Fighting Temeraire
Best fragrant shrub for gardeners seeking striking, large-scale floral displays.
The Fighting Temeraire rose boasts very large, 4-5 inch blooms with a unique 10-petal count. Its rich apricot color is enhanced by a yellow hue behind the stamens, creating a striking visual. This shrub variety offers a strong, fruity fragrance with a distinct lemon zest aroma, making it a delightful addition to any garden. It forms a spreading habit, ideal for specimen planting or mass arrangements, and its beautiful blooms are also excellent for cutting.
$40.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
1075
/ 2656
#1075 in Plants
Price vs Category Average
-9%
Below average
Flower Size
45
/ - inches across
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking vibrant, warm-toned floral displays
- Fragrance lovers wanting aromatic blooms for indoor enjoyment
- Landscape enthusiasts desiring a long, continuous flowering season
Who should skip it
- Busy homeowners lacking time for regular plant maintenance
- Low-effort gardeners wanting disease-resistant, hands-off varieties
- Urban gardeners with limited space for vigorous shrubs
Performance breakdown
Visual Impact
Large apricot blooms create a dramatic focal point in any garden.
Fragrance Intensity
Bold fruity notes and lemon zest provide a powerful sensory experience.
Cut Flower Utility
Sturdy stems and expansive petals make these ideal for indoor arrangements.
Growth Habit
Spreading structure fills space effectively for lush, mass-planted displays.
Bloom Complexity
Minimalist ten-petal count offers a unique, open aesthetic versus dense doubles.
Landscape Versatility
Adapts seamlessly from standalone specimen planting to expansive garden borders.
Key Specs
Flower Size
4-5 inches across
Petal Count
10 petals
Features
- Large, 4-5 inch apricot and yellow blooms
- Strong fruity fragrance with lemon zest notes
- Spreading growth habit
- Excellent for specimen planting
- Suitable for mass planting
- Ideal for cut flowers
What customers say
Customers consistently praise Fighting Temeraire by David Austin Roses for its exceptional design and robust quality. Enthusiasts frequently highlight the stunning apricot orange blooms, noting their beautiful form and delightful fragrance as key attractions. Many appreciate the plant's vigorous growth and overall health, which contribute to a rewarding gardening experience. The rose is celebrated for bringing significant aesthetic appeal to gardens, embodying the classic English rose charm with impressive resilience.
Know before you buy
This variety features a spreading growth habit, which means it will occupy a wider footprint in your garden compared to upright roses. It is best suited for areas where it has enough room to sprawl, making it an excellent choice for filling out a garden bed or serving as a standalone specimen.
Yes, the Fighting Temeraire is an excellent choice for cut flowers. Its large, 4-5 inch blooms and striking apricot-yellow color make a significant visual impact in a vase, and the strong fruity fragrance will scent your indoor space.
The fragrance is distinctly fruity with prominent notes of lemon zest. It is considered a strong scent, so you may want to plant it near a patio or walkway where you can easily enjoy the aroma.
With only 10 petals, the blooms have a more open, airy look compared to the dense, multi-petaled roses often associated with David Austin varieties. This lower petal count highlights the vibrant stamens at the center, giving the flower a more casual, natural aesthetic.
Absolutely. Because of its spreading habit, it works very well when planted in groups to create a continuous, colorful display. Ensure you provide enough spacing between each plant to allow for proper air circulation.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.