Roald Dahl® David Austin® English Shrub Rose
Charming, vibrant, and full of character, Roald Dahl® is a delightful English shrub rose from David Austin®, introduced in 2016 to celebrate the centenary of the beloved author's birth. Named with the approval of his wife, Liccy Dahl, this beautiful variety draws inspiration from the warm peach tones of the giant peach featured in James and the Giant Peach, one of Roald Dahl's most cherished stories.
Soft orange-red buds gradually unfurl into perfectly formed, medium-sized rosettes in rich shades of warm apricot, creating a glowing display throughout the garden. The blooms are beautifully cupped and packed with petals, giving them the classic old-fashioned appearance that defines the finest English roses.
Adding to its appeal is a delightful fruity tea fragrance, offering a fresh and inviting scent that complements the rose's warm coloring. Exceptionally healthy and vigorous, Roald Dahl® develops into a rounded, bushy shrub with very few thorns, making it as easy to maintain as it is beautiful to grow.
Its repeat-flowering habit ensures a continuous display of blooms from late spring through fall, while its compact size makes it ideal for borders, containers, rose hedges, and cutting gardens. Combining outstanding health, charming color, and dependable performance, Roald Dahl® is a wonderful addition to gardens of all sizes.
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Key Features
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Rose Type | English Shrub Rose |
| Breeder | David Austin® |
| Variety | Roald Dahl® |
| Year Introduced | 2016 |
| Flower Color | Warm Apricot |
| Bloom Size | Medium |
| Bloom Form | Cupped Rosettes |
| Petal Count | Approximately 55 Petals |
| Fragrance | Medium Fruity Tea Fragrance |
| Flowering Habit | Repeat Blooming |
| Growth Habit | Rounded, Bushy Shrub with Few Thorns |
| Disease Resistance | Excellent; Extremely Robust and Healthy |
Growing Information
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Light Needs | Full Sun to Partial Shade |
| USDA Hardiness Zones | 5–11 |
| Mature Height | 4' |
| Mature Width | 4' |
| Plant Spacing | 3–4' Apart |
| Soil Preference | Adaptable to All Soil Types |
| Exposure | North, East, South, or West Facing |
Ideal Uses
✔ Mixed Borders
✔ Rose Borders
✔ Rose Hedges
✔ Decorative Containers
✔ Cutting Gardens
✔ Cottage Gardens
✔ Partial Shade Plantings
Recommended Growing Regions
Roald Dahl® performs exceptionally well in:
- Northeast
- Mid-Atlantic
- Midwest
- Southeast
- Southwest
- West Coast
- Intermountain West
- Pacific Northwest
Behind the Name
Named to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Roald Dahl's birth, this rose was introduced with the approval of his wife, Liccy Dahl. Its glowing apricot coloring was inspired by the famous peach from James and the Giant Peach. Sales of this rose helped raise £100,000 for Roald Dahl's Marvellous Children's Charity, making it a rose with both beauty and purpose.
Why You'll Love Roald Dahl®
- Beautiful warm apricot blooms with classic English rose form
- Fruity tea fragrance adds a fresh, inviting scent to the garden
- Repeat flowering throughout the growing season
- Exceptionally healthy and vigorous with excellent disease resistance
- Rounded, compact growth habit perfect for modern landscapes
- Few thorns make pruning and cutting easier
- Ideal for containers, borders, hedges, and cutting gardens
- Bred by the world-renowned David Austin® Roses
Bring warmth, charm, and storybook beauty to your garden with Roald Dahl®, a David Austin® English shrub rose treasured for its glowing apricot blooms, delightful fragrance, and outstanding garden performance. Its cheerful color, excellent health, and literary heritage make it a truly special addition to any landscape.