David Austin® Tess of the d’Urbervilles™ Climbing Rose

Bold color and delightful fragrance for your garden

Bring a touch of elegance to your garden with this vibrant climber, whose large, bright crimson-red flowers will catch the eye of anyone passing by. Complemented by a delightful Old Rose fragrance, these blooms not only look stunning but also fill the air with a sweet, nostalgic scent that evokes memories of traditional gardens. The plant’s compact nature and vigorous climbing habit make it an excellent choice for trellises, arbors, or even as a striking focal point in containers.

Drawing inspiration from one of literature’s most beloved heroines, this climber offers both beauty and depth to your landscape. Whether you're seeking to create a cozy nook for relaxation or simply want to infuse your garden with pops of color, this plant stands out. It performs best with regular care, including watering, feeding, pruning, and deadheading, to maintain its health, shape, and continuous blooming throughout the season.

About David Austin®: David Austin Roses is a family-run breeder with over 60 years of expertise, known for creating exceptional English roses that combine beauty, fragrance, and strong garden performance. Each rose is carefully hand-bred and grown using traditional methods, resulting in distinctive varieties prized for their charm, health, and elegance.

Planting & Care

1. Planting: Plant or repot within 4 weeks of arrival. Choose a sunny spot where the plant can climb and spread over a wall, trellis, or arbor.  For in ground planting, amend the soil with compost and spread a layer of mulch after planting.  For container growth, use a standard potting mix and be sure containers have adequate drainage holes. 

2. Watering: During the first year, water deeply twice a week, adjusting for your local climate.  After establishment, water deeply once a week or more often in times of drought and increased heat.  Always water at the base of the plant and avoid overhead watering and sprinklers, which promote disease.

3. Pruning: Prune in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and encourage new growth. For the first two years, climbing roses are establishing their roots and main framework. Prune lightly during this time, aiming to remove dead or diseased wood. Tie longer canes to your support structure like a fence or trellis and shorten any stems that don’t yet reach the structure. In years three and beyond, continue to tie any long stems to the main framework and prune short stems back by half. Remove older stems at the base, which will encourage new canes that are more productive.

4. Fertilizing: In containers, apply a balanced fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks through mid-summer.  For in-ground plantings, apply a balanced, slow release fertilizer in early spring and again in early summer.