Introduction & History

Among the David Austin English Roses, few possess the sheer vigor and generosity of 'Crown Princess Margareta'. Introduced in 1999 and named after Crown Princess Margareta of Sweden, a passionate gardener and granddaughter of Queen Victoria, this magnificent variety is one of the most vigorous English Roses ever bred. It produces abundant clusters of large, deeply cupped rosettes in the most glorious shade of apricot-orange, a warm, sunset color that glows with particular intensity in the soft light of morning and evening. The blooms are fully double, beautifully formed, and carried on strong, arching canes that can reach considerable heights, making Crown Princess Margareta equally effective as a large shrub or trained as a climber. The fragrance is strong and fruity, a delicious blend of ripe fruit and tea rose that complements the warm coloring perfectly. This is a rose of exceptional presence that fills its allotted space with abundant bloom and rich fragrance, a fitting tribute to the royal gardener whose name it carries.

Breeding History

Crown Princess Margareta (registered name AUSwinter) was bred by David Austin and introduced in 1999. The variety belongs to Austin's Leander group of English Roses, characterized by vigorous, arching growth and clustered blooms. While the full parentage has not been publicly disclosed, the Leander group roses typically carry genes from Austin's crosses involving modern climbers and shrub roses bred for vigor. The variety was named after Crown Princess Margareta of Sweden (1882-1920), born Princess Margaret of Connaught, a granddaughter of Queen Victoria who was a devoted gardener and landscape designer. She created notable gardens at Sofiero Castle in Sweden. The rose has won multiple awards including the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit, recognizing its outstanding garden performance.

Flower Form & Fragrance

The blooms are large, typically 8 to 10 cm across, and deeply cupped, opening to reveal a beautifully arranged rosette of approximately 80 to 100 petals. The color is a rich apricot-orange, warm and glowing, with occasional peachy tones at the petal edges. The color is remarkably stable in moderate climates, though it may pale slightly in extreme heat. Blooms are produced in generous clusters of three to seven, creating a lavish display of warm color. As individual flowers age, they take on softer, paler apricot tones, adding depth to the overall effect. The fragrance is strong and delightful, a complex fruity perfume with notes of ripe nectarine and tea rose that has been described as one of the most appealing in the English Rose range.

Garden Design & Uses

Crown Princess Margareta is exceptionally versatile due to her vigorous, arching habit. She excels as a large specimen shrub, a climber on walls and fences, or trained over arches and pergolas. The warm apricot-orange color creates stunning combinations with blue and purple flowers such as Geranium 'Rozanne', Nepeta, and Clematis. She pairs beautifully with bronze-foliaged plants and ornamental grasses, and the warm tones harmonize with terracotta pots and brick walls. Plant as a backdrop to lower-growing roses and perennials. For maximum impact, train horizontally along a fence or wall where the vigorous canes will produce blooms along their entire length.

Growth Habit & Hardiness

Crown Princess Margareta is one of the most vigorous English Roses, forming a large, arching shrub that reaches 150 to 180 cm in height and 120 to 150 cm in width when grown as a free-standing shrub. When trained as a climber on a wall or fence, she can reach 250 to 350 cm. The canes are strong, flexible, and arching, bending gracefully under the weight of the clustered blooms. Foliage is mid-green, glossy, and abundant, with good coverage from base to tip. The plant produces vigorous basal growth and responds well to training. Repeat flowering is reliable, with strong flushes in early summer and autumn and intermittent blooms between. The arching habit creates a graceful, fountain-like silhouette.

Climate & Hardiness

Hardy in USDA zones 5 through 10, making Crown Princess Margareta one of the more heat-tolerant English Roses. She performs superbly in a wide range of climates, from cool maritime conditions to warm Mediterranean and subtropical zones. The vigorous constitution enables her to thrive where less robust varieties might struggle. Heat tolerance is very good, though the apricot color may pale in extreme heat. Cold tolerance is excellent to approximately minus 20 degrees Celsius with proper mulching. Disease resistance benefits from the vigorous growth that enables the plant to outgrow minor infections.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Planting & Container Growing

Plant in fertile, well-drained soil enriched generously with compost and well-rotted manure, as the vigorous growth demands abundant nutrients. Ideal pH is 6.0 to 6.5. Prepare a large planting hole, at least 50 cm wide and deep, to accommodate the extensive root system. Space plants 120 to 150 cm apart when grown as shrubs, or 200 to 250 cm apart as climbers. Provide a sturdy support structure if training as a climber, as mature plants carry considerable weight. Full sun is ideal, with at least 6 hours daily. Generous mulching with organic matter supports the vigorous growth.

Container Growing

Crown Princess Margareta is not well suited to container culture due to her exceptional vigor and large ultimate size. If attempted, use an extremely large container of at least 60 to 70 cm in diameter and depth, with excellent drainage. Even in a large container, growth will be significantly restricted compared to open ground. Water daily during the growing season and feed heavily with liquid rose fertilizer every ten to fourteen days. Provide a sturdy support obelisk or trellis. Feasibility rating: 3 out of 10. This rose needs open ground or a generous border to express her magnificent potential.

Seasonal Care & Pruning

Spring: Prune moderately in early March. For shrub growing, remove dead and thin wood and reduce remaining stems by one-quarter. For climbing, train in new canes horizontally and shorten side shoots to two to three buds. Apply generous slow-release fertilizer and thick mulch. Begin preventive spraying if needed. Summer: Deadhead regularly to promote continuous flowering. Water deeply during dry periods, especially when trained as a climber against a wall where soil can dry rapidly. Apply liquid feed fortnightly. Tie in vigorous new canes as they grow. Autumn: Reduce feeding, apply potassium-rich fertilizer. Secure tall or exposed canes against winter winds. Clear fallen leaves. Winter: Mulch generously. Check and maintain support structures. Delay major pruning until spring.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Underestimating the ultimate size and vigor, leading to overcrowding and the need for drastic corrective pruning. Failing to provide adequate support when training as a climber, resulting in cane damage during wind and under bloom weight. Hard annual pruning that removes the arching framework and reduces bloom production. Planting in poor soil without adequate enrichment, which limits the plant's natural vigor. Neglecting to tie in new growth when training as a climber, allowing canes to grow away from the support.

Propagation

Crown Princess Margareta is commercially propagated by budding onto Rosa laxa or multiflora rootstock. The vigorous constitution makes her a relatively successful subject for cutting propagation. Semi-ripe cuttings in late summer root with good success rates. Hardwood cuttings in late autumn are also viable. Softwood cuttings in early summer can be attempted with rooting hormone and mist. The vigorous root system of own-root plants establishes well. The variety may be subject to plant breeders' rights in certain territories. Propagation difficulty is moderate.

Diseases & Pests

Crown Princess Margareta has good disease resistance, benefiting from the vigorous constitution that characterizes the Leander group of English Roses. Blackspot resistance is good, and the plant can tolerate minor infections without significant defoliation due to its abundant foliage production. Mildew is occasionally seen but rarely severe. The robust growth habit means this variety requires less chemical intervention than many English Roses. Aphids colonize new growth in spring. Sawfly larvae may appear on foliage. In warm climates, spider mites can be problematic during hot, dry periods. Overall, this is one of the healthier English Roses and a good choice for gardeners seeking lower-maintenance rose growing.

Cut Flowers & Exhibition

The clustered blooms of Crown Princess Margareta make generous, warm-toned cut flower sprays. Cut individual stems when the first blooms in a cluster have opened and buds are showing color. The strong fruity fragrance is delightful indoors. The arching canes produce long-stemmed blooms ideal for large arrangements. The warm apricot-orange color is stunning in autumn-themed displays. Expected vase life is 5 to 7 days. Combine with blue-purple flowers and autumn foliage for spectacular arrangements.

Collector & Exhibition Notes

Crown Princess Margareta remains in the current David Austin catalogue and is widely available. She is prized by collectors as one of the finest apricot-orange English Roses and among the best for training as a climber. For exhibition, present sprays showing multiple blooms at different stages of development for maximum impact. The large, well-formed individual blooms also compete well in single bloom classes. She is an excellent choice for demonstrating the versatility of English Roses, as she can be shown as either a shrub rose or a climbing rose specimen.

Comparison with Similar Roses

Compared to 'Lady of Shalott', which is also apricot-orange, Crown Princess Margareta is more vigorous and significantly larger, making her more suitable as a climber, while Lady of Shalott is more compact and manageable for smaller gardens. Against 'Pat Austin', Crown Princess Margareta has a more arching, climbing habit and lighter apricot tones compared to Pat Austin's deeper copper-orange. 'Teasing Georgia', another yellow-apricot climber, offers better disease resistance but less intensity of color. Among apricot-orange English Roses, Crown Princess Margareta stands apart for her exceptional vigor and climbing potential.

Heritage & Conservation

Crown Princess Margareta is a modern variety that remains in active commercial production by David Austin Roses. No conservation concerns exist. The variety is displayed in the David Austin gardens at Albrighton and has been planted in gardens connected to the Swedish royal family. It represents an important example of the Leander group within the English Rose range, demonstrating that English Roses can achieve the vigor and scale traditionally associated with climbing roses while retaining the old rose flower form and fragrance.

Cultural Significance

Crown Princess Margareta connects the world of English roses to Scandinavian royal history and the tradition of royal gardening. The naming honors a woman of genuine horticultural passion whose life was cut short but whose gardens endure. The rose embodies the idea that gardening transcends national boundaries, linking English breeding artistry with a Swedish princess's garden vision. The variety has become particularly popular in Scandinavia, where the royal connection resonates strongly, and the vigorous constitution allows it to thrive in the region's demanding climate.

Frequently Asked Questions