The Poet's Wife® David Austin® English Shrub Rose

Brilliantly golden and wonderfully fragrant, The Poet's Wife® is one of David Austin's finest yellow English roses. Introduced in 2014, this exceptional variety is celebrated for its rich buttery-yellow blooms, intoxicating citrus fragrance, and compact, beautifully rounded growth habit. Combining classic English rose charm with outstanding garden performance, The Poet's Wife® is equally at home in borders, containers, and dedicated rose gardens.

Its large, deeply cupped blooms emerge in a vibrant rich yellow that holds its color beautifully before gradually softening to a warm golden butter shade as the flowers mature. Each bloom is densely packed with layers of delicately arranged petals, creating the luxurious rosette form that has become the hallmark of David Austin roses. Produced generously in repeat flushes from late spring through fall, the flowers provide a continuous display of luminous color throughout the growing season.

One of this rose's most remarkable qualities is its strong, fresh fragrance. The blooms release an intense lemon scent when they first open, gradually developing into a rich, sweet fragrance with hints of ripe citrus that perfumes the garden beautifully.

The Poet's Wife® naturally forms a compact, rounded shrub with healthy, glossy green foliage and exceptional branching, making it an outstanding choice for smaller gardens, mixed borders, decorative containers, and planting near patios where its fragrance can be fully appreciated.

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Key Features

Growing Information

Ideal Uses

✔ Mixed Borders
✔ Cottage Gardens
✔ Decorative Containers
✔ Fragrance Gardens
✔ Foundation Plantings
✔ Dedicated Rose Gardens
✔ Walkways & Patios

Recommended Growing Regions

The Poet's Wife® performs exceptionally well in:

• Northeast

• Mid-Atlantic

• Midwest

• Southeast

• Southwest

• West Coast

• Pacific Northwest

• Intermountain West

Behind the Name

The Poet's Wife® takes its name from the title of a collection of poems by celebrated English poet Carol Ann Duffy, reflecting David Austin's tradition of honoring literature, art, and culture through his rose introductions.

Why You'll Love The Poet's Wife®

• Rich buttery-yellow blooms that hold their vibrant color beautifully

• Strong fresh lemon fragrance that matures into a sweet citrus perfume

• Compact, rounded shrub perfect for gardens of every size

• Abundant repeat flowering from late spring through fall

• Healthy, vigorous growth with attractive glossy foliage

• Ideal for borders, containers, and fragrant garden spaces

• A standout David Austin® variety prized for both color and fragrance

• Brings timeless English elegance and cheerful golden blooms to any landscape

Brighten your garden with The Poet's Wife®, a remarkable David Austin® English shrub rose that combines radiant golden blooms, unforgettable citrus fragrance, and exceptional garden performance. Its compact habit, continuous flowering, and rich color make it one of the finest yellow English roses for creating a garden filled with beauty, warmth, and fragrance throughout the season.