- Authors: Austin
- Name synonyms: Benjamin Britten, AUSencart
- Breeding year: 2001
- Group: English, bush
- The main color of the flower: red
- Flower shape: cupped to rosette
- Flower size: large
- Diameter, cm: 9-11
- Flower type by number of petals: thick double
- Scent: fruity, with notes of grape wine and pear
English roses are always associated with something very beautiful. These flowers are known all over the world, in particular, the popular selection of David Austin.
These varieties have their own characteristic features that cannot be confused with any other species.
Rose Benjamin Britten is distinguished by lush buds, bright aroma and beautiful shade of petals. The color scheme allows you to use the variety to create flower arrangements, bouquets, and flower beds in landscape design.
Breeding history of the variety
The author of this selection is the British botanist David Austin. He began developing the variety in 1992. They took the seeds of the rose Charles (another name - Ausfather) as a basis and crossed with unknown seeds. The resulting material was planted in 1993. After a rigorous selection, one variety was chosen.
In 1994, the buds of the resulting rose were grafted onto a rose hip, and thanks to this, a new species appeared, which was given the letter designation AUSencart. Then additional tests began, after which it was decided to register the rose. At the same time, Austin decided to rename the culture, naming it after the English composer.
Rose Benjamin Britten entered the market in 2001, and already in 2005 was awarded a diploma.
Description of the variety
Rose belongs to shrub crops, that is, it is a representative of shrubs. Differs in compactness and small crown. On average, with good growth strength, the height of the bush will be from 130 to 180 cm. The width will not exceed 90 cm. An adult bush has powerful erect stems that do not need support. Shoots are dense, strongly branched, with a large number of leaves. There are few spines and they are small in size.
Climbing bushes are sometimes found.
Leaves are strong, medium-sized, light at the beginning of the season, towards the middle they acquire a dark shade. Their position is pinnate, the leaf plate is oblong, elongated with a serrated edging. The surface is slightly glossy.
On the stems, both individual flowers and small inflorescences are formed, which consist of 3-4 buds.
The color range of the petals can be varied - from salmon-pink to orange-red. When fully blooming, red begins to predominate. The color saturation is intense.
The flower is cupped or rosette-shaped in shape. The sizes are large, from 9 to 11 cm in diameter.
By type, the flower is densely double, the number of petals is 100 or 110 pcs.
All flowers are located in low-flowered inflorescences.
The aroma of the buds is bright, strong. It can be described as fruity with slight notes of pear or grape wine.
Advantages and disadvantages
The main advantage of the variety is that flowering begins immediately in the second year after planting. It is abundant and bright.
A perennial rose tolerates frost well, adapts perfectly to weather conditions, while caring for it does not cause any difficulties.
Due to its strong and good immunity, the plant is not attacked by insects or fungal diseases.
Of the minuses, it can be noted that with improper agricultural technology, improper location and due to unfavorable weather conditions, the bush can get sick.
Resistance to precipitation is below average. In heavy rain, some buds can begin to rot from excess moisture. And some just start shedding petals.
Flowering features
Rose Benjamin Britten is a re-flowering crop. The flowering period starts in June and lasts until October.
There are 2 main flowering waves. The first begins in mid-June, and the second, less intense, at the end of August.
Abundant flowering of the bush. Due to the constant renewal of buds, voids on the shoots are almost invisible.
In order for the formation of new flowers not to keep you waiting, it is necessary to remove faded buds in time.
Use in landscape design
The rose is ideal for creating bouquets. Due to the color of the petals, it will fit well into a group composition, and it will also easily become a kind of single accent.
Due to the ornate shoots, the bush is used when framing hedges, arches or gazebos.
Since the culture belongs to the scrub type, this rose can be used in parks or on a garden plot as an edging of walking paths.
Landing
In order for the culture to take root well, it is best to plant the rose in the spring. With an autumn planting, there is a chance that a fragile seedling may not survive the winter, or take root incorrectly, and constantly get sick.
You must first prepare the pit. Its dimensions must be at least 50 cm in diameter and in depth.
The excavated soil must be mixed with compost, peat, and sand, taking into account that the site is loamy and has increased acidity.
Drainage must be done at the bottom of the fossa. For this, broken brick, pebbles or other small pebbles are suitable, which will allow all the excess water to pass through. The drainage is covered with earth a little.
At this time, it is necessary to soak the roots in water for a day, or soak them in damp sand. After that, the root system is trimmed slightly.
The seedling gently sinks to the bottom of the hole and is gradually covered with earth. Each time the layer of earth should be compacted more tightly.
After disembarkation, everything is plentifully spilled with water.
Growing and care
All English rose care is not that difficult. It includes:
watering;
top dressing;
pruning;
loosening;
preparation for winter;
preventive work.
Watering and feeding
Watering rose bushes is carried out 1-2 times a week, depending on weather conditions. In case of heavy rains, the need for the procedure disappears, and in case of drought, the intensity can be increased.
You should not allow the formation of stagnation of liquid or too waterlogged soil, because in this case the bush will begin to hurt, picking up any infection, or it will be attacked by pests.
Top dressing is important, especially from the third year of flowering. Indeed, on average, scrub varieties form more than 200 buds in one season.
In the spring they are fed with nitrogen, in the middle of summer they use potassium, phosphorus and special complex fertilizers for roses.
Pruning
For the whole season, 3 pruning is carried out. Spring - when broken or frozen branches are removed. Summer - when a bush is formed or shoots that have been infected with a disease are removed. And, finally, autumn - when too long shoots are cut, those that began to grow along the ground at right angles, as well as those that were broken.
All sections must be treated with garden varnish, otherwise insects can easily penetrate into the resulting sections. Before wintering, you can remove all the leaves, especially those that have not fallen, because fungal pores or insects can accumulate on them.
Frost resistance and preparation for winter
Rose Benjamin Britten easily tolerates temperatures as low as –29 ° C, which makes it a frost-resistant crop. However, it is recommended to create small shelters from strong winds or icing. For this, frame or frameless shelters are suitable.
Some summer residents recommend pouring mulch 8-10 cm. This will help the ground not freeze so quickly. This means it will keep warm as long as possible.