Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll'

Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll' (aka AUSbord) is a pink shrub rose cultivar, bred by British rose breeder, David C. H. Austin in 1986. It was named in honour of the famous British writer and garden designer, Gertrude Jekyll (1843–1932). 'Gertrude Jekyll' is one of the most popular of the David Austin's English roses. It was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit in 1994.

Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll'
Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll'
GenusRosa hybrid
Hybrid parentage'Wife of Bath' x 'Comte de Chambord'
Cultivar groupShrub rose
Cultivar'AUSbord'
BreederDavid C. H. Austin
OriginGreat Britain, 1986

Description edit

'Gertrude Jekyl' is a tall bushy shrub rose, 6 to 9 ft (1.8–2.7 m) in height, with a 3 to 4 ft (0.91–1.22 m) spread.[1] It has a fully double, quartered bloom form and a strong, old rose fragrance. The flowers are large, 4 to 5 in (100–130 mm), and are bright pink with a light red center, fading to pale pink at the edges. They are borne in small clusters of 3–5. The plant has long, pointed, dark green foliage and prickles. 'Gertrude Jekyll' is a vigorous grower and a repeat bloomer during the season. It can reach 9 ft (2.7 m) in height in hot climates and can be grown as a short climber. [2][3]

History edit

David Austin roses edit

David C. H. Austin (1926 – 2018) was an award-winning rose breeder, nursery owner and writer from Shropshire, England. He began breeding roses in the 1950s with the goal of creating new shrub rose varieties that would possess the best qualities of old-fashioned roses while incorporating the long flowering characteristics of hybrid tea roses and floribundas. His first commercially successful rose cultivar was 'Constance Spry', which he introduced in 1961. He created a new, informal class of roses in the 1960s, which he named "English Roses". Austin's roses are generally known today as "David Austin Roses".[4] Austin attained international commercial success with his new rose varieties. Some of his most popular roses include 'Wife of Bath' (1969), 'Canterbury' (1969), and 'Abraham Darby' (1985)[5][6]

'Getrude Jekyll' edit

Austin developed 'Getrude Jekyll' using the shrub rose, 'Wife of Bath' and the Portland rose, 'Comte de Chambord'. The rose was named in honour of the famous British writer and garden designer, Gertrude Jekyll (1843–1932). It is one of the most popular of the David Austin's English roses. It was awarded the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit in 2012.[1][2]

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b "Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll'". National Gardening Association. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  2. ^ a b Quest-Ritson & Quest-Ritson 2003, p. 168.
  3. ^ "Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll'". Help me find roses. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
  4. ^ Quest-Ritson & Quest-Ritson 2003, p. 45.
  5. ^ "Austin (1926-2018) David C.H." Help me find roses David Austin. Retrieved 4 August 2021.
  6. ^ Phillips & Rix 1993, p. 236.

Sources edit