Abraham Darby Rose Plant – Apricot English Rose Bush, Large Fragrant Blooms, 5-7 Inch Tall Starter

Overview

Welcome the timeless elegance of the Abraham Darby Rose Plant into your garden. This exceptional English rose is celebrated for its breathtaking beauty and captivating fragrance. Known for its stunning apricot and light pink blooms with lighter edges, the Abraham Darby Rose Plant displays a charming old-fashioned, quartered form that is truly a sight to behold. Each large bloom, averaging 5 inches in diameter and boasting up to 70 petals, exudes a strong, delightful fruity fragrance that will enchant any garden visitor. Whether you’re a seasoned rose enthusiast or new to gardening, this versatile and hardy shrub promises to be a rewarding addition, offering continuous beauty and a sensory experience.

This live plant is a favorite among gardeners seeking both visual appeal and a rich perfumed aroma. Its robust growth habit allows it to be cultivated as a stately shrub or trained as a magnificent Climbing Rose, providing flexibility for various garden designs. The glossy, dense medium-green foliage provides a perfect backdrop, making the vibrant apricot and pink flowers truly pop. Prepare to transform your outdoor space with the classic charm and intoxicating scent of this remarkable rose.

Key Benefits

Adding the Abraham Darby Rose Plant to your landscape offers a multitude of benefits, from its aesthetic appeal to its adaptability:

• Stunning Apricot & Pink Blooms: Enjoy large, full, and cluster-flowered blooms with beautiful apricot and light pink hues, featuring lighter edges. Their charming old-fashioned, quartered form adds a touch of vintage elegance to any garden setting, making it a focal point.

• Intoxicating Fruity Fragrance: One of the most cherished features of this rose is its strong, delightful fruity fragrance. The sweet scent will permeate your garden, creating a wonderfully aromatic environment and enhancing your outdoor living experience.

• Versatile Growth Habit: The Abraham Darby Rose Plant can be grown as a tall, arching shrub, reaching 4 to 10 feet in height, or easily trained as a magnificent Climbing Rose. This versatility allows it to adorn walls, trellises, arbors, or simply stand alone as a grand specimen.

• Ideal for Cut Flowers: With its large, captivating blooms and long stems, this rose is perfect for cutting and bringing indoors. Create stunning floral arrangements that fill your home with its beautiful appearance and strong, sweet scent.

• Hardy and Resilient: This rose is known for its hardiness and robust nature, making it a reliable choice for various climates and garden conditions. Its resilience ensures a healthy and flourishing plant with proper care.

• Lush Foliage: The medium-green, glossy, and dense foliage provides a striking and healthy backdrop for the vibrant blooms. This rich greenery maintains ornamental interest even when the plant is not in full flower.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

To ensure your Abraham Darby Rose Plant thrives and produces its magnificent blooms, proper care is essential. This rose generally prefers a sunny location to achieve its best flowering performance. Aim for at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. In hotter climates, some afternoon shade can be beneficial to prevent petal scorching and prolong bloom life. Good air circulation is also important to prevent fungal diseases, so avoid overcrowding when planting.

Watering should be consistent, especially during dry periods and while the plant is establishing. Deep watering once or twice a week is generally more effective than frequent shallow watering, as it encourages deeper root growth. The soil should be well-draining, rich in organic matter, and slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.0). Incorporating compost or well-rotted manure into the planting hole will provide essential nutrients and improve soil structure. Fertilize in early spring and again after the first flush of blooms with a balanced rose fertilizer to support continuous flowering. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage new flower production.

The Abraham Darby Rose Plant is hardy in USDA zones 5-9. In colder zones, provide winter protection by mounding soil or mulch around the base of the plant. Prune in late winter or early spring to remove dead or weak wood, shape the plant, and encourage vigorous new growth. For those training it as a Climbing Rose, gentle tying to a support structure will guide its growth. Watch for common rose pests like aphids and spider mites, and treat promptly with organic or appropriate insecticides if necessary. Maintaining good garden hygiene, such as promptly removing fallen leaves, can also help prevent disease.

Size & Details

You will receive a Abraham Darby Rose Plant as a starter plant, typically 5-7 inches tall, shipped without a pot to ensure safe and efficient transport. Upon arrival, it should be planted promptly in a suitable location in your garden or a larger container. This rose is renowned for its vigorous growth, quickly establishing itself in your landscape. As a tall and arching shrub, it can reach impressive dimensions of 4 to 10 feet in height and spread 3 to 5 feet wide, creating a substantial presence in your garden. When trained as a Climbing Rose, it can extend even further, covering trellises or walls with its beautiful foliage and abundant blooms.

The large, captivating blooms average 5 inches in diameter, featuring approximately 70 petals each, contributing to their full and charming old-fashioned appearance. While the initial starter plant will be small, with proper care, you can expect it to grow into a robust and floriferous specimen, blooming from late spring through fall. The glossy, medium green foliage remains attractive throughout the growing season, providing a lovely contrast to the apricot and pink flowers. This plant offers excellent value and a rewarding growing experience for any gardener.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big will my Abraham Darby Rose Plant get? A: As a shrub, the Abraham Darby Rose Plant typically grows 4 to 10 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide. When trained as a Climbing Rose, it can reach even greater heights depending on the support structure provided.
• Q: What condition will the starter plant arrive in? A: Your Abraham Darby Rose Plant will arrive as a healthy starter plant, approximately 5-7 inches tall, and will be shipped without a pot. This method helps reduce shipping shock and allows for easier planting upon arrival.
• Q: How much sun does this Apricot English Rose need? A: This rose thrives in full sun, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for optimal growth and abundant flowering. In very hot climates, some afternoon shade can be beneficial.
• Q: Is this rose easy to care for, making it suitable for beginners? A: While roses require consistent care, the Abraham Darby Rose Plant is considered a relatively hardy and vigorous variety. With attention to sunlight, watering, and occasional feeding, beginners can successfully grow this beautiful rose.
• Q: What kind of soil is best for this Fragrant Rose Bush? A: The Abraham Darby Rose Plant prefers well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. A slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0) is ideal for healthy growth and nutrient absorption.
• Q: When can I expect my Old English Rose to bloom? A: With proper care, your Abraham Darby Rose Plant will typically begin blooming in late spring and continue to produce flushes of flowers throughout the summer and into the fall, offering continuous beauty.
• Q: Can the Abraham Darby Rose Plant be grown in a container? A: Yes, this rose can be grown in a large container, especially if you plan to train it as a smaller shrub or have limited garden space. Ensure the container has good drainage and use a high-quality potting mix.
• Q: Is the fragrance really strong on this rose? A: Absolutely! The Abraham Darby Rose Plant is highly prized for its very strong, delightful fruity fragrance. It’s one of its most appealing characteristics and will fill your garden with a wonderful aroma.
• Q: What USDA zones is this rose suitable for? A: The Abraham Darby Rose Plant is hardy in USDA Zones 5-9. Gardeners in colder zones may need to provide additional winter protection.
• Q: How often should I fertilize my Abraham Darby Rose Plant? A: Fertilize your Abraham Darby Rose Plant in early spring when new growth begins, and then again after the first major flush of blooms. Use a balanced rose fertilizer according to the product’s instructions.