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Brother Cadfael - Retired

Forever part of our history, these roses have paved the way for many more roses to come.

In the late 1940s, David C H Austin set out on his quest to breed the most beautiful and healthy roses; a vision that continues to remain at the heart of our business today, more than 80 years later. This vision drives our continuing assessment of rose varieties in the current collection to ensure they reach our exacting standards and expectations. Due to climatic changes and the evolution of plant diseases, some historical varieties will no longer reach our increasingly high standards. It is in these instances that we must retire the rose to ensure customers receive only the best roses that will thrive and deliver the most enjoyable customer experience, regardless of gardening expertise. As a result of our review process, Brother Cadfael is now retired from our English Rose Collection but will always remain part of our history, paving the way for many more new roses to come, creating the next generation of roses.

If you love Brother Cadfael, we have some great alternatives, which we are sure will endear themselves to you, bringing you much happiness and gardening enjoyment for years to come.

Brother Cadfael
(Ausglobe) English Shrub Rose Bred By David Austin
Bears very large, globular, clear pink flowers, reminiscent of peonies. Despite their size, they are never clumsy and are held nicely upright on the plant. There is a particularly strong and rich Old Rose fragrance. It forms a bushy shrub; the flowers, leaves and growth all in proportion. David Austin, 1986.
  • Colour: Clear pink
  • Flowering: Repeat Flowering
  • Fragrance: Strong,Old Rose
  • Bloom Size: Large
  • Family: English Shrub Rose
  • Size: Medium Shrub
  • Height: 4 1/2ft (140cm)
  • Width: 3ft (90cm)
  • Breeder: David Austin
  • Year of Introduction: 1986
  • Mixed Border
  • Rose Border
  • East, South, West Facing
  • Full Sunlight
  • All soil types
Brother Cadfael
Our rose expert’s reccomendation
The Ancient Mariner®
(Ausglobe) English Shrub Rose Bred By David Austin
An impressive variety, bearing masses of large, many petalled blooms on a bushy, quite upright shrub. The blooms are a lovely glowing mid pink at the centre, paling towards the edges. Over time, they each reveal a cluster of golden stamens. There is a medium-strong myrrh fragrance. The name of this rose was inspired by Samuel Taylor Coleridge’s epic poem, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner. There is a strong, warm myrrh fragrance. David Austin, 2015.
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The Ancient Mariner®
Description
Bears very large, globular, clear pink flowers, reminiscent of peonies. Despite their size, they are never clumsy and are held nicely upright on the plant. There is a particularly strong and rich Old Rose fragrance. It forms a bushy shrub; the flowers, leaves and growth all in proportion. David Austin, 1986.
Characteristics
  • Colour: Clear pink
  • Flowering: Repeat Flowering
  • Fragrance: Strong,Old Rose
  • Bloom Size: Large
  • Family: English Shrub Rose
  • Size: Medium Shrub
  • Height: 4 1/2ft (140cm)
  • Width: 3ft (90cm)
  • Breeder: David Austin
  • Year of Introduction: 1986
Location
  • Mixed Border
  • Rose Border
Growing conditions
  • East, South, West Facing
  • Full Sunlight
  • Roses Suitable for All Soil TypesAll soil types
Behind the name
This rose was named after the hero of the Ellis Peters detective stories, which are set in Shropshire where our nursery is located.
How to plant a shrub rose
Frequently asked questions

Need more help? for individual help or advice, we encourage you to contact our friendly, knowledgeable team on 01902 376300.

Bare root roses are dormant plants and can be planted November and April.

Potted roses are available all year round and can be planted at any time of the year.

Aside from extreme weather, roses can be planted at any time during the year. The extreme weather conditions that we advise against planting in are when the ground is frozen, water-logged or during a drought.

We take every care to breed, grow and deliver the best roses. If a rose fails to grow or arrives damaged, we will replace it free of charge. The 5 year guarantee applies to roses purchased
directly from David Austin. If you would like to request a replacement or refund of a rose within the 5 year guarantee period, please complete our Returns form.

Call us on 01902 376300

Email us help@davidaustinroses.co.uk

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  • Saturday
    8:30am — 4:30pm
  • Sunday
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