The Poet's Wife
Best fragrant shrub rose for gardeners seeking continuous, vibrant yellow blooms.
Introducing 'The Poet's Wife' (Auswhirl), a stunning English Shrub Rose from David Austin Roses. This repeat-flowering rose boasts a captivating, rich fragrance with a subtle lemon note that deepens over time. Its vibrant yellow blooms gracefully soften as they mature, creating an elegant, informal center. The bushy, rounded habit and glossy foliage offer year-round appeal. Enjoy continuous blooms from late spring to early winter, all backed by David Austin's 5-Year Guarantee and lifetime expert support, ensuring your rose flourishes.
$69.99
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
856
/ 2594
#856 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
+78%
Above average
Mature Height
4
/ ft
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking long-lasting, vibrant yellow blooms
- Fragrance lovers prioritizing strong, citrus-scented flowers
- Busy growers wanting low-maintenance, disease-resistant repeat bloomers
Who should skip it
- Gardeners sensitive to handling sharp, thorny stems
- Residents in extreme heat climates wanting consistent color
- Casual hobbyists preferring a hands-off maintenance routine
Performance breakdown
Fragrance Intensity
A potent, complex scent profile that anchors any garden space.
Bloom Longevity
Reliable repeat flowering keeps the garden vibrant from spring through winter.
Adaptability
Thrives across diverse soil types and varying light conditions with ease.
Visual Appeal
Glossy foliage and evolving yellow hues provide constant aesthetic interest.
Container Versatility
Compact, mounding habit makes it a perfect candidate for patio pots.
Support Assurance
The five-year guarantee offers unmatched peace of mind for gardeners.
Key Specs
Mature Height
4ft
Mature Width
4ft
Bloom Season
Summer, Fall
Soil Type
Well-Drained
Container Friendly
Yes
Plant Form
Mounding
USDA Hardiness Zones
Zones 5-10
Sunlight Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
Features
- Exceptional rich fragrance with lemon notes
- Repeat flowering for extended beauty
- Bushy, rounded shrub form
- Glossy foliage adds year-round appeal
- Ideal for cutting and containers
- Thrives in full or partial sun
- Tolerates all soil types
- Backed by a 5-year guarantee
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly praise The Poet's Wife for its exceptional fragrance and reliable performance. The deep yellow hue is highly valued, maintaining its vibrancy well across seasons. Its defining characteristic is the strong, delightful scent, often described as a mix of lemon, citrus, and sweet tea, making it superb for cutting. Gardeners appreciate its vigorous growth and excellent repeat flowering, noting the plant establishes quickly. Health is generally rated highly with good disease resistance. This David Austin rose successfully blends classic form with modern dependability, offering a robust, fragrant yellow specimen that consistently delivers high quality and performance for all levels of gardening experience.
Know before you buy
This rose reaches a mature size of approximately 4 feet in height and 4 feet in width, maintaining a tidy, rounded, and bushy habit.
Yes, 'The Poet's Wife' is well-suited for containers. Ensure you use a large pot with high-quality, well-drained potting mix to accommodate its root system.
While it thrives in full sun, it is versatile enough to perform well in partial sun or partial shade, making it a flexible choice for various spots in your garden.
The blooms feature a strong, fruity fragrance with distinct lemon notes. The flowers start as a vibrant, rich yellow and gracefully soften in color as they mature.
This variety is hardy in USDA zones 5 through 10, making it adaptable to a wide range of climates across the country.
As a repeat-flowering variety, you can enjoy blooms continuously from late spring through early winter, provided the plant is well-cared for.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.