The newest member of the literary collection
The latest variety in David Austin’s literary collection is rose Penelope Lively – and like them all, there’s a story behind the bloom. Alongside stars such as Desdemona, Silas Marner and the Country Parson, the latest rose joins its family of literary-inspired varieties.
As well as being a Booker Prize-winning author whose writing spans novels and short stories enjoyed by adults and children alike, author Penelope Lively loves gardening. Berry-red buds bloom into a classic and elegant rose with mid-pink, cupped blooms in open sprays. Flowers are medium-sized with varying shades of pink petals that fade to lavender.
Rose Penelope Lively – Elegant colour palette
Complementing her elegant colour palette, Penelope Lively® carries a classic rose fragrance. Enjoy twists of raspberry, lemon and myrrh. With a medium-strong level of scent, it embodies summertime. With strong, upright stems and suitability for sun and shade, Penelope Lively® has an open vase shape. Colour-block by planting multiples or for contrast. Rose Penelope Lively blends well with blue and purple companion plants in a mixed border.
In her memoir, Life in the Garden, she writes: “The two central activities in my life – alongside writing – have been reading and gardening”, and this rose is a celebration of those two passions.
‘Planting in a large pot’
She said: “I’ve planted a number of David Austin Roses. I never imagined that I would be planting this one. My late-life garden is very small, and so I will be planting my rose in a nice large pot. I have acquired a nice big one for it.”
CEO David Austin Jr. added: “A rose as captivating as the writer’s words who inspired it. The Penelope Lively rose name was one that I conceived whilst reading her gardening memoir ‘Life in the Garden’, which mentions my father, David Austin Snr. The rose itself is a wonderful character, with delightful fragrant pink blooms.”
Height 110cm x spread 125cm. For current prices of bare-root roses and potted roses, visit www.davidaustinroses.co.uk.
Rose Penelope Lively from David Austin updated 2025
