Graham Thomas®

This rose's location in the garden is W 1.
  • Classification: Shrub  
  • Flower Color:  deep yellow
  • Flower Size: 4 inches
  • Flower Form: cupped, a quartered old rose formation
  • Petal Count:  35
  • Fragrance: strong tea scent  
  • Repeat Bloomer: yes
  • Foliage: small, dark, glossy
  • Plant Height: 5-10 feet
  • Plant Width:  4-8 feet
  • Growth Habit: bushy, upright
  • Disease Resistant: very  
  • Hybridizer: David C. H. Austin (U.K.)  
  • Registered: 1983 (U. K.)
  • Parentage: seedling x (‘Charles Austin’ x ‘Iceberg’ seedling)
  • ARS* Rating: 8.2 (a solid to very good rose)
    *American Rose Society Rating
Awards:
  • 1983 World Rose Hall of Fame winner
  • 1993 Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit at the Chelsea Flower Show
  • 2000 James Mason Award from the RNRS
  • 2009 World’s Favorite Rose (by members of the 39 National Rose Societies worldwide)

Notes:
  • “The rose Graham Thomas was named as a tribute to British horticulturalist and influential gardener Graham Stuart Thomas (1909-2003), a champion of Old roses and a leading light in their revival.  Thomas designed the world-famous rose garden at Mottisfont Abbey in Hampshire, England, using much of his personal collection. Thomas said he was first introduced to Old roses on a visit to Ireland in 1937, after which they became his all-consuming passion. Towards the end of the war he made the acquaintance of the florist Constance Spry, who had been assiduously collecting Old roses from French and American nurseries.  Spry asked Thomas if he could propagate some of her roses to ensure their perpetuity.  He became convinced that there was nothing to equal them and that they had been neglected by an entire generation. Thomas made it his life’s work to preserve these Old roses and save them from extinction. British Rosarian David Austin asked Thomas to choose a new English rose to carry his name.  ‘Graham Thomas’ has become one of David Austin’s most well-loved and beautiful yellow roses.”  ---  Jane Eastoe, (Vintage Roses, pages 23 & 72).

  • “In 1983 David C. H. Austin (1926-2018) experienced his first real breakthrough when he introduced three English Roses at the Chelsea Flower Show, including the rose named after his good friend and mentor, the revered horticulturist, Graham Thomas.  David credited ‘Graham Thomas’ with being the rose most responsible for the recognition and success of the English Roses.  The following year saw the first of many gold medals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, and the David Austin rose garden gradually became one of the highlights for visitors, which continues to this day.” --- “Discover More About David Austin” at  www.davidaustinroses.com