evelyn roses?
They perform well in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 10. They appreciate a period of winter chill but also tolerate some heat with adequate watering.
Can Evelyn roses be grown in containers?
Yes, choose a large pot (at least 18-20 inches in diameter) with excellent drainage, and use a high-quality potting mix. Container roses need more frequent watering and feeding.
With there care and attention, your Evelyn rose will become a cherished part of your garden for many years. Its elegant, timeless blooms and unforgettable fragrance are sure to bring you joy season after season, proving that some of the best garden choices are those that never go out of style.