Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
With its velvety, near-black crimson blooms and powerful berry-laced fragrance, Munstead Wood™ English Shrub Rose is truly unforgettable. Named after Gertrude Jekyll’s Surrey garden, Munstead Wood forms a compact, bushy shrub about 3 feet tall and 3½ feet wide, producing deeply cupped flowers that gradually open to reveal lighter outer petals. The color is saturated and dramatic without fading quickly in sun, giving you depth that many red roses lack. Repeat flushes keep the plant active from late spring into fall.
The fragrance is strong and layered, blending classic Old Rose with notes of blackberry, blueberry, and damson. New foliage emerges red-bronze before maturing to mid-green, adding seasonal contrast even when the plant is between bloom cycles. Its shorter, spreading habit makes it ideal for the front of a border, massed for impact, or grown in a substantial patio container. We use Rosa 'Ausbernard' when a border needs richness and scent in a manageable size. The Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit confirms its garden reliability.
Munstead Wood™ English Shrub Rose Care
Choose a planting site in full sun with at least six hours of direct light daily. Work organic matter into the planting area and ensure quick drainage. The soil should have a slightly acidic pH around 6.0–6.8. After planting, water deeply to settle the roots, then irrigate thoroughly when the top layer of soil has dried several inches down. Feed in early spring with a granular rose fertilizer, and provide a second application in early summer to support continued bloom production. A mulch layer helps stabilize soil temperature and reduces surface drying.
Prune in late winter as buds begin to swell, shortening stems by about one-third to maintain its rounded, spreading form. Remove any thin or damaged canes to keep the center open. Deadhead regularly to encourage quicker repeat flowering. In colder climates, mound mulch around the base after the first hard frost for added crown protection.
Munstead Wood™ English Shrub Rose Spacing
Space plants about 3 to 3½ feet apart to allow the shrub’s broad shape to develop fully. For containers, select a pot at least 20 inches wide and deep to accommodate the root system and consistent moisture needs. Pair with silver artemisia or white foxglove to set off the dark crimson blooms.
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!