Shrub rose (Rosa 'Ausland' SCEPTER'D ISLE)
Rosa 'Ausland' SCEPTER'D ISLE is a fragrant Shrub rose offering pale pink, cup-shaped blooms from June to frost. Hardy in Zones 5-10.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Rosa ‘Ausland’ SCEPTER’D ISLE is a highly desirable Shrub rose celebrated for its powerful myrrh fragrance, a signature feature inherited from Old Roses. This cultivar produces lovely clusters of pale pink, cup-shaped blooms that gracefully unfurl to reveal golden centers throughout the season. As a remarkable hybrid development by David Austin, Rosa ‘Ausland’ SCEPTER’D ISLE masterfully blends antique scent with modern repeat-flowering vigor.
This deciduous shrub offers consistent garden performance, reaching a manageable size suitable for many landscape applications. Grown in optimal conditions, this variety is reliably floriferous from early summer until the first hard frost. Gardeners appreciate the combination of aesthetic appeal, fragrance, and the repeat blooming habit provided by this specific Shrub rose introduction.
Its trade name, SCEPTER’D ISLE, evokes a sense of English romance, fitting for a rose bred for beauty and resilience. Effective cultivation focuses on proper siting in full sun and diligent care to ensure continuous flowering and robust health for the Rosa ‘Ausland’ SCEPTER’D ISLE.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Rosaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-10
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 3-4 ft
- Spread: 2-3 ft
- Bloom Time: June to frost
- Bloom Description: Light pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
The ideal location for Rosa ‘Ausland’ SCEPTER’D ISLE is where it receives full sun, although some part shade is tolerated. For the best flowering performance and superior disease resistance, prioritize full sun exposure. Plant in medium moisture, slightly acidic, well-drained garden loams, aiming for planting in late winter or early spring if possible.
Water this Shrub rose deeply and consistently, making sure to water in the mornings to allow foliage to dry before evening. Avoid overhead watering to minimize the risk of foliar diseases. Ensuring good air circulation around the bush is crucial for vigorous growth and disease management. Apply a summer mulch layer to conserve moisture and keep the root zone cool.
Deadhead spent blossoms regularly to stimulate generous reblooming throughout the season. In colder reaches within its range, such as the St. Louis area, take care to protect the crowns over winter. Prune Rosa ‘Ausland’ SCEPTER’D ISLE as needed during the late winter or very early spring dormant period to maintain shape and encourage new wood. Always clean up and destroy fallen diseased or dead leaves seasonally.
Landscape Uses
The compact yet substantial structure of this Shrub rose makes it exceptionally versatile in garden design. It excels when massed as an informal hedge, providing a beautiful, fragrant screen or border definition. Alternatively, Rosa ‘Ausland’ SCEPTER’D ISLE shines as a specimen plant where its pale pink blooms and myrrh scent can be fully appreciated.
These roses are excellent additions to traditional cottage gardens, lending old-world charm alongside perennials like lavender or salvia. They also perform well planted in small groups within borders or positioned near foundations, provided adequate airflow is maintained. Their repeat-flowering nature ensures season-long color interest, making them valuable structural plants in any scheme.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Rosa is a genus of about 150 species of deciduous (occasionally evergreen) shrubs and climbers noted for their beautiful, often fragrant, single, semidouble or double flowers which are borne singly or in clusters on often prickly stems clad with 5-9 leaflets often having toothed margins. Shrub roses are usually large-growing bushes between 4-10 feet tall and as wide. They are a very diverse group of hybrids and usually produce clusters of flowers several times a year but some may bloom just once in spring. They do not require the heavy pruning required of hybrid tea, floribunda and grandiflora roses unless being pruned to control size. Plants can be allowed to grow large with minimal pruning.Genus name comes from the Latin name for rose.‘Ausland’, commonly sold under the trade name of SCEPTER’D ISLE, features small clusters of pale pink cup-shaped blooms that open to reveal golden stamens. Its powerful myrrh fragrance has earned it the Royal National Rose Society Award. Free flowering from summer to autumn. Breeder David Austin successfully combines the flower forms and perfume of Old Roses with the color range and repeat-flowering habits of modern roses. Its trade name SCEPTER’D ISLE originated from William Shakespeare’s romantic, idyllic description of England in the play Richard II: This royal throne of kings, this scepter’d isle… US Plant Patent PP10,969 awarded June 22, 1999
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Roses, including the reliable Shrub rose Rosa ‘Ausland’ SCEPTER’D ISLE, are susceptible to several common fungal diseases, most notably black spot, powdery mildew, and rust. Proactive cultural practices form the best defense, meaning watering correctly and ensuring excellent airflow are critical management tools. In humid climates, expect the need for regular preventative fungicide applications throughout the growing season.
Insect pests such as aphids, scale, spider mites, and rose midges may also target this plant. Inspect foliage regularly, especially new growth, for early signs of infestation. Healthy cultural practices will minimize overall stress, but targeted treatments may be necessary if pest populations become damaging. Always consult local gardening resources for the most effective localized chemical or biological control recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Shrub rose suitable for?
Rosa ‘Ausland’ SCEPTER’D ISLE is hardy across a wide range, suitable for USDA Zones 5 through 10.
How large does Rosa ‘Ausland’ SCEPTER’D ISLE grow?
This Shrub rose typically matures to a height between 3 and 4 feet, with a spread ranging from 2 to 3 feet wide.
When does Shrub rose bloom?
You can expect continuous flowering from this variety starting in June and continuing intermittently until the first frost occurs.
What sun exposure does Rosa ‘Ausland’ SCEPTER’D ISLE need?
For optimal growth, this plant requires full sun, although it can tolerate light shade; however, flowering may be reduced in lower light conditions.
Conclusion
The Rosa ‘Ausland’ SCEPTER’D ISLE remains a garden favorite due to its intoxicating myrrh scent combined with reliable, repeat pink blooms throughout the summer. This beautiful Shrub rose brings classic fragrance to modern landscapes with manageable stature. Before planting, confirm that your location provides the necessary full sun and well-drained soil required for this exquisite specimen.
Companion Planting
When designing borders around your Rosa ‘Ausland’ SCEPTER’D ISLE, consider companions that thrive in similar sun and moisture regimes. Low-growing herbs like Thyme or Lavender make excellent front-of-border choices; their fine textures contrast nicely with the rose foliage, and their fragrant nature complements the myrrh scent without overwhelming it. For vertical interest behind the Shrub rose, consider tall, upright perennials such as Catmint or Hardy Geraniums, which can mask the lower woody stems as the season progresses.
Effective companion planting also helps manage the potential problems faced by roses. Plants that enjoy good drainage and moderate, consistent moisture are ideal neighbors. Avoid overcrowding, as this directly impacts the vital air circulation that helps keep the foliage of your Rosa ‘Ausland’ SCEPTER’D ISLE healthy and disease-free during humid periods.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Specific attention to Rosa ‘Ausland’ SCEPTER’D ISLE during key seasons ensures its best performance. Late winter is the primary time for structural pruning; remove dead or crossing canes and shape the shrub lightly, cutting back to healthy outward-facing buds. In early spring, apply a slow-release rose fertilizer once new growth begins to emerge.
Summer maintenance is focused on hydration and deadheading. Ensure deep, morning watering, especially during dry spells, and regularly pinch off faded flowers to promote the next flush of blooms. As temperatures drop in late autumn, gather all fallen leaves and debris from under the plant to reduce overwintering fungal spores.
Before the ground freezes solid in very cold zones, apply a protective layer of mulch or mound soil around the base of the plant to insulate the crown, protecting your investment in this fragrant Shrub rose. Resume routine disease prevention spraying if conditions warrant once the active growing season begins again.
