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Abraham Darby (Rosa 'Abraham Darby'), whole plant
  • Abraham Darby — close-up of leaves and flowers
  • Abraham Darby — seasonal appearance
  • Abraham Darby in a garden setting

Abraham Darby

Rosa 'Abraham Darby'

Medium · Some experience

About Abraham Darby

Abraham Darby is one of David Austin's most beloved English roses, introduced in 1985, producing massive fully-double cupped blooms in apricot-pink with yellow undersides and a powerful fruity fragrance reminiscent of strawberries. Growing 5 to 6 feet as a shrub or 10 feet on a support, it blooms heavily from late spring through fall. Widely regarded as one of the finest romantic roses ever bred, treasured in American English-rose collections.

  • Fragrant
  • Long-blooming
WATER
Regular
Top inch dry
LIGHT
Full sun
6+ hrs direct
HARDY
Hardy to -20°F (-29°C)
USDA hardiness zones 5–9

How to care for Abraham Darby

Watering

  • Springevery 5 days
  • Summerevery 3 days
  • Fallevery 7 days
  • Winterevery 14 days

Soil · Rich & loamy

  • Top dressingBark mulch15%
  • Main mixRich loam + compost 3:170%
  • DrainageGravel15%

Use fully finished compost — fresh compost burns roots.

FERTILIZER

Balanced Feed 14-14-14

An even feed covers all three needs at once, keeping leaves, roots and blooms moving together with nothing pushed out of balance.

N33%P33%K33%
  • Nitrogen · Leaves
  • Phosphorus · Roots + Blooms
  • Potassium · Strength
  • Springevery 30 days
  • Summerevery 30 days
  • Fallevery 45 days
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At a Glance

  • Height5–8 ft (1.5–2.4 m)
  • Spread4–6 ft (1.2–1.8 m)
  • Flower colorOrange, Pink
  • Foliage colorGreen
  • SoilLoamy, Well-drained, Rich
  • LocationsYard

Bloom time

BLOOM CYCLE

Peak bloom

May–Sep

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Huge apricot-pink cupped blooms with fruity fragrance, deadhead for repeat

Fragrance

STRONG FRAGRANCE

Strong fruity scent with strawberry and lemon notes.

Toxicity

Humans Slight

Unknown toxic principle

Slight

  • Stem
  • Contact

EXPOSURE Touching stems.

EFFECT Pricks from thorns.

NOTE Not toxic; thorns cause mechanical injury.

Safe

EXPOSURE No exposure route is reported.

EFFECT No toxic effect is reported.

NOTE Listed as non-toxic for dogs; avoid eating ornamental plants unless confirmed edible.

Safe

EXPOSURE No exposure route is reported.

EFFECT No toxic effect is reported.

NOTE Listed as non-toxic for cats; avoid eating ornamental plants unless confirmed edible.

Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

History

Illustrated historical scene for Abraham Darby

Rosa 'Abraham Darby' is an apricot-pink English shrub rose bred by David Austin at Albrighton, England, released in 1985 from a cross between the climber 'Aloha' and 'Yellow Cushion'. Austin named the cultivar for Abraham Darby I, the Quaker ironmaster of Coalbrookdale who developed the coke-smelting process that made the Industrial Revolution possible. The deeply cupped quartered blooms are among the largest of any English Rose at thirteen to fifteen centimeters across, opening in rich warm shades of apricot, salmon, and peach with paler cream reverses, and fading gracefully as they mature.

A strong fruity fragrance with notes of strawberry and lemon complements the color. The arching shrub reaches 1.5 meters and blooms continuously from late spring to hard frost; in warm climates it can be trained as a small climber to three meters.

It marked a milestone in Austin's breeding, marrying old-rose cupped form with powerful fruity fragrance and has become a cornerstone of American English rose gardens.

Symbolism & meaning

What It Symbolizes

Abraham Darby Rose is industrious romance — David Austin named its for the Quaker ironmaster who pioneered the Industrial Revolution, an unusual honor for a deeply old-fashioned cupped bloom. Its fruited fragrance carries notes of strawberry and ripe apricot, a reminder that even an industrial age has its tender, scented corners. It is the rose for those who believe romance can be rebuilt from anything, including iron.

  • Industrious romance — honors Industrial Revolution pioneer
  • Fruited fragrance — strawberry-scented cupped blooms

Where the Name Comes From

Named for Abraham Darby I (1678-1717), English Quaker ironmaster whose Coalbrookdale ironworks launched the Industrial Revolution.

Uses & Fun Facts

  • Cupped apricot blooms carry powerful fruity strawberry perfume
  • Massive double English roses for romantic cottage bouquets
  • Trains to ten feet on obelisks and pillars

Related plants

More Rosa plants

Plants with similar care

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water Abraham Darby?

In summer, water about every 3 days; in winter, about every 14 days. Adjust for heat, pot size and drainage.

How much light does Abraham Darby need?

Full sun: 6+ hrs direct. Watch the leaves — scorching or stretching means the light needs adjusting.

Is Abraham Darby toxic to cats or dogs?

Pets Safe (Dogs Safe · Cats Safe) Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

Is Abraham Darby easy to grow?

It is moderately demanding: a good choice once you have a little experience.

When does Abraham Darby bloom?

It typically blooms May–Sep in the Northern Hemisphere.

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