Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Fiery salmon-red blooms that deepen to glowing pink set Benjamin Britten English Shrub Rose apart from every other Austin in the border. Rosa ‘Ausencart’ produces medium, deeply cupped flowers that open into slightly looser rosettes, each one saturated with unusual red-orange tones. The color holds and even intensifies as the bloom ages, giving the shrub a layered, painterly effect. A rich fruity fragrance with hints of wine and pear adds depth without overwhelming the space.
Named for the celebrated English composer, Benjamin Britten carries that sense of drama into the garden. The shrub grows dense and upright to about 4½ feet tall and 4 feet wide, making it substantial without becoming unruly. It flowers in repeat flushes from early summer onward, keeping strong color in the mix when softer tones fade. Semi-glossy green foliage provides a clean backdrop for the saturated blooms. Use it as a focal shrub, anchor it in a mixed border, or train a few long canes slightly for added height.
Benjamin Britten® English Shrub Rose Care
Plant in a sunny location with at least six hours of direct light for best flowering and color development. Choose a well-drained, organically enriched planting site that neither stays soggy nor dries out completely. Water deeply during active growth, especially in heat, allowing the upper layer of soil to dry slightly before watering again. Apply a balanced rose fertilizer in spring as new growth begins and again after the first flush to support repeat bloom.
In early spring, remove any winter-damaged or weak stems and shorten remaining canes to maintain a strong framework. Throughout the season, cut back spent blooms to encourage quicker rebloom and maintain shape. Good air circulation helps reduce fungal issues, particularly in humid climates. In colder zones, mound mulch around the base after hard frost to protect the crown through winter.
Benjamin Britten® English Shrub Rose Spacing
Space plants about 4 feet apart so the dense habit can mature without crowding. For container growing, use a pot at least 20–22 inches wide with excellent drainage to support its vigorous root system. Pair it with ornamental grasses for contrast, deep blue delphinium for vertical drama, or bellflower for a cool counterpoint to its warm tones.
Why It’s Called That
Benjamin Britten®
This rose is named in honor of the famous 20th-century English composer and conductor Benjamin Britten.
Benjamin Britten® English Shrub Rose Information
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2026. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
| Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
|---|---|
| Zone 10 | March 30th |
| Zone 9 | March 30th |
| Zone 8 | April 6th |
| Zone 7 | April 13th |
| Zone 6b | April 20st |
| Zone 6a | April 27th |
| Zone 5b | May 4th |
| Zone 5a | May 11th |
| Zone 4 | May 18th |
| Zone 3 | May 25th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!