Rosa ‘Graham Thomas’ (AUSmas)
Type: English Shrub Rose (often grown as a medium climber in warm climates)
Breeder & Introduced: Developed by David C.H. Austin in 1983; named in honor of acclaimed horticulturist Graham Stuart Thomas
🌼 Blossom Characteristics
Color: Rich, deep golden-yellow that may fade to lemon as blooms age
Form: Medium to large cupped blooms (~9–10 cm / 4 in across), with 30–45 petals; typically appear in clusters of 3–9 or held singly
Fragrance: Prominent light Tea scent with violet undertones (“cool violet character”) k
🌿 Growth & Habit
Height & Spread:
As a shrub: 1.25–1.85 m tall and wide (4–6 ft) en.wikipedia.org+3davidaustinrosesaustralia.com+3nzroses.org.nz+3
As a climber (warmer zones): can reach up to 3–3.75 m (10–12 ft) high rosesabc.com+8davidaustinrosesaustralia.com+8eu.davidaustinroses.com+8
Foliage: Glossy medium-green, leathery, with excellent disease resistance
Habit: Upright, bushy, freely branching; arching stems make it suitable for climbing or as a
🌸 Flowering & Awards
Blooming: Repeats in flushes from late spring through autumn
Awards:
Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit (1993)
Inducted into the World Federation of Rose Societies’ Rose Hall of Fame (2009)
🌟 Why It’s Special
Iconic Yellow: One of the deepest yellows among English Roses, highly valued by rosarians heirloomroses.com+1heirloomroses.com+1
Versatile Performance: Thrives as both a medium shrub in cooler regions and a stunning climber in warmer areas heirloomroses.com+6sarose.org.au+6menagerieflower.com+6
Fragrant & Hardy: Tea fragrance with violet notes, resilient foliage, and reliable disease resistance sarose.org.au+3heirloomroses.com+3heirloomroses.com+3
Historical Legacy: Named after a key figure in rose conservation and breeding,
📋 Quick Summary
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Bloom Size | 9–10 cm (4 in), cupped, double |
| Petals | ~30–45 |
| Color | Rich yellow aging to pale lemon |
| Fragrance | Light Tea with violet notes |
| Habit | 1.25–1.85 m shrub; up to 3.75 m climber |
| Flowers | Season-long, repeat flushes |
| Foliage | Glossy, disease-resistant |
| Zones | USDA 5–11 |
| Awards | AGM 1993, World’s Favourite 2009 |