Penelope Rose Bushes

• Variety Penelope
• Type Hybrid Musk Shrub Rose
• Colour Creamy pink fading to ivory, semi-double blooms in large clusters
• Fragrance Strong — sweet musk
• Height 150cm (5ft)
• Flowering June to October, repeat-flowering, with good coral-pink autumn hips
• Aspect Full sun to partial shade
• RHS AGM Holds the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit
• Disease resistance Excellent resistance to blackspot and powdery mildew; good rust resistance
• Good for Informal hedging, back of border, fragrant gardens, wildlife
• Sold as Bare root (November–March) and potted plants
• Delivered By next-day courier. Collection from Castle Cary also available

Penelope is a Hybrid Musk Shrub Rose bearing creamy pink, semi-double flowers that fade gracefully to ivory in large, fragrant clusters from June through October. With excellent resistance to blackspot and powdery mildew, and a strong sweet musk perfume, it's one of the most reliable and disease-resistant roses ever bred. A true classic that deserves a place in every garden.

Penelope Shrub Rose, A Century of Garden Success

Joseph Pemberton bred Penelope in 1924, and nearly a century on, it remains one of the finest roses in cultivation. This Hybrid Musk shrub reaches 150cm (5ft) in height, making it ideal for the back of a border or as an informal flowering hedge. The creamy pink blooms arrive in generous clusters from June onwards, and as they age, they fade to the palest ivory—a graceful colour transition that gives the plant a soft, romantic quality throughout its flowering season.

What sets Penelope apart is its disease resistance. Blackspot and powdery mildew simply do not trouble this rose, and it shows good resistance to rust as well. For gardeners tired of chemical sprays, or anyone seeking a low-maintenance shrub that flowers reliably, Penelope is a straight answer. It flowers continuously into October and produces coral-pink hips in autumn, extending its garden value well into winter.

The strong, sweet musk fragrance is one of Penelope's defining characteristics. Plant it where you will brush past it, or where its scent can drift on the evening air. In borders, against a wall, or as an informal hedge, Penelope settles in quickly and flowers from its second year onwards.

Growing Penelope in Your Garden

Penelope is unfussy about soil, but performs best in well-drained ground enriched with organic matter. Plant bare-root specimens between November and March, or potted plants at any time of year. Space plants 120cm (4ft) apart if hedging, or 90cm (3ft) for a more compact display. The rose tolerates full sun or partial shade, though flowering will be heaviest in a sunny spot.

Prune lightly in late winter, removing dead or crossing wood and reducing the previous year's growth by one-third. Penelope doesn't demand hard cutting—a gentle tidy-up is all it needs to maintain a natural, shrubby shape. Water well during establishment and during dry spells in the growing season. Once established, it is very drought-tolerant and makes few demands.

Penelope's Autumn Beauty

Few modern roses offer what Penelope does in autumn. After the final flush of blooms, the plant produces a generous crop of coral-pink hips that persist into winter, providing food for wildlife and ornamental interest in the garden. Leave the hips unpruned if you can; they are every bit as attractive as the flowers and support the birds when food is scarce.

Companion Plants for Classic Shrub Roses

Penelope's soft, romantic colouring and long flowering season make it an excellent backbone for a fragrant, informal garden. Partner it with the purple spikes of lavender plants for contrast, or with tall herbaceous perennials such as delphiniums and salvias. Fragrant clematis plants can be trained gently through the shrub without swamping it. Repeat-flowering scented roses of compatible height will extend the floral display, while allium bulbs planted at its feet will add spring interest.

Why Buy Your Roses from Ashridge Nurseries?

Our Penelope roses are budded onto vigorous rootstock and grown for us by specialist growers. We're winners of the Which? Gardening Best Plant Supplier award and the Feefo Platinum Trusted Service Award. Bare-root and potted plants arrive strong and ready to establish. Order today or explore our full shrub rose collection.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Penelope a true old rose?

Penelope is a Hybrid Musk, a class bred from old roses in the early 20th century. It combines old-rose charm and fragrance with modern repeat-flowering and disease resistance, making it a bridge between heritage and contemporary garden roses.

How tall does Penelope grow?

Penelope reaches 150cm (5ft) in height with a similar spread. It makes a neat, well-proportioned shrub ideal for the back of a border or as an informal hedge without sprawling or becoming unwieldy.

When should I prune Penelope?

Prune Penelope in late winter (February or early March), removing dead wood and reducing the previous year's growth by one-third. Light pruning maintains its natural shrubby shape better than hard cutting.

Will Penelope flower all year?

Penelope flowers continuously from June to October, then produces hips through autumn and winter. It is not a year-round bloomer, but its long season of flower and fruit extends its value significantly.

Does Penelope really resist blackspot?

Yes, Penelope has excellent resistance to blackspot and powdery mildew, and good resistance to rust. Its disease resistance is one of its greatest strengths, making it ideal for organic gardeners or those wanting low-maintenance roses.