Introduction & History

When David Austin introduced 'William Shakespeare 2000' in the year 2000, he was making a bold statement: here was a rose worthy of replacing its predecessor, the original 'William Shakespeare' of 1987, which despite its magnificent blooms had been plagued by poor disease resistance. The new variety delivered on every promise. It produces blooms of the deepest, richest crimson imaginable, flowers that open as perfect deep cups before maturing into large, flat, quartered rosettes of extraordinary complexity and beauty. As the petals age, they take on mesmerizing purple and mauve tones, creating a living canvas of color that shifts and evolves over the life of each bloom. The fragrance is equally commanding: a deep, rich, classic old rose perfume that ranks among the finest in the entire English Rose collection. William Shakespeare 2000 is everything the original aspired to be, with the crucial addition of the robust constitution needed to thrive in real gardens. It stands as one of Austin's supreme achievements in dark-flowered English Roses and a fitting tribute to the greatest name in English literature.

Breeding History

William Shakespeare 2000 (registered name AUSrodon) was bred by David Austin and introduced in the year 2000 as a direct replacement for the original 'William Shakespeare' (AUSroyal, 1987). The original variety had won enormous admiration for its superb bloom form and fragrance but suffered from severe blackspot susceptibility that made it difficult to grow successfully in many climates. Austin's breeding program spent over a decade developing a worthy successor that would retain the magnificent bloom quality while offering dramatically improved disease resistance. The result was William Shakespeare 2000, which maintained the deep crimson coloring, quartered rosette form, and powerful old rose fragrance of the original while delivering far more reliable garden performance. The variety quickly became one of the most popular and critically acclaimed dark English Roses.

Flower Form & Fragrance

The blooms are large, typically 10 to 12 cm in diameter, opening from attractive rounded buds into deeply cupped flowers that gradually flatten and develop a magnificent quartered rosette form with a pronounced button eye. Each flower carries 80 to 120 petals arranged in complex, swirling quarters of exceptional beauty. The color upon opening is the deepest, purest crimson, gradually developing rich purple and mauve overtones as the bloom ages, creating a succession of dramatic color stages. The fragrance is superb: a deep, warm, intensely rich old rose perfume that has been described as one of the finest in the world of modern roses. The scent has notable carrying power and will perfume the surrounding garden generously.

Garden Design & Uses

William Shakespeare 2000 creates a stunning focal point wherever it is planted. The deep crimson-to-purple blooms demand attention and work best against lighter backgrounds where their intensity can be fully appreciated. Plant with soft pink roses such as 'Heritage' or 'Queen of Sweden' for magnificent contrast. Combine with silver-foliaged plants, white flowers, and blue-purple perennials like salvias, nepeta, and Geranium 'Rozanne' for a regal planting scheme. The deep coloring pairs beautifully with purple-leaved heucheras and dark ornamental grasses. Position prominently near garden seating to enjoy the extraordinary fragrance. Groups of three make a theatrical statement in any border.

Growth Habit & Hardiness

William Shakespeare 2000 forms a robust, upright to slightly spreading shrub reaching 100 to 120 cm in height with a spread of approximately 75 to 100 cm. The habit is bushy and well-branched, with strong, sturdy canes that support the heavy blooms without excessive drooping. Foliage is mid-green to dark green, semi-glossy, and abundant, providing a strong backdrop for the dark flowers. Thorn density is moderate. The plant produces reliable basal growth and branches well, creating a full, well-furnished shrub. Repeat flowering is very good, with successive flushes from early summer through autumn. The compact, manageable size makes it suitable for smaller gardens.

Climate & Hardiness

Hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9. William Shakespeare 2000 performs well in a range of temperate climates. The deep crimson blooms show their finest color in moderate temperatures and may fade more quickly in extreme heat. Light afternoon shade in hot climates helps preserve the rich coloring. Cold tolerance is good to approximately minus 20 degrees Celsius with proper winter mulching. The variety handles humidity better than many dark-flowered roses, thanks to its improved disease resistance. Performance is excellent across the United Kingdom, Northern Europe, and temperate North American regions.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Planting & Container Growing

Plant in fertile, well-drained soil enriched with generous quantities of well-rotted manure and garden compost. Ideal pH is 6.0 to 6.5. Dig a planting hole at least 45 cm wide and deep. Space plants 75 to 90 cm apart for border groupings. Full sun is preferred for maximum flowering, with light afternoon shade acceptable in hot climates to preserve bloom color. Plant the bud union 5 cm below soil level in cold climates. Apply 5 to 8 cm of organic mulch, keeping it away from the stem base. Good drainage is critical for long-term health.

Container Growing

William Shakespeare 2000 is one of the better English Roses for container culture due to its compact, bushy habit. Use a container at least 45 to 50 cm in diameter and depth, filled with quality loam-based compost with added perlite. Water consistently to maintain even moisture, as the heavy blooms demand adequate hydration. Feed fortnightly with liquid rose fertilizer during the growing season. Position in at least 6 hours of direct sunlight. Feasibility rating: 7 out of 10. The compact growth and manageable size make it a genuinely viable container rose.

Seasonal Care & Pruning

Spring: Prune in early March, removing dead and weak wood. Reduce strong stems by one-third to one-half, cutting to outward-facing buds to maintain an open center. Apply slow-release rose fertilizer and renew mulch. Begin preventive fungicide spraying as leaves emerge. Summer: Deadhead regularly and promptly to encourage continuous blooming. Water deeply during dry periods. Apply liquid feed every two weeks through the main flowering season. Monitor for aphids and treat as needed. Autumn: Reduce feeding gradually. Apply potassium-rich fertilizer to harden wood before winter. Clear fallen leaves meticulously. Winter: Mulch the base with 10 to 15 cm of compost or bark. In the coldest zones, mound soil around the base for additional insulation.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Planting in excessive shade, which severely reduces the intensity of bloom color and the frequency of repeat flowering. Comparing it unfavorably to the original William Shakespeare without acknowledging the vastly superior disease resistance. Allowing spent blooms to remain on the plant too long, reducing energy available for the next flush. Failing to water deeply during drought, which causes premature petal drop in the heavy blooms. Planting in poorly drained soil, which this variety resents strongly.

Propagation

William Shakespeare 2000 is commercially propagated by budding onto Rosa laxa or multiflora rootstock. Softwood cuttings in late spring root with fair success using rooting hormone and mist propagation. Semi-ripe cuttings in late summer are the most reliable method for home propagators. Hardwood cuttings in late autumn have variable results. The variety may remain under plant breeders' rights in some jurisdictions, and propagation for commercial sale should be verified against current licensing requirements. Propagation difficulty is moderate.

Diseases & Pests

William Shakespeare 2000 offers significantly improved disease resistance compared to its predecessor. Blackspot resistance is good, markedly better than the original William Shakespeare, though not immune. Mildew resistance is moderate to good. In favorable growing conditions with adequate air circulation, the variety can be grown with minimal chemical intervention. However, in persistently wet or humid climates, preventive spraying remains advisable. Aphids colonize new growth in spring. Japanese beetles are attracted to the dark, fragrant blooms. Thrips may damage developing buds in hot weather. Rose sawfly larvae occasionally appear. Overall health is substantially improved over the original variety.

Cut Flowers & Exhibition

William Shakespeare 2000 is a magnificent cut flower. Cut when blooms are at the deep cup stage, before they flatten fully, for the longest vase life and most dramatic presentation. The color evolution from crimson through purple continues in the vase, providing an ever-changing display. Harvest in early morning, recut stems under water, and remove lower foliage. The powerful old rose fragrance will fill a room. Expected vase life is 5 to 7 days. Dark-colored vases complement the blooms beautifully.

Collector & Exhibition Notes

William Shakespeare 2000 remains in the current David Austin catalogue and is widely available. It is considered one of the essential dark English Roses for any serious collection. For exhibition, the quartered rosette form at full maturity is spectacular and highly competitive. The evolving color from deep crimson through purple provides exceptional visual interest. Collectors often grow both this variety and its predecessor (where available) to compare and appreciate the breeding advance. The variety excels in both individual bloom and spray classes at rose shows.

Comparison with Similar Roses

Compared to the original 'William Shakespeare', this variety offers dramatically improved disease resistance with comparable bloom quality, making it the clear choice for garden planting. Against 'Munstead Wood', William Shakespeare 2000 is taller and more upright with larger individual blooms, while Munstead Wood is more compact with superior health. Compared to 'Falstaff', William Shakespeare 2000 has a more compact habit and its mature blooms are flatter and more fully quartered, while Falstaff produces more deeply cupped flowers. All three are outstanding dark English Roses with distinct characters.

Heritage & Conservation

William Shakespeare 2000 is a modern variety that remains in active commercial production. No conservation concerns exist. The variety is maintained in the David Austin display gardens and is available worldwide through authorized retailers. It represents a significant achievement in modern rose breeding, demonstrating that a breeder's willingness to replace a beloved but flawed variety with an improved successor can result in a genuinely superior garden plant. The original William Shakespeare has become increasingly rare and is primarily found in specialist collections.

Cultural Significance

The naming of a rose after William Shakespeare, the supreme figure of English literature, places an extraordinary expectation on the variety. That David Austin felt compelled to breed a second, improved version underscores both the importance of the name and the commitment to living up to it. William Shakespeare 2000 represents the marriage of English literary heritage with English horticultural excellence. The variety is frequently planted in gardens with literary themes and in Shakespeare-related sites, including gardens at Stratford-upon-Avon. It embodies the enduring cultural connection between English roses and English literature.

Frequently Asked Questions