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Rose “Princess Alexandra of Kent” came from the nursery of David Austin, which means that this variety, as it should be with such a name, combines the charm of old English forms and bright modern coloring. Our summer residents fell in love with him not only for his beauty, cold resistance and resistance to many diseases make it easier to care for the plant.
Description
The variety, named after the cousin of the British Queen, was created only in 2007, and he has already won the hearts of rose lovers on both sides of the ocean. It belongs to the re-blooming shrubs, the bush grows up to 90 cm tall and 60 cm wide. Against the background of dark green foliage, large (12 cm in diameter) terry cup-shaped flowers of pink mother-of-pearl color stand out clearly, they are single or collected in small inflorescences, under the weight of which the branches bend slightly. The color is unusually pleasant, warm, more saturated towards the center, and the outer petals are a little lighter. These flowers have an equally amazing smell: the traditional tea aroma, as the bud blooms, acquires distinct lemon notes, and then blackcurrant.
In summer, a fairly compact bush is simply strewn with flowers. Large bright flowers, consisting of a large number of petals (about 100) never look sloppy, the classic form of old English roses makes itself felt. The bush looks great from all sides, a small group of 3 plants looks good, often roses of this variety are planted in the foreground of complex multi-tiered flower beds.
Video “Roses of Austin”
From the video you will learn a lot of new and interesting things about these roses.
Place for planting
English roses prefer a temperate climate, they like the sun, but not when it burns the delicate petals badly.
The place for “Princess Alexandra” must be chosen open, it can be slightly elevated to exclude the possibility of stagnation of water and cold air. It is good if the sun illuminates the rose in the morning and in the evening, and for the hottest time of the day it would be better if it fell into a light shade.
The place should be well ventilated, but the bush should not be in a draft. This rose, like all varieties of David Austin, does not like transplants, so it is advisable to choose the right place.
soil
The soil needs nutritious, slightly acidified, breathable, not retaining excess water, chernozem or loam is perfect if it is improved with fertilizers and peat is added. 
It is important that groundwater does not rise to the surface closer than 1 – 1,5 m. It is desirable to regulate acidity – add peat to alkaline soil, and lime or at least wood ash to too acidic soil.
Landing
A pit for a rose is prepared deep, at least 70 cm, a drainage layer is arranged at the bottom to avoid stagnant water, then compost or humus is placed, and a hill of loose garden soil is poured on top. The bush is placed so that the straightened roots are placed on the slopes of the earthen hill, and the root neck is 3 cm underground. 
This ensures that no shoots grow below the grafting point (although David Austin varieties are notorious for not producing wild growth), and saves the vulnerable grafting site from cold and heat. The roots are carefully covered with loose earth, tamped around the bush and watered. Experts advise dipping the roots in a clay mash before planting.
Roses from this nursery are always grafted onto a branded rootstock, they form a strong root system, the length of the main root can reach one and a half meters, so the bushes do not like to be transplanted.
After planting, young bushes get used to a new place for a long time, the first year they do not need to be allowed to bloom, only in August you can leave one bud and let the seeds ripen, this will make the plant stronger and prepare for a dormant period.
Care
Caring for the “Princess” implies the same set of activities that all rose lovers carry out: regular watering, fertilizing, weeding and loosening the earth, disease prevention, protection from parasites, pruning, preparation for winter. 
It is not necessary to water the rose too often and plentifully, it is considered drought-resistant, but with the advent of heat it is worth watering a little more often, because the water not only nourishes the roots, but also cools the earthen ball. Top dressing is applied in a liquid state after watering, in spring the emphasis is on nitrogen, and in the second half of summer potassium-phosphorus should prevail. After watering, the soil must be loosened so that a crust does not form.
In summer, sanitary pruning is carried out, damaged leaves and shoots are removed, and fading flowers are cut off. In the autumn, excess shoots are removed, and the main formative pruning is carried out in the spring, when live buds are already visible. 
Remove frozen shoots or tops of branches, shorten all the rest by a third to form a beautiful bush.
The variety is resistant to fungal diseases, but care must be taken that the bush does not become too thick, all branches should receive sunlight and fresh air. Of the parasites, aphids can cause harm if you do not notice their appearance. At the slightest sign of disease or the appearance of parasites, it is advisable to treat the bush with special preparations, and cut and destroy all affected parts of the plant.
With the advent of cold weather, the bush is covered. 
The shoots are spudded with earth to a height of 10 cm, spruce branches are placed under the bush and on the laid shoots, and a frame is arranged on top, covered with lutrasil and film, so as to leave the possibility of ventilation. In the spring, the shelter is removed gradually.
Reproduction
“Princess” is perfectly propagated by cuttings. Branches for cuttings are cut after the first wave of flowering, rooted in the ground. Own-rooted plants retain all the characteristics of the variety.
Video “Care and reproduction”
From the video you will learn how to properly care for and reproduce roses.
