Thomas A Becket Rose - David Austin

This is a variety of very different character from the general run of English Roses, being rather closer to the Species Roses than to the Old Roses and more natural and shrubby in growth. A striking crimson-red; the individual flowers can best be described as shallowly cupped, opening as informal rosettes; the petals quickly reflexing as the flowers age. They are held in medium-sized heads; the individual blooms nodding attractively on the stem. They have an Old Rose fragrance with a strong lemon zest character. It forms a strong, rather informal shrub. Named for Canterbury Cathedral.

David Austin Roses were not developed for Zone 3. BUT it is possible to have success here in Manitoba by following a few key tips. 

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You have three options, you can enjoy your David Austin Rose for a single season. You can plan to bring your potted David Austin Rose into a warmer winter environment, or you can plant it into the ground.

If you decide to enjoy your rose for the summer:

Feel free to drop your potted David Austin Rose into a decor pot of your liking, but do not pot it up into a larger size planter. You do not want to set back your rose. We use our Rose and Perennial Mix when potting up all our David Austin Roses and other than fertilizing your rose every other week they are simple to care for. In our experience you should have blooms from late June right through till fall.

If you decide to grow and over winter your rose in a pot:

 First, you must be sure you have a place to overwinter your David Austin Rose and you should pot up your rose into a planter large enough for min of 2 years growth, using our rose and perennial mix. 

Do not use pro mix. 

A heated garage or sunroom that can be set between -2C and -5C. You will also need to keep your rose away from doors that open to -35C or colder. Your Rose needs to go dormant for a few months. Once the temp is over zero C you will see your rose begin to send out new shoots. At this point natural light is necessary and the temperature should not go below -1C at night. It is important to keep your shrub moist but not wet. Check temperature regularly. Do not bring it into the house! Roses can handle cool nights and warmer days.

If you decide to plant your rose in the ground:

Choose a location that is not in line with strong north winds

Plant the crown (this is where the roots end and the woody shrub begins) of your rose 6”-12” below the surface of the soil. As your shrub will be in full leaf at time of purchase you can clean off leaves that will get buried if you like.

In the fall you will need to cover with a deep layer of mulch. Wood mulch, straw, leaves or a combination of all. Use a burlap tarp (Not Plastic) to cover and hold down with rocks or stakes. This will ensure the mulch is not blown away. A full wheelbarrow or more per rose is not out of the question. Throughout the winter direct your snow clearing efforts to cover your roses as well. The more insulation the better.

Don’t remove the tarp and mulch until night temperatures are consistently hovering about zero to +3 with no threat of deep freeze, as we sometimes see in April.

We hope you enjoy growing your David Austin Rose.