Rose Gentle Hermione A very pretty, repeat-flowering David Austin English rose, Rosa Gentle Hermione is a medium-sized, deciduous shrub rose with an upright, bushy habit and slightly arching, rather thorny stems. The divided foliage emerges tinged red, soon turning deep green. From midsummer to autumn, the shrub bears beautifully formed, shallowly cup-shaped, fully double, pure pale pink flowers, with a hint of apricot, fading to blush pink on the outer petals. The strong fragrance is Old Rose in character, with a lovely hint of myrrh. Rose Gentle Hermione was named for the faithful queen in Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale. Good in borders, and makes a good cut flower. Site: ShelteredSoil: Any moisture-retentive, humus-rich, well-drained soilPosition: Full sunSeason of interest: Midsummer to autumnHardiness: Fully hardyHeight: 4’ (1.2m) Spread: 3’ (90cm) in 2-5 years