Rich in color and character, ‘Gabriel Oak’ is a magnificent English shrub rose from David Austin. Medium-sized, many-petalled rosette blooms open in a striking shade of deep pink, with outer petals that soften slightly as they mature. The effect is lush and romantic, enhanced by a wonderful, strong fruity fragrance.
A vigorous grower, Gabriel Oak forms a broad, rounded shrub with distinctive mulberry-purple stems and dark green foliage, creating an overall impression of richness and abundance in the garden.
🌸 Why You’ll Love It
Deep pink, many-petalled rosette blooms
Strong, fruity fragrance
Repeat flowering throughout the season
Broad, rounded, vigorous habit
Dramatic stems and dark green foliage
🌿 Shrub Details
Bloom Time: Repeat flowering through the season
Flower Color: Deep pink
Bloom Size: Medium
Fragrance: Strong, fruity
Habit: Broad, rounded shrub
Light Requirement: Full sun
Soil: Adaptable to most well-drained soil types
Hardiness Zones: 4–11
Breeder: David Austin
Year Introduced: 2019
📏 Size
Mature Height: 4 ft
Mature Width: 4 ft
🌼 Landscape Uses
Mixed borders
Rose borders
Rose hedges
Containers and patio pots
Cutting gardens
📖 Behind the Name
Named after the beloved character in Thomas Hardy’s Far from the Madding Crowd, Gabriel Oak reflects strength, warmth, and enduring 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.
