The Auselle Rose, also known as ‘Belle Story’, is a shrub rose introduced in 1984 by David C. H. Austin. This variety is admired for its delicate beauty and appealing fragrance. Its blooms are a light, peachy pink, large, and cupped-to-flat, averaging 4.5 inches in diameter with about 35 petals.
The flowers often appear in small clusters and have a mild anise fragrance. The plant exhibits a spreading, bushy habit, usually reaching 2 to 5 feet in height and up to 5 feet in width. It offers occasional repeat blooms later in the growing season, providing extended periods of color and scent.
Caring for Your Auselle Rose
Light and Location
Auselle Roses thrive with ample sunlight, needing at least five to six hours of direct sun daily. Morning sun is particularly beneficial as it helps dry dew from leaves, reducing disease incidence. Partial sun can lead to fewer blooms and reduced vigor.
Selecting a location with good air circulation is important. This helps prevent fungal issues by allowing foliage to dry quickly after rain or watering. In hotter climates, afternoon shade can protect the plant from intense heat.
Soil Requirements
Auselle Roses grow best in well-draining, loamy soil rich in organic matter. The preferred soil pH is slightly acidic to neutral, between 6.5 and 6.8. Proper drainage is important; roses do not tolerate waterlogged conditions.
Incorporating organic materials like compost, sphagnum peat moss, or decomposed manure improves soil structure and fertility. These amendments provide nutrients and improve drainage and aeration, promoting healthy root development.
Watering Practices
Consistent and deep watering benefits Auselle Roses, especially during dry summer periods. Soak the entire root zone thoroughly at least twice a week, rather than frequent shallow sprinklings. Shallow watering does not reach deeper roots and encourages surface root growth, increasing plant stress.
Watering in the morning is recommended, allowing foliage to dry completely before evening. This reduces the risk of fungal diseases that develop on wet leaves in cool overnight conditions. Applying water directly to the soil at the base of the plant, rather than overhead, helps keep leaves dry.
Fertilizing Schedule
Auselle Roses benefit from regular fertilization for vigorous growth and prolific blooming. They require ample nutrients, but excessive fertilizer can harm the plant. Ensure the soil is moist before applying fertilizer.
After application, thorough watering helps distribute nutrients and prevents root burn. During peak summer months (June-August), reduce fertilizer by half. Feeding after each bloom cycle encourages further flowering.
Pruning Auselle Roses
Pruning maintains the health and vigor of Auselle Roses, encouraging robust new growth and improved blooms. Prune repeat-flowering roses like the Auselle in late winter or early spring, as new growth emerges. This timing allows the plant to direct its energy into developing strong new canes.
Pruning also improves air circulation, important for preventing fungal diseases. Remove any dead, diseased, or damaged branches, cutting them back to their base. Also remove inward-facing limbs to create an open center, enhancing airflow.
When making cuts, aim to prune about 1/4 to 1/2 inch above an outward-facing bud eye at a 45-degree angle. This encourages new shoots to grow outward, maintaining an open and attractive shape. Reducing the rose’s size by one-third to one-half during annual pruning promotes a more compact and floriferous plant.
Common Challenges for Auselle Roses
Auselle Roses can encounter pests and diseases, though proactive care mitigates these issues. This variety is susceptible to mildew and rust. Powdery mildew appears as a white, powdery coating on leaves, twigs, and buds, causing distortion. Rust manifests as orange pustules on leaf undersides with corresponding yellow spots on the upper surface, potentially leading to leaf drop.
Common insect pests include sap-suckers like aphids, which gather on new shoots and buds, causing distortion and leaving sticky honeydew. Thrips are tiny insects that cause streaks on flowers and deform foliage. Chewing pests such as caterpillars also feed on rose leaves.
Regular inspection allows for early detection of issues. Maintaining good garden hygiene, such as promptly removing fallen leaves and pruning diseased sections, limits problem spread. Ensuring adequate air circulation through proper spacing and pruning also aids disease prevention.