Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll'
By Emma Jarvis, Nursery Manager at Barnsdale Gardens.
This month's choice is Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll'. Truly the queen of the garden, this rose has it all - vibrant pink flowers, an exceptional old-rose fragrance and it is repeat flowering.
This rose was introduced by David Austin Roses in 1986 and named in honour of the British garden designer and writer Gertrude Jekyll.
Still regarded as one of the finest English roses available today, it combines outstanding fragrance, repeat flowering and excellent garden performance.
Why Choose Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll'
Few roses can rival the perfume of 'Gertrude Jekyll'. Its large, fully double flowers give a wonderful old rose fragrance that fills the garden with scent.
Flowering begins in early summer and continues in repeat flushes well into autumn, provided it is deadheaded. The bright, deep pink blooms stand out beautifully against the vibrant mid-green foliage.
‘Gertrude Jekyll’ can be grown as a shrub or trained against a support as a short climber, bringing elegance and charm.
Where to plant Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll'
For the best flowering show, plant Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll' in a sunny position where it will receive at least six hours of direct sunlight each day. Roses thrive in fertile, moisture-retentive but well-drained soil while good air circulation helps keep foliage healthy and helps to reduce the risk of fungal diseases such as black spot.
Once established, Gertrude Jekyll grows with vigour, developing into a substantial shrub, typically reaching around 110cm (3' 6") in height, or around 2.5m (8') when grown as a climber. Regular watering during dry periods and mulching around will help keep ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ healthy.
Planting Companions and Garden Design Ideas
The rosette shaped, vibrant pink flowers pair beautifully with a wide range of herbaceous perennials and flowering shrubs. Soft purples, blues and silvery foliage complement the blooms particularly well.
Try planting it alongside Nepeta racemosa 'Walker's Low', whose long season of lavender-blue flowers attracts pollinating insects while softening the base of the rose. It also combines beautifully with Salvia nemerosa 'Caradonna', whose deep violet flower spikes provide a striking contrast. Grasses also could be planted to add movement around the rose.
For a traditional mixed border, underplant with hardy geraniums or Alchemilla mollis whose lime-green flowers contrast nicely with the richly coloured blooms.
Growing and Propagating Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll'
Like all repeat-flowering shrub roses, 'Gertrude Jekyll' benefits from annual pruning in late winter or early spring, just as new growth begins. Remove any dead, damaged or crossing stems before shortening long shoots to encourage vigorous new flowering growth.
Feeding with a balanced rose fertiliser in spring, followed by a second feed after the first flush of flowers, will encourage healthy growth and abundant blooms throughout the season. Deadheading regularly will help promote repeat flowering, while a generous mulch each spring helps conserve moisture and improve soil structure.
The only problem we have noticed with 'Gertrude Jekyll' this year, compared with other years, is that the first flush of flowers finished slightly earlier than normal, due to the particularly prolonged hot weather we have experienced.
Wildlife Value in the Garden
Although the densely petalled flowers are less accessible to some pollinating insects than single roses, the thorny stems provide shelter for wildlife, while the dense growth offers nesting opportunities for small birds.
See Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll' at Barnsdale Gardens
If you're looking for a rose that combines exceptional fragrance, beautiful flowers and reliable repeat performance, Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll' is a great choice. It remains one of the finest English roses for adding romance, colour and perfume to the garden.
Because we think the rose is exceptional, you can find 'Gertrude Jekyll' growing in a number of our 38 gardens and landscaped borders at Barnsdale Gardens, where its richly scented blooms are always a favourite with visitors. Spot it shining brightly in the town paradise garden and courtyard gardens.
Plants are available in our nursery and online at:
Plants are available in our nursery, or you can buy Rosa 'Gertrude Jekyll' online from Barnsdale Gardens by clicking here.
