David Austin® James L. Austin™ Rose Shrub

✓ Ships in 1–5 days How we ship your plants
1 YEAR GUARANTEE

all our plants and trees are now covered by our 1 year guarantee. Learn more

Size
Regular price $138.00
Discount level Cart total
Free Shipping
$249+
10% off any 2 items BUY2GET10
Save 10%
$399+
Save 20%
$599+
Save 25%
$1200+
Bundle 30%
$2000+

Sale ends 5/31 at 11:59PM CST

SEE HOW YOUR TREE ARRIVES
Video thumbnail play
Video thumbnail play
Video thumbnail play
Video thumbnail play
Video thumbnail play
Video thumbnail play
Video thumbnail play
Video thumbnail play
Video thumbnail play

1 gallon, 6"
3 gallon, 8 to 10"
5 gallon, 10 to 12"
7 gallon, 14"
10 gallon, 15 to 17"
15 gallon, 17"
"Jumbo", 7 or 10 or 15 gallon

Please Note: Sizing can differ between plant varieties. Please chat with us if you need clarification.

For more information on sizing, please see our guide.

The James L. Austin™ Rose Shrub is a striking David Austin® English rose known for its rich raspberry-red blooms and classic, deeply cupped flower form. Each bloom is packed with soft petals and releases a pleasant medium fruity fragrance, bringing timeless beauty to rose gardens, cottage landscapes, and mixed borders. This repeat-blooming shrub rose produces waves of vibrant flowers throughout the growing season while forming a dense, elegant shrub with healthy green foliage.

  • Botanical name: Rosa ‘Auspike’
  • Bloom time: Late spring through fall
  • Deciduous
  • Grown in the USA

SUNLIGHT:
Prefers full sun with at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight per day for the best flowering and plant vigor.

WATER:
Water deeply when the top 1–2 inches of soil become dry. Typically about 1–2 times per week during the growing season, though watering frequency may vary depending on climate, soil type, and weather.

IDEAL CLIMATE:
Hardy in USDA Zones 5–10. This shrub rose grows best in temperate to warm climates with full sun, well-draining soil, and good air circulation. It performs well in most regions of the United States when provided consistent watering and proper seasonal pruning.

Note: Like many English shrub roses, the James L. Austin™ Rose may take a growing season or two to fully establish and reach its best blooming performance. Regular deadheading and seasonal pruning will encourage more repeat blooms throughout the growing season.

PLANT DESCRIPTION & MATURE SIZE

James L. Austin™ Rose, scientifically known as Rosa ‘Auspike’, is a stunning David Austin® English shrub rose prized for its deep raspberry-red blooms and classic old-rose form. This fragrant garden rose produces large, cupped flowers with a rich berry fragrance and a full, romantic appearance. With excellent repeat blooming and vigorous growth, the James L. Austin™ rose shrub is a beautiful choice for rose gardens, cottage landscapes, borders, and foundation plantings where vibrant color and classic English rose elegance are desired.

GROWTH RATE & MATURE SIZE:

Moderate growth rate. Typically reaches 4–5 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide at maturity, forming a dense, rounded shrub with upright stems and lush foliage.

WATERING & SUNLIGHT

Water deeply about 1–2 times per week during the growing season, allowing the soil to dry slightly between watering. Roses generally require about 1–2 inches of water per week, though this varies depending on your USDA grow zone, soil type, temperature, rainfall, and local climate conditions. Newly planted roses may require more frequent watering while establishing, especially during hot or dry weather.

James L. Austin™ roses thrive in full sun locations with 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Adequate sunlight promotes vigorous growth, healthy foliage, and continuous flowering throughout the growing season.

PLANT CARE & PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS

PRUNING:
Prune the James L. Austin™ shrub rose in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches to improve airflow and plant structure. Light pruning throughout the growing season, such as deadheading spent blooms, helps encourage repeat flowering and keeps the plant looking tidy.


FERTILIZING:
Feed your English rose with a balanced organic rose fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer formulated for flowering shrubs. Fertilize in early spring as new growth begins and again after the first major bloom cycle to support continued flowering. Avoid over-fertilizing, as excessive nitrogen can lead to lush foliage but fewer blooms.


WINTER PROTECTION:
In colder climates (Zones 5–6), apply 2–4 inches of mulch around the base of the rose shrub in late fall to protect roots from freezing temperatures. In areas with severe winters, mound soil or mulch around the base of the plant to insulate the crown. Remove excess mulch gradually in spring as temperatures warm.

PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS:

Choose a planting location with full sun and well-draining soil to ensure healthy growth and abundant blooms. Dig a hole about twice as wide as the root ball and roughly the same depth, allowing the plant to sit at the same level it was growing in its nursery container. Place the rose shrub in the hole, backfill with soil, and gently firm the soil around the roots to remove air pockets. Water thoroughly after planting and apply a 2–3 inch layer of mulch around the base to help retain moisture and regulate soil temperature. Keep mulch a few inches away from the main stems to prevent rot.

USDA GROW ZONE:

Zones 5-10

The James L. Austin™ English rose grows well in USDA Zones 5–10, making it suitable for a wide range of climates across the United States. In cooler regions such as Zones 5–6, winter protection may help protect the crown during harsh freezes. In warmer regions like Zones 8–10, roses often produce longer blooming seasons and may flower nearly year-round with proper care. This shrub rose performs best in locations with good air circulation, well-draining soil, and consistent sunlight.

Frequently Asked Questions

The James L. Austin™ Rose shrub typically grows to about 4–5 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide at maturity. It forms a dense, rounded shrub with upright stems and abundant blooms, making it ideal for rose gardens, borders, and foundation plantings.

This shrub rose has a moderate growth rate, usually adding about 12–24 inches of new growth per year under ideal conditions. Growth may vary depending on sunlight, soil quality, watering, and climate.

The best place to plant James L. Austin™ Rose is in a location with full sun and well-draining soil. Choose a spot that receives at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily and has good air circulation to promote healthy foliage and abundant blooms.

Plant James L. Austin™ Roses about 3–4 feet apart. This spacing allows each shrub enough room to reach its mature width while promoting airflow, which helps reduce the risk of fungal diseases.

Yes. The James L. Austin™ Rose is a repeat-blooming English shrub rose, meaning it produces waves of blooms from late spring through fall when properly cared for.

Yes. This David Austin® rose is known for its medium-strength fruity fragrance with berry-like notes, making it a popular choice for gardeners who want both beautiful flowers and pleasant scent in the garden.

The flowers are a rich raspberry-red color with large, deeply cupped blooms filled with soft petals. The vibrant color stands out in garden beds and pairs well with other flowering perennials and shrubs.

Yes, this shrub rose can grow in large containers if the pot has good drainage and receives full sun. Choose a container at least 18–24 inches wide and deep to allow adequate root development.

Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Remove dead or damaged wood and lightly shape the shrub. Deadheading spent flowers during the growing season can encourage additional blooms.

James L. Austin™ Rose has good disease resistance compared to many traditional roses, especially when planted in full sun with proper spacing and airflow. Regular care and proper watering practices help maintain healthy foliage.

More Details

We process and ship your order as quickly as possible, typically within 1-3 business days. You will receive a shipping confirmation with tracking information once your item(s) ship.

We have perfected packaging and shipping plants & trees! That is why we DO NOT use any third-party fulfillment like most other online retailers. Your trees go straight from our farm to your door, safely packaged by our team of seasoned professionals. Our process ensures your plants leave our facility and arrive to your door in the best condition possible!

In cases of extreme cold or hot weather, we may temporarily delay shipping to ensure the well-being of your plants. Our primary focus is on delivering healthy and thriving plants to you. Rest assured, we'll make every effort to notify you of any delays promptly.

Please allow additional ship times during inclement weather and sale periods. We do not process or ship orders on the weekend or U.S. Holidays. Simply Trees is not responsible for delays due to carriers, local disruptions, or weather.

See how we pack your plants!

Learn more about our Shipping Policy

At Simply Trees, we're committed to your satisfaction. If your plants arrive considerably damaged or sustained damage beyond the point of recovery, please contact us within five days at sales@simplytrees.com with clear photos of the entire plant in question for assistance. Our 1 year guarantee covers issues after planting, subject to our terms. We can't cover plants in the wrong climate or with inadequate care, but we're here to help in other situations. For a detailed understanding of our 1 year guarantee and how we ensure a fair process, click here to learn more.

All California orders require a mandatory inspection by the Texas Department of Agriculture (yep, it’s a USDA thing!). These inspections happen about once a week—typically on Tuesdays, though the day can vary. If you place an order just after an inspection, your plant may not ship for several days until the next one. Unfortunately, we’re not able to expedite this part of the process.

Also, due to USDA regulations, we’re unable to ship oak trees, citrus or fruit trees (except olive trees) to California. This rule helps prevent the spread of pests and diseases and applies to nurseries across the country.

Thanks for your patience—we’ll make sure it’s worth the wait.

What's inside?

Your order from Simply Trees is more than just a box of plants—it’s a carefully curated experience. Here’s what’s inside:

  • We hand-select our plants for premium-quality from top growers nationwide
  • Each plant is then cleaned, prepped, and pruned to remove any blemishes and encourage new growth
  • Expertly treated and inspected for preventative measure
  • The pot is wrapped in a durable plastic bag and secured with a zip tie; house plants get extra protection with a recyclable nursery bag
  • Your plant is strapped into our durable double-pane boxes, secured in place with a heavy-duty zip tie to ensure safe transit
  • A thank you card with a QR code leads to our guide on welcoming your new plants home

We take pride in making sure every detail is just right, so you can enjoy your new greenery from the moment it arrives.

SUSTAINABLE SHIPPING, QUALITY CARE

We've perfected the art of packaging and shipping plants and trees! Unlike most online retailers, we handle everything in-house—no third-party fulfillment. Our experienced team carefully packages your plants to ensure they arrive from our farm to your door in perfect condition.