Christopher Marlowe
Best compact rose for gardeners seeking vibrant color in small spaces.
Discover the Christopher Marlowe English Shrub Rose, a stunning variety from David Austin Roses. This rose features intense orange-red to salmon-pink blooms with a classic rosette shape, offering a delightful tea fragrance with hints of lemon. Known for its health and reliable repeat flowering, it's perfect for adding vibrant color and literary charm to mixed borders. Its compact size makes it suitable for smaller gardens, providing continuous blooms throughout the summer season.
$40.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.5
/ 5
Category Rank
1593
/ 2594
#1593 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
+2%
Above average
Mature Height
2.5
/ feet
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking a vibrant, multi-toned focal point
- Homeowners wanting continuous color throughout the growing season
- Fragrance lovers who enjoy cutting flowers for indoor displays
Who should skip it
- Gardeners who prefer low-maintenance, thornless shrub varieties
- Residents in regions with harsh, unrelenting summer sun
- Beginners looking for completely disease-resistant rose varieties
Performance breakdown
Bloom consistency
Reliable repeat flowering ensures a vibrant display throughout the summer months.
Fragrance profile
Delicate tea notes with a refreshing hint of lemon zest.
Space efficiency
Compact mounding habit fits perfectly into smaller gardens or borders.
Disease resistance
Robust health makes this a dependable choice for low-maintenance gardeners.
Visual impact
Striking orange-red to salmon-pink hues create an immediate focal point.
Pollinator appeal
Open rosette form provides easy access for local butterfly populations.
Key Specs
Mature Height
2.5 feet
Mature Width
3 feet
Growth Rate
Moderate
Bloom Season
Summer
Foliage Type
Deciduous
Watering Needs
Moderate
Soil Type Preference
Well-Drained
Sunlight Exposure
Full Sun
Features
- Intense orange-red to salmon-pink blooms
- Pleasing tea fragrance with lemon notes
- Reliably free-flowering
- Repeat flowering habit
- Rosette-shaped bloom form
- Ideal for mixed borders
- Compact size for smaller spaces
- Attracts butterflies
What customers say
The 'Christopher Marlowe' rose is highly valued for its intense fragrance and vibrant color. Gardeners consistently praise its strong, complex fruity tea scent, which significantly enhances the sensory experience. The glowing apricot orange hue is frequently described as a garden focal point. Reviewers appreciate its reliable repeat flowering and compact, bushy habit, making it excellent for containers or smaller spaces. This rose successfully balances classic English charm with practical modern performance. While the deep apricot color may pale slightly in extreme summer heat, and standard rose care is needed for disease prevention, overall satisfaction remains exceptionally high. It is a highly recommended, visually stunning, and fragrant addition.
Know before you buy
This is a compact shrub that reaches a mature height of approximately 2.5 feet and a width of 3 feet. Its mounding habit makes it an excellent choice for smaller gardens or the front of a garden bed.
Yes, the Christopher Marlowe is a repeat-flowering variety. You can expect consistent, reliable blooms throughout the summer months.
For the best performance, plant this rose in a location that receives full sun. It requires well-drained soil to thrive and prefers moderate watering.
The fragrance is light to medium in intensity. It features a classic tea scent with subtle, refreshing notes of lemon.
The Christopher Marlowe is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 11. This wide range makes it suitable for many different climates, though you should ensure it is well-mulched in the colder end of its zone range.
Its compact size and vibrant orange-red to salmon-pink color make it ideal for mixed borders. It pairs well with perennials and shrubs, providing a pop of color without overwhelming neighboring plants.
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Ready to buy?
$40