MACBETH™ – deep crimson English rose - Austin
Rich, dramatic blooms and a reliable shrub habit make MACBETH™ an easy choice when you want an English rose that simply performs. This upright, well-foliaged plant forms a substantial garden structure, carrying deeply cupped rosettes in a velvety crimson colour that recalls classic cottage borders. The very strong, old-rose fragrance drifts across the garden, giving you a sense of established character even in a newer planting. As an own-root rose it settles securely, regenerates well from the base and supports a long, steady ornamental lifespan. With good disease resistance and only modest deadheading needed for neatness, it suits typical British front gardens where winds and wet spells demand a rose that keeps its poise in exposed, breezy coastal situations. Give it a sunny spot with reasonable drainage and space to develop, and over the first few seasons you will see roots consolidating, then stronger shoots, and by the third year a full, mature display that anchors the planting beautifully.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Front garden focal shrub |
The upright, tall habit and dense foliage give instant presence beside a doorway or bay window, while the deep crimson rosettes provide a strong focal point against brick or render in small plots, ideal for those wanting classic impact with limited maintenance for beginners. |
| Romantic cottage-style border |
The full, velvety flowers and old-rose fragrance fit seamlessly into informal, cottage-style schemes, mixing well with perennials and grasses to give a relaxed yet structured look that feels established quickly, appealing to aesthetes. |
| Low-intervention family bed |
Good resistance to common rose diseases keeps MACBETH™ looking healthy with relatively little spraying or fuss, making it well suited to busy households who want reliable flowering and tidy growth without complex routines, reassuring for families. |
| Standalone specimen near seating |
The very strong, garden-filling scent and tall, upright framework make this rose ideal as a single specimen near a bench or patio, where its perfume and colour can be enjoyed at close quarters by garden-lovers. |
| Loose flowering screen or hedge |
Planted in a row at the recommended spacing, its height and dense leaf canopy form a soft, flowery screen that defines boundaries without feeling harsh, suiting smaller plots where privacy and beauty must be combined for homeowners. |
| Mixed shrub and perennial border on breezy sites |
The strong framework and balanced growth help it stand firm where gardens are open to wind and weather, offering dependable structure and colour even in exposed, breezy conditions, a comfort for coastal-gardeners. |
| Cutting patch for scented bouquets |
Large, very double blooms on substantial stems lend themselves to cutting; their intense perfume and romantic form create characterful indoor arrangements, rewarding those who enjoy bringing some of the garden into the house as amateurs. |
| Long-term feature in established beds |
As an own-root shrub it knits into the soil, building a stable, regenerative base that supports many years of flowering with simple yearly pruning, adapting gradually to local conditions and suiting forward-looking planners. |
Styling ideas
- Classic entrance pair – Flank a front path with two MACBETH™ shrubs underplanted with low lavender or hardy geraniums for a traditional welcome – ideal for owners of period or bay-fronted houses.
- Cottage tapestry – Weave MACBETH™ through a mixed border of foxgloves, catmint and scabious to echo a relaxed cottage palette while its height anchors the scheme – well suited to lovers of informal planting.
- Evening fragrance corner – Place near a terrace with white verbena and silvery artemisia so the crimson blooms glow at dusk and scent drifts around seating – perfect for those who unwind outdoors after work.
- Soft boundary hedge – Plant in a loose line with ornamental grasses and perennial companions to create a flowery, semi-transparent screen that feels welcoming rather than solid – good for family gardens needing gentle privacy.
- Statement container – Grow a single plant in a 40–50 litre pot by the front door with simple seasonal underplanting so its colour and scent greet visitors – attractive for balcony or courtyard gardeners with limited borders.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
MACBETH™ – deep crimson English rose (AUSlo); English Rose Collection shrub, romantic rose group; ARS exhibition name ‘Othello’; exhibition category shrub rose. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by David C. H. Austin, United Kingdom, 1986; parentage ‘Lilian Austin’ × ‘The Squire’; introduced and first distributed by David Austin Roses Ltd. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright, tall shrub reaching about 135–225 cm in height and 90–150 cm spread; dense, dark green, slightly glossy foliage; densely thorned stems with a strong, structural outline. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, very double rosette blooms with over 40 petals, mostly solitary; sizeable flowers around 7–10 cm, remontant with a generous second flush after the main early summer display. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep, velvety crimson-red (RHS 60A–60B); buds dark with subtle black shading; colour may lighten with a purplish or mauve tint in strong sun as blooms age. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, garden-filling perfume with a rich old-rose character; one of the more powerfully scented English roses, best appreciated near paths, doors or seating areas. |
| Hip characteristics |
Hip set is generally low due to very double flowers; occasional small ovoid orange-red hips, approximately 9–15 mm diameter, adding quiet seasonal interest in autumn. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Good resistance to powdery mildew and black spot, moderate rust sensitivity; hardy to about −26 to −23 °C (RHS H7, USDA 5b, Swedish zone 4) with reliable overwintering in UK climates. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with well-drained soil; prefers regular watering in dry spells; plant 100–110 cm apart in groups or hedges, 180 cm as a specimen; occasional deadheading and light pruning maintain form. |
MACBETH™ English Rose AUSlo offers richly scented crimson blooms, strong shrub structure and durable own-root growth for long-term planting, making it a thoughtful choice if you would like a characterful, easy-going English rose.
