Graceful and luminous, ‘Desdemona’ is a refined English shrub rose from David Austin. Peachy pink buds open into elegant white, chalice-shaped blooms with a soft blush hue. Incurved petals create a beautiful interplay of light and shadow, giving each medium-sized flower remarkable depth and dimension.
The strong Old Rose fragrance carries layered notes of almond blossom, cucumber, and lemon zest, making Desdemona as delightful to experience as it is to behold. Its neat, rounded, bushy habit makes it ideal for borders, containers, and rose hedges.
🌸 Why You’ll Love It
Elegant white blooms with soft pink blush
Strong Old Rose fragrance with fresh citrus notes
Repeat flowering
Neat, rounded shrub habit
Excellent for cutting and hedging
🌿 Shrub Details
Bloom Time: Repeat flowering through the season
Flower Color: White with soft pink tones
Bloom Size: Medium
Petal Count: Approx. 52 petals
Fragrance: Strong, Old Rose with almond and citrus notes
Habit: Neat, rounded, bushy
Light Requirement: Full sun
Soil: Adaptable to most well-drained soil types
Hardiness Zones: 5–11
Breeder: David Austin
Year Introduced: 2015
📏 Size
Mature Height: 4 ft
Mature Width: 3 ft
🌼 Landscape Uses
Mixed borders
Rose borders
Rose hedges
Containers and patio pots
Cutting gardens
📖 Behind the Name
Named after the tragic heroine in Shakespeare’s Othello, Desdemona embodies classic romance and timeless beauty.
🌹 What Makes an English Rose Different?
English Roses, bred by David Austin, combine the charm of old-fashioned roses with the reliability of modern varieties. They are known for:
🌸 Full, many-petalled blooms with classic rosette form
🌿 Strong fragrance, often with notes of myrrh, fruit, honey, or Tea
🔁 Repeat flowering throughout the season
🌼 Shrub or climbing habits that blend beautifully into mixed borders
💪 Improved disease resistance compared to traditional heirloom roses
Unlike many modern landscape roses that focus primarily on durability and mass color, English Roses emphasize romance, fragrance, and intricate bloom form while still offering dependable garden performance.
They’re ideal for cottage gardens, mixed borders, cutting gardens, and vertical accents — anywhere you want timeless beauty paired with modern resilience.
