About David Austin® Darcey Bussell Shrub Rose

Rosa ‘AUSdecorum’ PP18,717 Darcey Bussell

Darcey Bussell is a beautifully compact English Shrub Rose bred by David Austin® and introduced in 2008 as a tribute to the famed ballerina. Its rich crimson-pink blooms open with a ring of outer petals surrounding an inner cup, gradually forming a full, classic rosette. As the flowers mature, their color softens to a gentle mauve. With a light-to-medium fruity fragrance and repeat blooming throughout the season, Darcey Bussell brings refined charm to borders, beds, and containers.

💐 Plant & Flower Traits
🌹 Rose Type: English Shrub 
🧬 Breeder: David Austin (UK)
🏢 Introduced By: David Austin Roses (USA, 2008)

🎨 Color: Deep crimson-pink, fading to mauve
🌸 Petal Count: Approximately 40+ petals
💠 Bloom Form: Cupped to full rosette
📏 Bloom Size: Medium (~3″)
🔁 Flowering: Repeat flowering from late spring through fall
🏺 Vase Life: Very good — holds shape well
🧴 Fragrance: Light-to-medium fruity scent

🏡 Growth & Garden Habits
🌿 Growth Type: Compact, upright, and bushy
☀️ Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade
❄️ Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5–11
📐 Spacing: ~2–3′
↕️ Height: ~3–4′
↔️ Width: ~2–3′

🛡️ Health & Suitability
💪 Disease Resistance: Strong modern resistance to common rose diseases
🌎 Regional Recommendations:
West Coast • Midwest • Northeast • Mid‑Atlantic • Southeast • Southwest