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Sir John Betjeman^®

(Ausvivid) English Shrub Rose Bred By David Austin

Best For Flowering

Select option below

Bare Root

£23.00

Plant October to April

In Stock - Available Now

Potted

£33.00

Plant all year round

In Stock - Available Now

Email me when back in stock

5 Year Guarantee
Your rose will arrive in peak condition and thrive at home or we'll replace it for free. Find out more Hide more info

David Austin Roses offers a 5 year guarantee and lifetime support for any rose ordered directly from David Austin Roses. This means that if anything is wrong with your rose within the first 5 years we will be happy to help get your rose flourishing or discuss a replacement if necessary.
BUY 3 SAVE 10%
To make the most impact in your garden, buy three of the same bare root or potted rose and save 10%

Standard delivery

Arrives in 3-5 days

£3.95
Next day delivery

Order today, get it tomorrow

£5.95
Nominated day delivery

Choose your delivery day

£5.95

Description

The flowers start as small buds, opening to full petalled, wide open rosettes of a bright crimson-red. As the flowers age, the blooms becomes dome-shaped while the colour – unusually for the English Roses – gradually intensifies. It forms a very bushy, neatly rounded shrub with slightly arching growth. Named after the well-known writer, journalist and broadcaster. David Austin, 2008.

Characteristics

Colour: Crimson-red

Bloom colour

Colour may vary depending on growing conditions. Colour fade is a characteristic of some varieties.
Flowering: Repeat Flowering

Repeat or once flowering?

Repeat flowering roses flower in flushes from late spring through to early winter. Once flowering roses only produce a single flush of blooms lasting 3 to 4 weeks in mid-summer.
Bloom Size: Medium

Bloom size guide

Bloom size varies over the life cycle of each bloom. Measurements refer to the average diameter of a bloom at its prime. Large bloom: 3.5-5" Medium bloom: 2-3.5" Small bloom: 1-2"
Family: English Shrub Rose
Size: Medium Shrub

Size guide

All measurements are approximate 'height x width' and refer to a 3 year old established rose, pruned once annually, measured during the first flush of flowers in June.
Height: 4ft (125cm)
Width: 4ft (125cm)
Breeder: David Austin
Year of Introduction: 2008

Location

Mixed Border
Rose Border

Growing conditions

East, South, West Facing
Full Sunlight
All soil types

Behind the name

Betjeman's daughter, Mrs Candida Lycett Green and The Betjeman Society asked us to name this rose after the well-known writer, journalist and broadcaster. He also opened people’s eyes to the value of the buildings and landscape around them. At the time of his death, in 1984, he held the post of Poet Laureate and is commemorated in Poet's Corner in Westminster Abbey.

Our story
60 years of expertise
We handpick only the finest roses on our family farm in Shropshire. Our commitment to quality ensures that each bloom meets our rigorous standards.
Find out more

How to plant a shrub rose

Bare root shrub rose

View the full guide
Potted shrub rose

View the full guide

Frequently asked questions

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

When's the best time to plant roses?

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.

Do you provide a guarantee on your roses?

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.

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5 Year Guarantee

If your rose fails to grow, we’ll replace it for free

RHS Gold Medal Winner 2024

We’ve won 28 RHS Chelsea Flower Show Gold Medals

British Grown

Our roses are grown in England, in our rose fields

Lifetime Support

We're committed to helping you through every stage of growing roses

For over 60 years we have been growing roses on our family farm in Shropshire, lovingly nurturing them by hand until they are ready to be passed onto you, to be enjoyed in your own gardens.

Easy way to shop for something special!

I have always found David Austin Roses not only delightful in all that you want in a Rose but also on the help to choose the perfect gift.

Rosemary Dunn
Can always trust the quality of roses

The packaging is great and never a problem with delivery. I have had a few now and hoping for a great Summer to show them off.

Gary O’Sullivan
Incredible customer service

I have asked for all sorts of advice regarding my roses and my rose garden, and the staff at David Austin have been so incredibly generous.

Wanda Doe