The Captivating Lady of Shalott Rose Climber

The Lady of Shalott is a gorgeous climbing rose bred by the renowned rose hybridizer David Austin. With its rich, warm colors and lovely fragrance this rose makes a stunning focal point in any garden. In this article, we’ll take an in-depth look at this romantic rose and provide tips for growing and caring for Lady of Shalott.

An Overview of Lady of Shalott

Lady of Shalott is an English climbing rose introduced by David Austin in 2009. Its namesake comes from the poem “The Lady of Shalott” by Alfred, Lord Tennyson, commemorating the 200th anniversary of his birth.

This repeat-blooming rose produces large, chalice-shaped flowers in a blend of orange, salmon, and yellow hues. The buds start out a rich orange-red before opening to reveal loosely arranged orange petals surrounded by softer salmon-pink outer petals. The reverse of the outer petals is a striking golden yellow.

In addition to its beautiful warm colors, Lady of Shalott also has a lovely Tea rose fragrance with hints of spiced apple and cloves. Its blooms appear in clusters along the length of its long flexible canes providing a continuous display of color from late spring through fall.

As a climber, Lady of Shalott can reach heights of around 8 feet tall with a spread of 3 to 5 feet wide. It has an upright, arching growth habit, making it well suited for growing on fences, arbors, pergolas, and pillars. This versatile rose can also be grown as a free-standing shrub rose by pruning it to shape.

Growing Conditions for Lady of Shalott

Lady of Shalott is hardy in USDA zones 4 through 11. This means it can withstand cold winter temperatures as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit.

As far as sunlight, Lady of Shalott thrives in full sun exposures but can tolerate partial shade Provide at least 6 hours of direct sun per day for the best flowering and growth. Morning sun is ideal

Lady of Shalott is adaptable to most well-draining soil types including clay, loam, and sandy soils. The soil should have a pH between 6.0-7.0 for optimal growth. Before planting, amend the soil with a few inches of organic compost to enrich nutrients and improve drainage.

Like other climbing roses, Lady of Shalott needs strong support to grow upwards. Install a trellis, pillar, obelisk, or wall at least 5-6 feet tall at planting time. Position the support facing east, south, or west to maximize sun exposure.

Planting and Care Tips

• Planting: Lady of Shalott can be purchased bare root or in a container. For bare root roses, plant them in early spring once the threat of hard frost has passed. Dig a hole 12-18 inches deep and wide enough to accommodate the root system. Place the rose in the hole and backfill with soil, watering well after planting. For container roses, you can plant anytime during the growing season.

• Watering: Water thoroughly after planting and provide 1-2 inches of water per week during the first year to establish an extensive root system. After establishment, water deeply as needed during droughts.

• Fertilizing: Feed Lady of Shalott once in early spring, again in mid-summer, and a final time in fall with a balanced rose fertilizer. Organic options like compost and manure can also be used.

• Pruning: In early spring, remove any dead or damaged canes. Then cut back remaining stems to 6-8 inches from the ground to promote new growth. Remove suckers that emerge from the rootstock throughout the season.

• Winter Care: In very cold climates, mound soil or mulch over the base of the plant for insulation after the first hard frost. Resume spring pruning once wintry weather has passed.

Problems and Solutions

• Black spot: This fungal disease causes round black spots on leaves and can lead to defoliation. Improve air circulation and immediately clean up fallen foliage. Apply neem oil or fungicides as a preventative measure.

• Japanese beetles: These metallic green beetles skeletonize leaves and flower buds. Hand pick them into soapy water. Treat with neem oil or insecticides if infestations persist.

• Powdery mildew: This fungal disease coats leaves with a white powdery substance. Prune out affected growth and apply neem oil. Ensure good air flow around plants.

• Aphids: These small sap-sucking insects cause distorted growth. Knock them off with a strong spray of water and treat with insecticidal soap. Ladybugs also prey on aphids.

Where to Use Lady of Shalott in the Landscape

With its upright growth habit, abundant flowers, and flexibility for training, Lady of Shalott has diverse applications in the garden. Here are some ideal uses for this climber:

• Grow on a pillar as a vertical accent in a perennial border or cutting garden.

• Train horizontally along a fence or trellis against a wall or blank backdrop.

• Allow it to freely ramble over an arbor or pergola to create a colorful ceiling.

• Flank an entryway on pilasters or columns for a romantic cottage look.

• Grow up one side of a garden shed or garage to soften hardscape.

• Plant in rows along a property fence line for waves of multi-season interest.

• Place in a large container on a patio, flanking steps, or as part of an urban garden.

Summary of Lady of Shalott’s Top Features

What makes Lady of Shalott such a coveted rose among gardeners? Here’s a quick recap of some of its top qualities:

• Gorgeous large, double blooms in eye-catching shades of orange, salmon, and yellow
• Delightful warm Tea rose fragrance
• Long bloom season from late spring through fall
• Excellent disease resistance
• Introduced and bred by expert rose hybridizer David Austin
• Versatile growth habits for fences, pillars, walls, and more
• Hardy and adaptable growing conditions

With its romantic old-world charm, the Lady of Shalott rose promises to be a treasured addition to cottage gardens, perennial borders, and landscape beds. Give this captivating climber a spot to shine and enjoy its majestic beauty for years to come.