Constance Spry Rose Bushes

• Variety
  Constance Spry
• Type
  Climbing Rose
• Colour
  Warm rose-pink, very large cupped double blooms with quartered form
• Fragrance
  Very strong — myrrh and old rose
• Height
  400cm (13ft)
• Flowering
  One magnificent flush in June and July
• Aspect
  Full sun to partial shade
• RHS AGM
  Holds the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit
• Disease resistance
  Good resistance to blackspot, powdery mildew, and rust
• Good for
  Garden walls, pergolas, arbours, large shrub specimens
• Sold as
  Bare root (November–March) and potted plants
• Delivered
  By next-day courier. Collection from Castle Cary also available

Constance Spry is a warm rose-pink climbing rose with very large cupped double blooms of exceptional quartered form, bred by David Austin in 1961. This is Austin's first English Rose and the variety that launched his entire breeding programme — a single flush of enormous, beautifully formed blooms in June and July with an exceptional myrrh and old rose fragrance. We think it is one of the finest climbing roses ever raised, and well worth planting for that one glorious moment each summer.

Constance Spry, the Rose that Started it All

David Austin created Constance Spry in 1961, and it remains his most historically significant variety. Named after the legendary British flower arranger, this rose combines the charm and fragrance of old garden roses with the vigour and health of a modern climber. The blooms are phenomenal: enormous, deeply cupped, and quartered in the old-fashioned style, held in clusters that make a stunning architectural statement when the plant is in full flower.

What makes Constance Spry so special is the intensity of its fragrance. The scent is powerfully myrrh-tinged, with undertones of true old rose — the kind of fragrance that justifies planting a rose for a single flush. You will smell it right across the garden. The blooms are perfect for cutting and arranging, which feels fitting given the rose's namesake.

Climbing to around 400cm (13ft), this variety will cover a large wall, arbour or pergola with ease. Many gardeners grow it as a specimen shrub instead, where it forms a magnificent mound of bloom. Either way, it is a statement plant that demands space and attention.

Growing and Training Constance Spry

Constance Spry flowers on older wood, so it benefits from light training and tying-in rather than hard pruning. After flowering in July, simply tie in new growth horizontally across your support to encourage flowering buds for next year. In winter, remove any dead, diseased or crossing stems, but do not cut back hard. The more canes you leave, the more flowers you will get.

Plant in full sun to partial shade with good drainage. It is vigorous and healthy, showing good resistance to blackspot, powdery mildew and rust — a significant advantage in British gardens. Feed in spring and deadhead faded blooms to tidy the plant, though the single flush means maintenance is minimal.

One Flush, One Perfect Moment

Constance Spry is decidedly old-fashioned in its flowering habit: one magnificent flush in June and July, then finished for the year. This is not a flaw — it is part of its charm. In a garden full of repeat-flowering roses, a plant that delivers one unforgettable spectacle each summer feels like a luxury. The anticipation builds through spring as flower buds swell, and the payoff in early summer is spectacular. Plan for this moment, position it where you can see it from the house, and cut armfuls for the table.

Companion Plants for Classic Climbing Roses

Underplant Constance Spry with soft perennials that will flower before or after its June-July flush. Try lavender for purple tones and fragrance, hardy geraniums for ground-level colour, or alliums for structural interest. Pair with late-flowering clematis to extend the season on shared supports, and consider scented roses elsewhere in the garden for continuous fragrance.

Why Buy Your Roses from Ashridge Nurseries?

Our climbing roses are budded onto vigorous rootstock and grown for us by specialist growers. We won the Which? Gardening Best Plant Supplier award and hold the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award. Explore our full climbing rose collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Constance Spry flower more than once?

No. Constance Spry flowers once, in June and July, with a single flush of magnificent blooms. This is characteristic of its breeding and is one reason the flowers are so exceptional.

How tall does Constance Spry grow?

Constance Spry reaches around 400cm (13ft) as a climber, making it suitable for tall walls, pergolas and arbours. It can also be pruned and grown as a large shrub.

Is Constance Spry disease resistant?

Yes. It shows good resistance to blackspot, powdery mildew and rust, making it a reliable choice for most British gardens and reducing the need for fungicide sprays.

Can I grow Constance Spry in a pot?

Constance Spry is very vigorous and is best grown in the ground where its roots can spread freely. A very large container might work, but in-ground planting will give the best results.

What does Constance Spry smell like?

The fragrance is very strong — a distinctive myrrh scent with undertones of true old rose. It is one of the most powerfully fragrant roses we grow and carries well across the garden.