Light Needs
Mature Height
Mature Spread
Growing Zones
Glowing apricot rosettes that soften to creamy edges give Port Sunlight English Shrub Rose its unmistakable warmth. Each medium-sized, quartered bloom packs up to 90 petals. The color holds beautifully in the garden, creating a soft, luminous effect rather than a brash orange. Blooms appear in flushes from late spring onward, carrying a gentle Tea fragrance that suits close planting. Also known as Rosa ‘Auslofty’, this vigorous shrub reaches about 5 feet tall and 4½ feet wide, with bronzy-red new growth that matures to deep green.
Bred by David Austin and introduced in 2007, Port Sunlight combines classic English rose form with a taller, upright habit. It can be grown as a substantial shrub or lightly trained against support for added height. Suitable for Zones 5–11, it performs well in mixed borders, rose hedges, and cutting gardens. We like placing it where afternoon light can catch those layered petals and highlight their depth.
Port Sunlight English Shrub Rose Care
Select a site with full or partial sun, ensuring good air movement around the plant. It adapts to most garden soils provided they are enriched and free draining, with an ideal pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Incorporate organic matter into the planting area to encourage strong root development. Water thoroughly after planting and maintain steady moisture during active growth, allowing the surface soil to dry slightly between soakings. Apply a balanced rose fertilizer in early spring and again after the first main flowering period.
Prune in late winter to shape and reduce height, removing weak or inward-facing stems to maintain structure. Deadhead throughout the season to prompt additional flushes. In colder climates, protect the base with mulch after the ground cools. Inspect foliage periodically for common rose issues and address promptly if needed.
Port Sunlight English Shrub Rose Spacing
Allow 4–5 feet between plants so the shrub can reach its full width without crowding. For container growing, use a pot at least 20 inches wide and deep to support its vigorous root system. The warm apricot tone pairs easily with both cool purples and soft whites. Combine it with nepeta, foxglove, and ornamental grasses for a layered planting that enhances its bloom color while adding vertical contrast.
Why It’s Called That
Port Sunlight
Named after the model village in the Wirral, UK, which features a beautiful garden of English Roses.
Port Sunlight English Shrub Rose Information
Simple Plant Spacing Calculator
Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors.
Also Known As:
Quart
Plant Age:
~ 6 months - 1 year
Plant Size:
~ 4"-8"
Pot Size:
~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W
Volume:
1.50 quarts
Also Known As:
2.5 Quart Pot
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 8"-12"
Pot Size:
~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W
Volume:
2.20-2.30 quarts
Also Known As:
#1 Container
1 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1 - 2 years old
Plant Size:
~ 10"-14"
Pot Size:
~ 7"H x 7.75"W
Volume:
2.26-3.73 quarts
Also Known As:
#2 Container
2 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 1.5 - 3 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-18"
Pot Size:
~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W
Volume:
1.19-1.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#3 Container
3 Gallon
Plant Age:
~ 2 - 4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 12"-30"
Pot Size:
~9.5"H x 11"W
Volume:
2.32-2.76 gallons
Also Known As:
#5 Container
5 Gallon
Plant Age:
~3-4 years old
Plant Size:
~ 20" - 60"
Pot Size:
~11" H x 10 1/2” W
Volume:
3.5 - 4 gallons
We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind.
We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days.
Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right.
Pre-ordered plants are scheduled to ship in Spring 2026. We carefully plan our shipping dates based on your USDA Plant Hardiness Zone to ensure optimal planting conditions upon arrival. Want it sooner/later? Reach out, and we'll try our best to accommodate.
Estimated ship week for pre-ordered plants will ship based on growing zones as shown below.
| Growing Zone | Estimated Ship Week |
|---|---|
| Zone 10 | March 30th |
| Zone 9 | March 30th |
| Zone 8 | April 6th |
| Zone 7 | April 13th |
| Zone 6b | April 20st |
| Zone 6a | April 27th |
| Zone 5b | May 4th |
| Zone 5a | May 11th |
| Zone 4 | May 18th |
| Zone 3 | May 25th |
Note: These are only estimated ship dates. Plants may ship out later depending on weather & growing conditions of the plant.
Note: Only plants indicated as pre-order will ship as shown above. All other plants and hard goods will ship as normal.
Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed.
Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally.
This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states.
If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team!