Radiant and richly fragrant, ‘The Poet’s Wife’ is a stunning English shrub rose that glows in the garden. Rich yellow blooms gradually soften as they mature, maintaining warmth and depth throughout their display. Each flower features a pleasing formation, with a neat outer ring of petals enclosing a more informal inner cluster.
Its strong, wonderfully rich fragrance carries hints of fresh lemon, becoming sweeter and more pronounced as the blooms age. The plant forms a bushy, nicely rounded shrub with arching branches and rather shiny foliage, offering both structure and elegance.
🌸 Why You’ll Love It
Rich yellow blooms that soften over time
Large, beautifully formed flowers
Strong fruity fragrance with lemon notes
Repeat flowering
Rounded, bushy habit with arching growth
🌿 Shrub Details
Bloom Time: Repeat flowering through the season
Flower Color: Rich yellow
Bloom Size: Large
Petal Count: Approx. 77 petals
Fragrance: Strong, fruity with lemon notes
Habit: Bushy, rounded with arching branches
Light Requirement: Full sun to partial sun
Soil: Adaptable to most well-drained soil types
Hardiness Zones: 5–11
Breeder: David Austin
Year Introduced: 2014
📏 Size
Mature Height: 4 ft
Mature Width: 4 ft
🌼 Landscape Uses
Mixed borders
Rose borders
Containers and patio pots
Cutting gardens
Partial shade plantings
🌹 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.
