Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
Price range: Contact Us
Rating: 4.8/5

mary rose rose bush

The Mary Rose rose bush is a top choice for gardeners looking to add classic English charm to their garden. Famous for its repeat-flowering habit, exquisite old rose fragrance, and romantic, soft pink blooms, the Mary Rose rose bush transforms any outdoor space into a true haven. Whether you're creating a cottage garden, a formal rose bed, or simply searching for a reliable and robust flowering shrub for your home in New Zealand, the Mary Rose rose bush delivers enduring beauty and delightful fragrance all season long.

An elegant Cistus lusitanicus white flower with red spots.

Cistus lusitanicus (Rock Rose)

Cistus lusitanicus, commonly known as the Gum Cistus, is a striking evergreen shrub valued for its large, white blooms marked with deep crimson spots at the base of each petal. Flowering from late spring into summer, it produces a vibrant display above aromatic, grey-green foliage. This hardy, drought-tolerant shrub thrives in poor soils and hot, sunny positions, making it ideal for low-maintenance, Mediterranean-style, or coastal gardens. Its showy flowers and tough nature make it a favourite with landscapers and gardeners alike.

Buy Cistus lusitanicus (Rock Rose)

From $24.23

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate

Plant type: Shrubs

Height: 60 cm

Spread: 60 cm

Flowering time: Spring, Summer

Tolerances: Coastal, Extended dry periods, Hardy

Garden uses: Borders, Containers, Living areas, Paths & Steps, Patios, Pool areas

Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Coastal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern, Rock

Rose Diamonds Forever

Rose Diamonds Forever is a popular shrub rose that features masses fragrant, soft-yellow flowers. The showy blooms emerge in spring and continue until autumn. The foliage comprises small-sized, dark green leaves which provide a lovely backdrop to the flowers. This deciduous plant typically grows to 1 m tall and the same wide. Rose Diamonds Forever is commonly included in a mixed or border planting, included in a courtyard or cottage garden, maintained in a container, or included anywhere the beauty and fragrance can be appreciated.

Buy Rose Diamonds Forever

From $63.38

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Rose Plants

Height: 1.00 m

Spread: 1.00 m

Flowering time: Spring, Summer, Autumn

Garden uses: Borders, Living areas, Paths & Steps

Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Cottage, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern

Why Choose the Mary Rose Rose Bush?

Rosa 'Mary Rose' is admired for its generous clusters of medium-sized, full-petaled flowers. Each blossom exudes a delicious, myrrh-like scent that easily fills the air, making this bush a favourite for both novice gardeners and seasoned rosarians. The Mary Rose rose bush also stands out for its hardiness and disease resistance, traits that make it a reliable performer even in unpredictable New Zealand weather.

Growth and Uses in the Garden

With its upright yet gently arching growth habit, the Mary Rose rose bush reaches around 1.2 metres in height and spreads to about 1 metre wide. Its bushy, vigorous nature makes it perfect as a central feature in mixed borders, as part of a flowering hedge, or as a standalone statement piece near entrances or pathways.

If you prefer your roses with a more sculpted form, consider the Rose Mary Rose Standard. This standard rose version elevates the stunning Mary Rose blooms above the foliage, adding height and drama to garden beds or containers.

Planting and Care

Plant your Mary Rose rose bush in a site with at least six hours of direct sunlight for optimal flowering. Good drainage is essential, so enrich the soil with compost and mulch well during the growing season. Regular feeding with a rose-specific fertiliser will encourage prolific blooms and healthy, robust foliage. Pruning after the main flush of blooms keeps your Mary Rose tidy and encourages a second round of spectacular flowers.

Pairing Your Mary Rose Rose Bush

The soft pink of the Mary Rose pairs beautifully with other garden classics, lending itself to harmonious planting schemes. Consider adding companion plants like perennial geraniums, lavenders, or foxgloves for a layered, pollinator-friendly space. For rose collectors, Rose Diamonds Forever provides a striking contrast with its intricate bicoloured blooms, while Hemerocallis Rose Cherub (Rose Daylily) can bring additional structure and seasonal colour to the garden.

Fancy incorporating a drought-tolerant alternative with a similar delicate flair? The Cistus lusitanicus (Rock Rose) offers a profusion of white, paper-like blooms and thrives in New Zealand’s sunniest spots.

Shop Mary Rose Rose Bushes in New Zealand

Bring the classic beauty and scent of the Mary Rose rose bush to your garden. Explore our full selection of English shrub roses, including Rosa 'Mary Rose', and find the perfect addition for your landscape. With the right care, your Mary Rose rose bush will provide endless enjoyment year after year.

Contact us

Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.