Darcey Bussell - Rose

I’ve been growing this heavenly rose since it was introduced a few years ago. It’s called ..... “Darcey Bussell”, hence the ballet theme !

It’s hard to appreciate through pictures alone just how different this rose is, in both colour and texture.

It is literally as though someone has made a rose from velvet and attached it to a stem, the petals are that sumptuously plump and fully double.


The colour is hard to get over in a photo too however good the light – it’s not as deep as burgundy red and yet it’s not deep pink either; more a crimson with iridescence thrown in for good measure. As the petals open they take on a tinge of mauve as if that wasn’t enough ! It’s eye-catching whatever the weather.

It does have fragrance – light and slightly fruity in a grassy sort of way.

I would recommend it to anyone. True red roses are the hardest to grow, and so Darcey is only available from David Austin Roses, and only at certain times of the year (and depending on stock availability - I had a long wait for mine).


They are priced at £12.95 each or 3 for £32.95 but as they are delivered as bare root plants, delivery times are fixed. The plants are either despatched between early November through to mid December, or from late January to late April, depending on the weather.

The company are currently accepting orders for bare root roses for delivery in November / December 2009.