Ausvelvet – The Prince (AUSvelvet) – crimson-red English shrub rose propagation material
Premium own-root Ausvelvet propagation material gives you a stable base for container production where flower quality and classic English romantic appeal are central to your range. This David Austin shrub rose combines very double, rosette blooms in a velvety crimson-purple shade with a full, old-rose fragrance, positioned clearly as an exclusive finished product for retail and reseller channels. As a pharmaROSA® NEONATAL tray-rooted cutting, Ausvelvet supports predictable premium-container routes (5–7 L now, and 40–50 litre options for high-impact specimens) with bush-trained structure and 3–5 strong canes, suitable for thematic rose collections and show gardens. Own-root material builds long-term stands that regenerate well under production loads, with development typically moving from root consolidation in year one, stronger framework shoots in year two, and full ornamental expression from year three, offering reliable, high-value colour and scent even in cooler northern UK locations with good winter tolerance in exposed sites, while fitting smoothly into nursery network scheduling and wholesale supply planning for finished assortments across retail and collection-led projects.
Usage options
Finished-product ideas
- Premium 6 L English Rose shrub – NEONATAL bush-trained Ausvelvet finished in 5–7 L pots, highlighting velvety crimson rosette blooms and very strong fragrance as an exclusive romantic focal shrub – retail / reseller premium rose benches
- Fragrance collection duo-pack – Pair Ausvelvet with another high-scent cultivar in matched 5–7 L containers, using own-root stability to ensure homogeneous flowering and repeat flush across the set – branded thematic fragrance ranges
- 40–50 L statement specimen – Step selected 5–7 L Ausvelvet into 40–50 litre tubs for dramatic, scented specimen pieces, exploiting the bushy framework and colour depth for entrances and show-garden displays – landscaper and project channels
- Collector’s English Rose line – Curated English Rose series including Ausvelvet, using NEONATAL stock for reliable identity and long-term collection maintenance, positioned on flower quality, form and heritage breeding – specialist rose nurseries
- Border and cut-flower shrub concept – Market Ausvelvet in 5–7 L as a dual-purpose border and cutting rose, using remontant flowering and large, solitary blooms to justify a premium price point – independent garden centres
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Registered as AUSvelvet with current trade use as Ausvelvet English Rose AUSvelvet, marketed in retail as The Prince within the English Rose romantic shrub segment for premium ornamental use. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by David Charles Howard Austin in the United Kingdom from ‘Lilian Austin’ × ‘The Squire’, registered in 1992 and introduced after 1992 by David Austin Roses Ltd. as an English shrub rose. |
| Awards and recognition |
Recognised in multiple Modern Shrub Rose show classes, including Augusta Rose Society Show 1999, Watauga Valley Rose Society Show 1999, Greater Rochester Rose Society Show 2000 and Pacific Southwest District Show 2000. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Bushy shrub habit, 80–130 cm high and 70–120 cm spread, with moderately dense, matt dark green foliage, densely thorned shoots and moderate self-cleaning requiring regular deadheading to maintain presentation. |
| Flower morphology |
Very double, rosette-form blooms with more than 40 petals, large (approximately 2.75–3.95 in) solitary flowers on stems, remontant with an abundant second flush suitable for premium ornamental and garden cut use. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Velvety deep crimson-red base that deepens towards royal purple; ARS code DR, RHS 60A outer and 61B inner, with colour shifting to purple-lilac as blooms mature and only slight lightening in strong sun. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Very strong, classic old-rose perfume noticeable from a distance, giving a full, perfumed character that strongly supports positioning in fragrance-led ranges, while the very double form limits pollinator value. |
| Hip characteristics |
Hip set is generally low due to very double flowers; where present, small spherical orange-red hips of about 6–10 mm may form, offering limited ornamental effect and minimal seed production value. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Medium disease resistance across powdery mildew, black spot and rust; requires occasional plant protection. Winter hardy to around –26 to –23 °C (RHS H7, Swedish Zone 4, USDA 5b) with medium heat and drought tolerance. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Recommended as a border, cut-flower-capable shrub and specimen rose. Medium maintenance with deadheading and occasional pest and disease control, best routed through premium container production from bush-trained NEONATAL stock. |
Ausvelvet offers velvety, award-recognised flower quality, intense fragrance and own-root longevity for predictable, regenerating premium shrub stands; please contact us to coordinate volumes, timelines and integration into your container programmes.
