PlantFiles: English Rose, Austin Rose Rosa 'Graham Thomas'
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Family: Rosaceae (ro-ZAY-see-ee) (Info) Genus: Rosa (RO-zuh) (Info) Cultivar: Graham Thomas Additional cultivar information: (aka AUSmas, Lemon Parody, English Yellow) Hybridized by Austin; Year of Registration or Introduction: 1983
Height: 4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m) 6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m) 8-10 ft. (2.4-3 m)
Spacing: 4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m) 6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
Hardiness: USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F) USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F) USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F) USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F) USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F) USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F) USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F) USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F) USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F) USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F) USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F) USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
Bloom Color: Deep yellow (dy)
Bloom Shape: Double
Flower Fragrance: Very Fragrant
Bloom Time: Mid Summer Blooms repeatedly
Habit: Shrub
Patent Information: Non-patented
Other Details: Resistant to black spot Resistant to mildew Resistant to rust
Pruning Instructions: Blooms on new wood; prune early to promote new growth
Soil pH requirements: 5.6 to 6.0 (acidic) 6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
Propagation Methods: From softwood cuttings From semi-hardwood cuttings From hardwood cuttings By grafting By budding
On May 15, 2012, FlowersinZone9 from San Jose, CA wrote:
I have a 2-year-old Graham Thomas that is about 8-9 feet tall and 4 feet wide. It is blooming nicely but the flowers have no fragrance. Does anyone know how to remedy this problem? I bout it because I had read it was one of the most fragrant roses available.
On Feb 1, 2010, aythya_americana from Perrysburg, OH wrote:
Mine hasn't had much new growth for some time, and I have suspicions that it may be on its way out. Notwithstanding the bad condition of the bush itself, the flowers are gorgeous.
On Jan 27, 2010, killdawabbit from Christiana, TN (Zone 6b) wrote:
I love Graham Thomas. So far my 2 year old own-root plant has remained between 3 and 4 ft. with no sprawl. No blackspot or mildew. Blooms continuously. One of its best traits is its habit of shedding its petals before they turn ugly.
First season with my 'Graham Thomas' ... and we're already having a complicated relationship. It was a planted from a container in January.
The blooms are quite superb, large 'old rose' with a faint pleasant aroma. Cut flowers last in the house as long if not longer than any rose I've ever grown.
On the other hand, the plant itself is just odd. I've never had a 'shrub' rose behave like it does. My nursery person said 4 to 5 feet for our area, but we're already past 5 and show no signs of stopping. The canes don't seem substantial enough to support the flower. They just flop. Every which way. They head for the ground like a carpet rose when the buds get full.
When winter arrives it will definitely be moved to a corner or place where it can be supported. We'll see if it improves with some cutting back and pruning after the first bloom this year.
On Sep 25, 2008, kdaustin from Austin, TX (Zone 8b) wrote:
Giant pile of fungus. Always. One of the worst performers I have ever grown, which was so dissapointing. Maybe its the high humidity? Tried it for 3 years, than yanked. Yes I probably could have sprayed it more, but when all my other roses have no/little problems with the same regimen it looks like Graham was a loser. Flowers are real pretty though.
On Oct 2, 2006, crowellli from Houston, TX (Zone 9a) wrote:
I've had 5 different David Austin roses and this one wasn't outstanding, but not bad enough to pull up and discard. In the Houston climate, it was close to 10' and more like a climbing rose in that it needed support and pegging in order for the entire limb to bloom, otherwise it bloomed only on the end of each cane. Not the outstanding in any way.
On Jan 6, 2006, Moonglow from Corte Madera, CA wrote:
This is a great rose for 10a. I planted a couple end of June and by December 2005, reached 7'. The blooms are simply gorgeous. Competes with the lush, dark-green foliage.
Looks like mine are going to be monsters this year, and I'm so psyched!
On Jun 18, 2005, llebpmac_bob from Zephyr Canada wrote:
Can be grown in zone 4 with consistant snow cover. It will die back to level of the snow but soon grows back in the summer. I have had it get over 7 feet tall if the weather is right for it. Needs support in my opinion and is better grown against a house or barn, and can use a trellis. Excellent bloomer and not overly blackspot prone for a yellow rose.
On Oct 2, 2003, Lionheart from Slingerlands, NY wrote:
Will grow in Zone 5 unprotected, but is slow to start and never quite seems to get his act together. The winter and spring of 2002-2003 were quite harsh and not kind to him. He probably should have been protected and is pouting this year. Still, the blooms are a lovely shade of yellow and nicely fragrant.
Could go either way on this one but, when Graham was enjoying milder winters, he was too beautiful to replace.
Austin - 1983
Seedling x (Charles Austin x Iceberg seedling).
Flowers are fully double, deeply cupped, of medium size with a Tea Rose fragramce. Color is a rich, butter-yellow.
David Austin describes it's growth as upright, to 4' tall. However, in warmer climates it can reach 10' or more. Growth is strong, breaking freely at almost every joint to produce flowers.
Produces a flush of bloom in Spring, sporadic blooms through summer.
Regional...
This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:
Phoenix, Arizona Clayton, California Corte Madera, California Fairfield, California La Jolla, California Laguna Beach, California Oakland, California San Anselmo, California San Jose, California (2 reports) San Leandro, California Parker, Colorado Asbury Lake, Florida Braselton, Georgia Marietta, Georgia Hampton, Illinois Lincolnwood, Illinois Lombard, Illinois Washington, Illinois Old Jefferson, Louisiana Alfred, Maine Bar Harbor, Maine Cochituate, Massachusetts Mashpee, Massachusetts Choteau, Montana Elmwood, Nebraska Amherst, New Hampshire Slingerlands, New York Southold, New York Baltimore, Ohio Columbus, Ohio Mogadore, Ohio Perrysburg, Ohio Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Beaverton, Oregon West Wyomissing, Pennsylvania Dentsville, South Carolina Christiana, Tennessee Eagleton Village, Tennessee Knoxville, Tennessee Anderson, Texas Houston, Texas (2 reports) Katy, Texas Rowlett, Texas Serenada, Texas Wyldwood, Texas Farr West, Utah Suffolk, Virginia Alger, Washington Anacortes, Washington Artondale, Washington Millwood, Washington Seattle, Washington
2 vendors have this plant for sale.
