Christopher Marlowe is a David Austin rose.  It is probably not one of his most stunning roses but it has several fine characteristics:  its growing habit, its profusion of blooms and its unusual colour, to name a few.

I find the colour of Christopher Marlowe’s blooms particularly charming. They start out orange pink with a yellow button eye.  The petals pale to salmon pink as the flower ages. The flowers are medium sized.  They are cupped as buds but become rosette shaped as they mature, with the outer petals eventually falling back.

Rose books regularly claim that a rose will bloom continuously throughout the season but most will have a distinct spring and autumn flush.  With Christopher Marlowe, I can honestly say it is continuously in bloom and the blooms are not scorched by the summer sun.  The roses in the photos were picked after two consecutive 40+°C days.

Christopher Marlowe’s growth is short, about 1.2 metres, but very vigorous and broad.    David Austin recommends it for a hedge.  The foliage is medium green and polished, with small, shiny leaves.

Christopher Marlowe is a member of David Austin’s Leander Group – I have 14 in this group so stay tuned.  (See also Ambridge Rose, Jubilee Celebration, Benjamin Britten, Grace & Pat Austin.)

As I have previously mentioned, all roses in this Group have Aloha (bred by Boerner in 1949) as the foundation parent.  This group includes some beautiful roses, therefore, Aloha must have had some pretty good genes.

Christopher Marlowe was named after the famous playwright and contemporary of William Shakespeare.  This rose was introduced by David Austin in 2002.