The Prince – AUSvelvet crimson-red English shrub rose
Step out after rainfall and you can imagine a narrow path edged with velvet blooms of ‘The Prince’, their deep crimson-purple tones settling beautifully into a small London front garden or shared urban courtyard. This compact English shrub rose is naturally bushy, staying within 80–130 cm, so it suits tight spaces and modest family plots without overwhelming your planting scheme. Large, very double rosette flowers appear in generous flushes through the season, offering romantic colour for borders, low hedges or a single specimen near the door. The fragrance is intensely classic, a powerful old-rose perfume that hangs in the air on humid evenings and pairs well with rainwater-saving, low-input planting that copes well with wind and showers along exposed streets. As an own-root rose, it builds a durable framework for a long garden life, with roots establishing in year one, top growth following in year two and full ornamental value by year three. Thoughtful spacing makes maintenance straightforward: a little deadheading, seasonal feeding and reliable watering are usually enough to enjoy years of colour. Ideal for peat-free composts in the ground or in large 40–50 litre containers, it supports a visually balanced, sustainable front garden while leaving you time to enjoy its fragrance rather than constant chores.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Compact London front garden specimen |
The Prince’s modest height and bushy habit create a strong focal point without dominating a narrow terrace frontage, giving structure around steps or railings while remaining manageable for occasional pruning and deadheading, particularly suited to the busy urban homeowner beginner |
| Low romantic hedge along a path |
Planted at about 55 cm apart, plants knit into a low, velvety wall of deep crimson to purple rosettes, defining paths or driveways and providing repeat colour across the season with only moderate trimming and tidying, appealing to those seeking soft, traditional structure homeowner |
| Mixed shrub and perennial border |
Its rich crimson-red blends well with softer grasses, lavender and nepeta, and the rosette form adds textural contrast among simpler flowers while medium care needs mean you can rely on seasonal performance without constant attention, ideal for relaxed, naturalistic borders hobby-gardener |
| Feature rose in a large container |
In a 40–50 litre pot with peat-free compost and steady moisture, this English shrub rose forms a dense, upright bush with showy, scented blooms close to seating areas, yet remains easy to water and feed on a balcony or paved front, convenient for space-limited gardeners urban-resident |
| Cut-flower harvest from the home garden |
Long-stemmed, solitary blooms with over 40 petals make sumptuous, long-lasting indoor arrangements; the very strong, classic old-rose scent perfumes small rooms, allowing you to pick generously through summer while the plant regrows robustly from its own-root base flower-lover |
| Wind-exposed, rain-battered street planting |
A sturdy, moderately dense framework and medium disease resistance suit typical British showers and breezy corners, especially where sustainable planting has to cope gracefully with frequent rain and shifting light in compact front gardens along weather-beaten urban streets sustainability-minded |
| Long-term structural planting in family gardens |
The own-root form builds a durable, non-grafted shrub less prone to suckering, regenerating well from the base after pruning or winter damage, so the rose keeps its ornamental value over many years with simple, once-a-year shaping and light ongoing care time-poor |
| Evening seating and fragrance corner |
With very strong perfume detectable from a distance, this variety excels near benches or patios where you can appreciate its old-rose character in still evening air after rain, requiring only moderate upkeep for a reliably scented, calming focus to the space fragrance-seeker |
Styling ideas
- Velvet-entrance – Frame a narrow front step with two container-grown plants in 50 litre pots, underplanting with trailing thyme for softness – ideal for urban residents wanting maximum effect from minimal space
- Crimson-ribbon – Create a low, gently curving hedge along a path, interspersed with pockets of lavender and catmint for a romantic, fragrant walk – suited to families seeking welcoming front gardens
- Evening-nook – Position near a small bench with soft grasses and white perennials so the rich blooms glow at dusk while scent fills the air – perfect for busy professionals unwinding after work
- Cottage-mix – Combine with gypsophila, clematis and informal perennials in a mixed border to echo traditional cottage gardens in a modern plot – for hobby gardeners who enjoy relaxed, naturalistic schemes
- Balcony-bouquet – Grow a single shrub in a large, stable container with peat-free compost and good drainage, clipping a few stems for indoor vases – aimed at flat dwellers wanting real roses, not annual bedding
Technical cultivar profile
| Property | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
English shrub rose from the English Rose Collection, registered as AUSvelvet, marketed as The Prince; a romantic crimson-red Austin rose classified in the shrub and modern romantic rose groups. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred in the United Kingdom by David Charles Howard Austin around 1990 from ‘Lilian Austin’ × ‘The Squire’; registered in 1992 and introduced later by David Austin Roses Limited. |
| Awards and recognition |
Recognised in several American rose shows as a Modern Shrub Rose between 1999 and 2000, including Augusta, Watauga Valley, Greater Rochester and Pacific Southwest District events. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Bushy shrub, 80–130 cm tall and 70–120 cm wide, with moderately dense, matt dark green foliage and numerous prickles; spent blooms self-clean moderately and usually benefit from regular deadheading. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, solitary, very double rosette blooms with more than 40 petals; remontant, producing an abundant second flush, making it suitable for cutting and for repeat flower display through the season. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Velvety deep crimson-red opening shade, ARS code DR, RHS 60A outer and 61B inner; colour deepens towards royal purple as blooms age, with only slight lightening in strong sunlight and generally good retention. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, classic old-rose perfume that is noticeable from a distance, lending a luxurious, traditional scent profile particularly effective near paths, windows or seating areas where air movement is gentle. |
| Hip characteristics |
Hip set is generally sparse due to the very double flowers; small, spherical, orange-red hips 6–10 mm in diameter may form occasionally, adding subtle late-season interest without heavy fruiting. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Rated RHS H7, hardy to about −26 to −23 °C and suitable for USDA zone 5b; medium resistance to black spot, mildew and rust, requiring routine but not intensive disease monitoring and care. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with regular watering and fertile, well-drained soil; plant 65 cm apart for borders or 55 cm for hedging, with 2.4–2.7 plants/m² for massed schemes and occasional pest and disease checks. |
The Prince (AUSvelvet) offers compact structure, sumptuous repeat flowering and powerful fragrance on a long-lived own-root shrub; a thoughtful choice if you would like a richly coloured, enduring feature rose.
