A rose that opens apricot-pink buds into golden cups is hard to walk past in a front yard, and Graham Thomas does it repeatedly from late spring on. Bred in Britain, it grows into a big, bushy shrub that needs generous room.
What Is the Graham Thomas Rose?
Graham Thomas is a hybrid shrub rose, sometimes grown as a climber, bred by David Austin of Britain in 1983. It forms an upright, bushy plant that reaches 4-10 feet tall and 4-8 feet wide, so the final size depends a lot on your climate and how you prune.
The buds are apricot-pink and open into golden yellow double flowers. Each bloom is 3-4 inches wide with 26-40 petals and a strong tea fragrance, and the blooms come in small clusters.
The canes are rather stiff, which matters if you want to train it up a support. It can be done, but it takes persistence.
From the almanac
Roses in your state
The dates on this page depend on where you live. Your state's page carries its frost dates, its USDA zones and the year laid out month by month.
Northeast
Southeast
- Alabama
- Arkansas
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maryland
- Mississippi
- North Carolina
- South Carolina
- Tennessee
- Virginia
- West Virginia
Midwest
Southwest
West
Pacific Northwest
Canada
Where Does the Graham Thomas Rose Grow Best?
This rose tends to be taller in warmer climates, so the same plant becomes a different shape depending on where you live. Match the space you have to the region.
- Gulf Coast: In Texas, Louisiana or Florida, expect growth toward the top of the 4-10 foot range, so give it a wall, a fence or a corner with plenty of room.
- Southeast Piedmont: In North Carolina and Georgia, the plant is a large shrub that can also be trained as a climber with some patience.
- Upper Midwest: In Minnesota, Wisconsin or Michigan, the plant tends to stay lower than in warm regions, so it can suit a mixed border where a plant at the top of its height range would crowd its neighbors.
Check the hardiness zone on the plant tag against your own before buying. The state selector just below this section leads to the page for your state.
How to Care for the Graham Thomas Rose Through the Year
Waking Up
As the weather warms, watch the canes for swelling buds and the first red leaf tips. Plant or move this rose into full sun with amended, well-drained, moist soil, since a spot that stays soggy after rain works against it.
Pruning
Graham Thomas repeat blooms, so it flowers on new growth. Remove dead and weak canes first, then shorten the rest to shape the plant. Cut back harder if space is tight, and lighter if you want height.
Bloom
The first flush arrives in late spring and the rose keeps repeating through frost. Snip spent clusters back to a healthy leaf so the plant keeps its energy for new buds. The golden color gradually softens as each flower ages.
Summer
Water deeply at the base instead of overhead, and keep a layer of mulch over the root zone to hold moisture. Warm regions push this rose taller, so summer is the time to tie in long canes before they flop under the weight of the flower clusters.
Autumn
Let the last flowers finish and stop heavy pruning. Clear fallen leaves from around the base, which keeps old foliage from sitting on the soil over winter.
Winter
Leave the canes standing and mound mulch or compost around the base. In colder areas, wait until buds swell in spring to cut anything back.
Graham Thomas Rose Diseases and Weak Points
Give Graham Thomas enough room for air to move freely through the plant. A crowded planting in damp shade is where leaf problems usually start.
The plant is a big shrub, and the weak points that matter most come from its size and its needs.
| Threat | How Graham Thomas handles it |
|---|---|
| Stiff canes | Can be trained as a climber, but it takes persistence |
| Wet or poor soil | Needs amended, well-drained, moist soil in full sun |
| Crowding | Spreads 4-8 feet wide, so it needs generous spacing |
Spotted or yellowing leaves, especially in humid weather, are best checked up close. Look at both sides of the leaf and at where on the plant the damage starts before you treat anything.
Is the Graham Thomas Rose Right for Your Yard?
It suits a yard with a sunny corner and room to spare, where a tall, fragrant shrub can anchor a border or climb a sturdy support. It is a poor fit for a small bed or a shady spot.
- Find your state page to see the planting and pruning months that apply where you live.
- Use the state selector under the second section to jump straight to your state and plan the spot before you buy.
Common Questions
How Far Apart Should You Plant Graham Thomas Roses?
Plan for the full width of 4-8 feet. Spacing at the wider end keeps air moving between plants and leaves room to prune.
Does the Flower Color Change?
Yes. The golden yellow blooms fade to pale lemon with age, so a single plant shows several shades at once.
Can You Grow Graham Thomas as a Climber?
You can, though the canes are rather stiff and need persistent tying to a support. Start training them while they are young and flexible.