Charles Rennie Macintosh – David Austin rose with unusual shades of soft lilac and pink depending on the weather conditions.

This early English Rose variety is still popular today because it has the most unusual colour in the David Austin Roses. The pale lilac is a lovely colour to use in a border of similar roses and though pale, it will stand out and draw the eye because it is so interesting.

Charles Rennie Macintosh (we refer to it as Charles Rennie Mac since this is the longest name of any rose in our list) has quite large flowers, very cupped in shape and filled with a swirling mass of petals. The old rose fragrance is particularly noticeable on a very warm, humid day.

The growth habit is rather upright but of medium height to 1.2 mtrs and it flowers continually throughout the season. The foliage is mid-green and there is a plentiful supply of sharp thorns. Charles Rennie Mac flowers are best in a floating arrangement and the dried petals would enhance a pot-pourri.

• Unusual colour break in English Roses
• Very healthy, free flowering
• Old-rose fragrance