English floribunda rose bred by David Austin
Thomas A Becket
Thomas A Becket
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Thomas à Becket is an English shrub rose with rich purplish-red flowers, old rose fragrance with fresh lemon notes and repeat flowering throughout the season. Its natural growth habit, vigorous character and abundant blooms make it suitable for borders, mixed planting and informal garden designs.
Choose it if you want a rose with strong personality, generous flowering and a more natural, relaxed style than many traditional English roses.
Full description →
Full description:
Thomas à Becket stands slightly apart from many English roses. While it shares their beauty and fragrance, it carries itself with a more natural, informal character that feels wonderfully at ease in the garden.
The flowers appear in rich purplish-red tones, opening from simple buds into relaxed rosettes with a less structured appearance than many traditional English varieties. As the blooms mature, the colour softens naturally, creating subtle variation across the shrub and adding depth to the overall display.
Named after the famous Archbishop of Canterbury, Thomas à Becket possesses a certain strength of character that feels fitting for its name. It is not a rose that aims for perfection through symmetry or formality. Instead, it charms through authenticity, vigour and an effortless confidence that becomes increasingly attractive as the plant matures.
The fragrance combines the richness of traditional old roses with fresh notes of lemon zest, creating a scent that feels both classic and lively. Flowering repeatedly and abundantly throughout the season, this rose develops into a substantial shrub that brings movement, colour and character to the garden year after year.
Show less →Characteristics →
Characteristics:
Type: English shrub rose
Creator: David Austin
Colour: purplish-red
Flower: informal rosettes with a natural appearance
Fragrance: old rose fragrance with strong lemon zest notes
Flowering: repeat flowering throughout the season
Height at maturity: approximately 120–140 cm
Width at maturity: approximately 100–130 cm
Growth: vigorous, bushy and naturally informal habit
Use: borders, mixed planting, cottage gardens, informal garden designs
Named after: Thomas à Becket, Archbishop of Canterbury
Delivery format: potted rose or bare-root rose, depending on season and availability
Show less →Frequently asked questions →
Frequently asked questions:
Does Thomas à Becket repeat flower?
Yes. It flowers repeatedly and abundantly throughout the season.
What does Thomas à Becket smell like?
It combines the classic fragrance of old roses with fresh notes of lemon zest.
How is Thomas à Becket different from many English roses?
It has a more natural and informal growth habit, with relaxed flower forms and a vigorous, bushy character that suits less formal garden styles.
What does the rose look like on delivery?
The appearance of the rose depends on the season and the natural stage of growth. For clear explanations, see What roses look like on delivery →
What should I do after planting?
Water deeply after planting and keep the soil lightly moist during the first weeks. For step-by-step guidance, see the planting guide →
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