Class: Shrub (English) Introduced: 1993, David Austin Parentage: 'Mary Rose' x 'The Squire' Color: Bright crimson, fading to deep fuschia Petals: Cupped, 4" Fragrance: Strong and sweet Size: 5' x 4' ARS Rating: 8.0

L.D.(short for Leonard Dudley) Braithwaite is probably the best of David Austin's red roses. Crimson flowers reliably repeat and bear an outstanding fragrance when fully opened. This rose has a good growth habit, unlike many of the other Austin varieties which can become hulking menaces.

The flowers are loosely cupped and hold their color quite well, although very warm weather will cause the blossoms to age to magenta. (Unfortunately, the true deep red color did not come through in my photo above.) Blooms are almost continuously on the shrub during the growing season. Disease resistance is average with blackspot being an annual problem.

This rose had a very slight ordeal with mildew in my garden this year while my other roses were plagued with blackspot. Its growth exhibited a very nice bushy form without any of those long arching canes found in some of my other English roses. Hardiness is excellent (as usual with the Austin roses), surviving an absolutely brutal winter with no extra protection.

Named for Leonard Dudley Braithwaite, David Austin's father-in-law.

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