Mary Delany
Best climbing rose for gardeners seeking healthy, thornless, and fragrant blooms.
Discover the Mary Delany® English Climbing Rose, a stunning creation by David Austin Roses named after a celebrated artist and gardener. This rose boasts delicate pointed buds that open to reveal medium-sized, loosely double blooms in a soft light pink. Appearing in abundant sprays over a long season, the flowers eventually expose their golden stamens. Its light-medium Old Rose fragrance, with hints of fruit, adds to its charm. Highly valued for its exceptionally healthy and nearly thornless growth habit, it's an outstanding choice for any garden.
$40.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.6
/ 5
Category Rank
858
/ 2598
#858 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
+2%
Above average
Colour
Light pink
/ Light pink
Who it's for
- Gardeners prioritizing a powerful, classic floral scent
- Romantics seeking a quintessential English garden aesthetic
- Landscape enthusiasts wanting continuous seasonal color
Who should skip it
- Gardeners in humid climates avoiding high-maintenance plants
- Beginners uncomfortable handling sharp, thorny rose canes
- Gardeners in intense sun preferring long-lasting color vibrancy
Performance breakdown
Disease Resistance
Exceptional health profile minimizes the need for chemical interventions.
Handling Ease
Nearly thornless stems make pruning and training a painless experience.
Bloom Longevity
Repeat flowering ensures a consistent display throughout the growing season.
Fragrance Intensity
Subtle Old Rose notes provide a pleasant but non-overpowering garden scent.
Climbing Versatility
Upright growth habit adapts well to various trellis and wall structures.
Climate Adaptability
Robust performance across a wide range of USDA hardiness zones.
Key Specs
Colour
Light pink
Family
English Climbing Rose
Height
Up to 12ft
Bloom Size
Medium
Petal Count
55 petals
Fragrance
Light-medium, Old Rose
Suitable for zones
Zones 4-11
Breeder
David Austin
Features
- Repeat flowering for continuous blooms
- Remarkably healthy and vigorous growth
- Almost entirely thornless stems
- Long blooming season
- Attractive medium blooms with golden centers
- Delicate Old Rose and fruit fragrance
- Excellent garden performance
What customers say
The 'Mary Delany' rose earns high praise, primarily for its exceptional aesthetic and powerful fragrance. Enthusiasts adore the deeply cupped, old fashioned rosette blooms that shift from vibrant pink to softer mauve tones. The intoxicating Old Rose scent, often featuring myrrh notes, is a significant highlight. Gardeners value its vigorous growth and reliable repeat flowering, ensuring extended visual interest. While the beauty is undeniable, some users note that the heavy flower heads can cause stems to droop, requiring support. Additionally, like many premium roses, it needs proactive care against fungal issues in humid areas. Overall, the consensus confirms that its unparalleled beauty and strong scent justify the investment for serious rose lovers.
Know before you buy
This is a climbing rose that reaches a mature height of approximately 12 feet. Because it has an upright growth habit, it is well-suited for training against walls, fences, or sturdy trellises.
The Mary Delany is noted for having almost entirely thornless stems. This makes it a much more comfortable choice for planting near walkways or areas where you might be pruning or deadheading frequently.
Yes, it is a repeat-flowering variety. You can expect blooms to appear in abundant sprays throughout the summer and into the fall.
For the best performance and bloom production, this rose prefers full sun, though it can tolerate partial sun. Ensure it is planted in well-drained soil to keep the root system healthy.
It features a light-to-medium fragrance that blends the classic, traditional Old Rose scent with subtle notes of fruit. It is present but not overpowering, making it a pleasant addition to a garden seating area.
The Mary Delany is quite versatile and is suitable for USDA Hardiness Zones 4 through 10. It is a deciduous shrub, meaning it will go dormant during the winter months.
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$40