Also Known As:  'Leonard Dudley Braithwaite'
Introduced:  1988, David Austin, UK
Class:  Shrub / English
Zones:  4b-9
Parentage:  'Mary Rose' x 'The Squire'
Flowers:  Bright crimson; 4", cupped
Size:  5 feet x 4 feet (warm climates)
4 feet x 4 feet (cool climates)
Fragrance:  Strong
Of note:  Lovely crimson flowers, reliable
bloom, and attractive growth habit makes this perhaps the best David Austin red rose (although watch out for 'Tradescant', just now available in America.)

With a parent like the outstanding 'Mary Rose', one would expect  'L.D. Braithwaite' to be a rose of great virtue...and one would be right.  'L.D. Braithwaite' surpasses previous David Austin red roses.  Combine crimson flowers which reliably repeat with outstanding fragrance and good growth habit, and we have a rose which deserves a place in our gardens.

The flowers are loosely cupped affairs and hold their color quite well, although very warm weather will cause the blossoms to age to magenta.  Blooms are almost continuously on the shrub during the growing season.  Disease resistance is good, although 'L.D. Braithwaite' is not immune to the occasional bout with blackspot or mildew.  Due to a larger growth habit   in the warm climates of the American south, the foliage may be a bit more sparse than the 'bushy' habit found in English gardens.

Named for Leonard Dudley Braithwaite, David Austin's father-in-law.