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Rose 'Absent Friends' (Floribunda)

Floribunda Rose

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£11.99

Size:

3-4 Litre pot

Code: 38805

Availability: Out of stock

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At a Glance

Variety: Floribunda
Size: Bare Root (November delivery)
Rose Class: Floribunda
Mature Height (?):

What does this mean?

Mature Height

You can expect the height to reach somewhere within this estimate. It is given as a guide but can vary dependant on several factors such as soil quality and position.

For Conifers and Trees this may be the height in 10-20 years, eventually the plant may exceed this height.

1.2m
Mature Spread (?):

What does this mean?

Mature Spread

You can expect the plant to spread somewhere within this range estimate. It is given as a guide but can vary dependant on several factors such as soil quality and position.

For Conifers and Trees this may be the spread in 10-20 years, eventually the plant may exceed this.

1.0m
Flower Colour (?):

What does this mean?

Flower Colour

Flowers come in a vast variety of colours from pure white to almost black. Colour can be affected by a number of factors including environment and diet. Use the photographs as a guide and expect variations.

Orange, Pink
Flowering Time (?):

What does this mean?

Flowering Time

A plants development is synchronised with the changing seasons and flowering is one of several changes that occur at the appropriate time of year dependent on the specific plant. While our meteorological seasons are defined by specific dates; there can be two or the weeks difference in the start and end of the horticultural 'season' between the north and south of the UK.

Summer - Autumn
Foliage (?):

What does this mean?

Evergreen

Plants that have leaves all year round are classified as evergreen. They can however lose leaves sporadically throughout the year.

Deciduous

Deciduous plants drop their leaves in autumn, look bare in winter and put out new leaves again in spring. Some plants such a Beech retain their dead leaves until the new spring growth.

Semi-evergreen

There are exceptions, some plant drop their leaves in cold winters but keep them if it is mild. These are classified as Semi-evergreen.

Deciduous
Fragrant (?):

What does this mean?
Fragrant
For plants that are fragrant the level of fragrance may vary, results may improve by planting in larger blocks. The fragrance may come from flowers or foliage.

Yes
Growth Rate (?):

What does this mean?

Growth rate of a plant will determine how fast the plant reaches it ultimate height and is affected by four main factors: temperature, nutrients, light, and water.

Average
Hardiness (?):

What does this mean?

Fully Hardy

Hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (to -15)

Half Hardy

Hardy throughout most of the UK (to -10)

Frost Hardy

Hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of UK (to -5)

Fully Hardy
Position (?):

What does this mean?

Full Sun

Six or more full hours of direct sunlight but don't forget to water.

Partial Shade

Two or three hours either in early morning or late evening sun. Very limited exposure to midday sun.

Dense Shade

Usually no more than two hours direct sunlight. Usually under dense trees, shurbs or in shade cast by buildings/fences etc.

Full sun
Soil Moisture (?):

What does this mean?

Well Drained

Well-drained soil allows water to percolate through reasonably quickly without pooling. Well drained soil can often be dry and lack nutrients.

Poorly Drained

Poorly Drained soil is usually saturated periodically during the growing season and remains wet for several days at a time. Saturated soil can deprive roots of oxygen.

Moist Well Drained

A moist well drained soil is the best of both worlds by combining high permeability with the ability to retain moisture. Adding well rotted organic matter to dry or wet soil will help improve both these characteristics.

Moist Well-drained, Well-drained
Soil PH (?):

What does this mean?

Acid

Soil with a pH between 1 and 7 is classed as acid, ericaceous plants such as Rhododendrons need acid soil.

Neutral

A neutral pH which is around 7, will be suitable for most plants. Clay soils tend to be neutral.

Alkaline

Soil with a pH between 7 and 14 are refereed to as Alkaline. Chalky soil is usually Alkaline.

Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Soil Type (?):

What does this mean?

Chalk

Chalky or lime-rich soils may be light or heavy, largely made up of calcium carbonate and are very alkaline.

Clay

Clay soils are potentially fertile and hold a high proportion of water. They drain slowly and take longer to warm up in spring.

Loam

Loam soils are s mixture of clay, sand and silt that avoid the extremes of clay or sandy soils. Fertile, well-drained and easily worked.

Sand

Sandy soils have a low clay content, drain quickly, easy to cultivate and work. They can dry out quickly and are low in plant nutrients. Often very acidic.

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

**Rose 'Absent Friends' – The Perfect Memorial Floribunda with Gentle Apricot Beauty**

Rose 'Absent Friends' stands as one of the most thoughtful and meaningful floribunda roses available, earning its reputation as the ultimate choice for memorial gardens and tribute plantings. This exceptional variety produces abundant clusters of soft apricot to peach blooms that fade to gentle pale pink, creating a serene and comforting garden presence. With its enduring cluster blooms, vigorous bushy growth habit, excellent disease resistance, and medium-strength fragrance, 'Absent Friends' represents the perfect choice for gardeners seeking both beautiful continuous colour and heartfelt symbolism.

Headlines

Type: Hardy floribunda rose
Height: 70-90cm
Spread: 60cm
Flowering: May to September
Hardiness: Hardy in the UK down to temperatures of -20 to -15 degrees Celcius (RHS hardiness rating H6)
Growth Habit: Compact, vigorous, bushy, deciduous shrub
Colour: Soft apricot to peach blooms fading to pale pink
Form: Medium-sized, cupped, full to very full blooms in clusters
Size: Medium-sized blooms
Petals: Full to very full formation
Fragrance: Medium-strength fragrance (rated 3-5 on fragrance scale)

Spectacular Flowers

The defining beauty of 'Absent Friends' lies in its gentle clusters of soft apricot blooms that create a soothing and peaceful garden display. These lovely medium-sized flowers showcase beautiful peach tones that gracefully fade to pale pink as they mature, creating an ever-changing tapestry of warm, comforting colours throughout their blooming cycle.

The cupped, full to very full blooms are borne in abundant clusters typical of the finest floribundas, ensuring a consistent and enduring display throughout the flowering season. Each cluster contains multiple perfectly formed flowers that exemplify gentle elegance, making them exceptional for both contemplative garden spaces and meaningful cut flower arrangements.

Delightful Fragrance

'Absent Friends' offers a medium-strength fragrance that adds an extra dimension of comfort and pleasure to its already impressive garden presence. This lovely scent, rated 3-5 on the fragrance scale, creates a gentle olfactory experience that enhances the peaceful quality of this meaningful variety.

The pleasant fragrance makes this rose perfect for memorial gardens, quiet contemplation areas, or any position where the combination of beautiful blooms and comforting scent can provide solace and enjoyment throughout the flowering season.

Outstanding Garden Performance

This superb floribunda demonstrates exceptional garden performance with attractive dark green, glossy, medium-sized foliage that provides the perfect backdrop for the soft apricot blooms. The variety exhibits vigorous, bushy growth that creates a well-proportioned, compact plant with excellent structure throughout the growing season.

'Absent Friends' boasts excellent disease resistance, ensuring reliable performance year after year with minimal intervention required for pest and disease management. This robust constitution makes it perfect for gardeners seeking both meaningful beauty and dependable, low-maintenance results.

Continuous Flowering Performance

As a rampant flowering, repeat-blooming floribunda, 'Absent Friends' provides continuous displays from late spring well into autumn, ensuring months of gentle colour and comforting garden presence. This extended flowering season means the rose produces a mass of colour all summer long, with enduring cluster blooms that maintain their impact throughout the growing period.

The variety's ability to flower repeatedly with such vigour means gardeners can enjoy consistent displays of the soft apricot clusters from early summer right through to the first frosts, providing lasting comfort and beauty.

Growing Requirements

Position: Full sun for best flowering and disease resistance
Soil: Fertile, humus-rich, moist but well-drained soil - will tolerate most soil types including chalky, clay, loamy, and sandy conditions
Care: Moderate pruning required along with deadheading to encourage continuous flowering. Regular watering during dry periods and annual feeding with balanced rose fertiliser maintain optimal performance.

The adaptable nature and excellent disease resistance make this variety suitable for a wide range of growing conditions whilst maintaining outstanding performance with minimal care requirements.

Garden Uses

'Absent Friends' offers exceptional versatility for various garden applications:

Memorial Gardens: Perfect for tribute plantings and remembrance spaces
Mixed Borders: Provides gentle colour and structure in perennial plantings
Large Beds: Excellent for mass plantings creating sweeps of soft colour
Half Standards: Suitable for training as elegant standard roses
Gift Gardens: Makes the perfect gift rose for meaningful occasions
Cottage Gardens: Ideal for informal settings with its gentle, natural beauty
Cut Flower Gardens: Outstanding for arrangements with symbolic meaning

Breeding Excellence

'Absent Friends' was bred by the renowned Colin Dickson and introduced to the UK in 2006, representing the finest tradition of Irish rose breeding. The variety is the result of crossing 'Irish Eyes' with an unnamed seedling, combining proven garden performance with unique gentle coloration.

This prestigious breeding background from Dickson, one of the world's leading rose breeding houses, ensures both quality and reliability, making it a trusted choice for important garden applications.

Perfect for Cutting

The strong stems and enduring cluster blooms make 'Absent Friends' exceptional for cut flower arrangements, particularly those with special meaning. The long-lasting blooms combined with their medium-strength fragrance create arrangements that provide both visual comfort and gentle scent, making them perfect for memorial services, tributes, and meaningful indoor displays.

Companion Planting

The soft apricot to pale pink blooms of 'Absent Friends' work beautifully with silver foliage plants that complement the gentle colour tones, whilst white or cream companions create peaceful, harmonious combinations. The dark green, glossy foliage provides excellent structure and seasonal interest, making it perfect for contemplative garden settings.

Care and Maintenance

'Absent Friends' is an easy-care variety that requires only moderate pruning and regular deadheading to maintain optimal flowering performance. The excellent disease resistance and vigorous growth mean minimal intervention is required, making it suitable for gardeners seeking reliable roses with meaningful symbolism.

Regular deadheading of spent bloom clusters encourages the rampant flowering habit throughout the season, whilst annual moderate pruning maintains the compact, bushy form and encourages vigorous new growth for continued excellent performance.

**Why Choose 'Absent Friends'?**

Rose 'Absent Friends' represents the perfect choice for gardeners seeking a meaningful rose that combines gentle beauty with reliable garden performance. Its combination of soft apricot blooms, excellent disease resistance, vigorous flowering habit, and symbolic significance make it both a comforting garden feature and practical growing choice.

Whether you're creating a memorial garden, seeking a perfect gift rose, or wanting a variety that provides continuous gentle colour with minimal care, 'Absent Friends' delivers exceptional results. Its thoughtful name, proven performance, and adaptable nature make it an essential choice for gardeners who appreciate roses that combine horticultural excellence with heartfelt meaning and enduring beauty.

Why Buy Roses from Us
How Our Roses are Supplied
Rose Guide & Care
Alternatives
Reviews

Reasons to Buy Roses from Jacksons Nurseries

(1) ‘Excellent’ on Trustpilot

Buy with confidence from the only online rose grower rated ‘Excellent’ 4.9* on Trustpilot. We have been a trusted supplier of roses for 3 generations. We take pride in growing our own roses in the field before potting them up, allowing for meticulous quality control to sale.

Trustpilot Excellent

(2) Best Prices Guaranteed – Direct from the Grower

Save £££s by buying direct from a grower you can trust. We’ve already price checked all of our roses against competitors so you don’t have to. We are so confident we offer the best value, if you find a rose of the same type and grade elsewhere, we’ll beat it by 10%.

Price Promise

(3) 12 Month Plants Guarantee

We offer a 12 month guarantee on every plant that you buy from us that we have classified as Fully Hardy. If a plant you've bought from us fails in the first year, we will either replace it or refund you. See our satisfaction guarantee page for more details and conditions.

Roses 12 Months Plants Guarantee

(4) Third generation family-owned nursery specialising in roses

Jackson’s Nurseries is a 3rd generation family owned business which has been growing roses for over 60 years. Roses have always been our specialty, as you can see from the colourful array of blooms in the background to the old family photo below. Today, we offer over 200 different varieties of floribundas, hybrid teas, patio, shrub and David Austin roses. Our roses are initially grown in the field before being potted up for website dispatch.

Third Generation Rose Growing

(5) Grown at altitude to produce strong, healthy plants

Our North Staffordshire nursery is situated at 250 metres above sea level, producing strong, hardy plants that will thrive in your garden. Our nursery sits on clay, so you can be sure our roses can handle heavy soil too.

Grown at Altitude Healthy Plants

(6) Help & Advice and Aftercare

We are help to help you with any help and advice you need in choosing, planting and growing your roses before, during and after your purchase from us. The help and advice section of our website has extensive information, see below some examples of articles you may find useful:

Help and Advice Aftercare

How our roses are supplied through the seasons

All our roses are cultivated in an open field and are carefully dug up when the weather is optimal, typically in October or November. While other nurseries supply roses bare root, once our field-grown roses have been potted up we supply them freshly potted. This better protects the roots and helps keep them moist in transit, ensuring your roses arrive as healthy as when they left our nursery. So don’t be alarmed if the compost comes away from the roots when you remove them from the pot.

Pointing at Graft of Rose after Removing from Pot

The roses can remain in their pots over the winter, as long as they are properly watered and fed, but it's best to plant them out as soon as possible. If you do plant them straight away make sure the planting mix is prepared first, hold the root close to the top of the hole as you tip the pot upside down and try to keep as much compost as possible from falling away. They will already be pruned, so no additional pruning is needed except for trimming any dead tips. Regular pruning can start in late winter, the year after planting.

Tying up a Climbing Rose

Rose Types

Hybrid Tea Roses (HT)

Hybrid Tea roses are probably the most popular group of roses, available in both bush and standard form they have long flower stems and shapely blooms. Blooms are typically medium to large in size, with many petals which form a distinct central cone.

Floribunda Roses (FL)

Floribunda roses bears its flowers in clusters or trusses, with several blooms open at time in each truss. A popular choice the Floribunda rose group is unrivalled for colour, reliability and longevity as a bedding display however the flower form in generally inferior to the Hybrid Tea.

Patio Roses (PATIO)

Patio roses were introduced in the 1980’s and the group now contains several popular varieties. Generally low-growing roses that were once grouped with the Floribuna group but have now been put in their own group of compact versions. Usually growing about 50cm high they make excellent plants for patio containers or at the front of borders.

Climbing Roses (CLM)

Climbing roses as the name suggests are the perfect choice for covering a wall or screen. Often grouped together with Ramblers, Climbers tend to have stiffer stems, larger flowers but smaller trusses than Ramblers.

Rambling Roses (RAM)

Rambling roses are often grouped with Climbing Roses but the ramblers tend to have a more pliable stems that can be used to run along the soil to use as groundcover or can be used to make weeping standards.

Miniature Roses (MINI)

Miniature roses have increased in popularity in recent years due to their versatility, even grown indoors as temporary pot plants that grow to a maximum height of 40cm. An ideal choice for planting in tubs, edging beds and rockeries.

English Roses (ENG)

Often referred to as Austin or David Austin Roses, English roses are hybrids of old English roses and more modern varieties bread by David Austin to provide the best of both, mixing old rose shapes and scents with more modern colour range, compact habits and repeat flowering.

Diagram of different types of roses

Planting Advice

Roses like a generous root space, so dig a deep hole approximately twice as wide as the current root system, preferably adding composted organic matter to the soil. Never plant into frozen soil – in winter, await a frost-free period. Carefully remove the pot and gently tease the roots apart to spread them around the hole. Position the plant so that the ‘bud point’ (the place where the shoots emerge from, where the cultivated rose was grafted onto the rootstock) is at soil level. Replace the soil, firming it down gently, then water copiously. Ideally, a general purpose fertiliser should be applied to the surrounding soil as a top dressing. We also highly recommend the use of Rose Rootgrow, which provides a friendly fungus that prevents ‘rose replant syndrome’.

Digging Ground for Roses

Buying our Roses

Pot Size

Most of our roses are supplied in a 4 litre pot although this may vary slightly depending on rose variety. If the size of pot differes significatly from 4 litres then we will make this clear somewhere on the product page.

Seasonality

Our roses are grown outdoors and as such are subject to seasonal changes. As we sell potted stock throughout the year your rose may not arrive and look like you expect it to. If you are uncertain how your rose will arrive (especially if buying for a gift) then we suggest you contact us prior to making a purchase.

Freshly Potted

Each year a new batch of roses is potted up ready for the following season. Once potted (usually November/December time) they go on sale as 'Freshly Potted'. If you purchase a freshly potted rose and plant it soon after you will find that when removing the rose from the pot there will be a lot of loose soil as the roots will not have had time to grow and bind the compost.

Rose Raised Ready to be Planted

Pruned/Cut Back

In autumn the majority of our roses have finished flowering and begin to look untidy, at this point we prune them quite hard in preparation for the following season. We continue to sell roses throughout the year, when a rose has been pruned in such a way we will identify it has being so. If you are not sure what to expect then please ask prior to making a purchase. Some garden centres/supermarkets sell stock that has been grown abroad or in poly-tunnels so they look 'picture perfect' out of season, while this is ideal for a gift they are short lived once planted.

Aftercare

Water regularly until established. In spring, apply a specialised rose fertiliser along with manure mulch, taking care to avoid direct contact of the mulch with the stems. In winter remove all branches which are dead, diseased or damaged along with any older stems as necessary to avoid overcrowding at the centre. Cut back new growth by about a quarter and prune side-shoots to within three buds of the main stem to encourage vigour. Prompt removal of ‘dead-heads’ will encourage further flowering.