Gertrude Jekyll® (Ausbord)
The World’s Favourite Rose
In May 2025, Rosa Gertrude Jekyll® was named the “World’s Favourite Rose” by the World Federation of Rose Societies, a distinction awarded through a global vote involving rose lovers from 40 countries. This accolade celebrates a rose that has quietly yet firmly held a place in the hearts of gardeners for almost forty years.
Introduced by David Austin® in 1986 and named in honour of the influential garden designer and writer Gertrude Jekyll, this rose embodies the spirit of the classic English garden. Her philosophy of blending structure with softness, and colour with scent, is reflected perfectly in the graceful yet robust nature of this rose.
What Makes Gertrude Jekyll So Special?
From tightly scrolled buds emerge large, glowing pink blooms, each petal gently unfurling into a perfectly formed rosette, the quintessential shape of an Old Rose. It is this classic form, combined with a rich, deeply evocative fragrance, that distinguishes Gertrude Jekyll. The scent, often described as the very essence of Old Rose perfume, fills gardens with a warm, familiar aroma that lingers long after the petals have fallen.
This rose can grow as a vigorous climber reaching up to around 8 feet (240 cm) when trained, or be shaped and pruned as a medium shrub standing approximately 3½ feet (110 cm) tall with a spread of about 3 feet (90 cm). Its upright habit is neat yet vigorous, adapting gracefully to the gardener’s preference and the space available.
A reliable repeat bloomer, Gertrude Jekyll flowers from early summer through to late autumn, providing continuous colour and fragrance throughout the warmer months. Its healthy, dark green foliage forms an elegant backdrop to the bright pink blooms, enhancing their presence without overpowering.
Growing Gertrude Jekyll
Gertrude Jekyll thrives in full sun but will tolerate some light shade, making it suitable for a variety of garden positions. It prefers well-drained soil and benefits from regular feeding and watering during the growing season to support its generous bloom cycle. Its robust nature and resilience to common rose diseases make it accessible to gardeners of all levels.
Whether planted in a rose border, as part of a mixed cottage garden, or in a container, this rose brings a soft, romantic charm. It works beautifully alongside perennials and herbs, weaving its colour and scent naturally through the planting.
A Rose for Every Gardener
For those new to roses, Gertrude Jekyll offers an approachable yet classic introduction - a rose that delivers on beauty, fragrance, and reliable garden performance without demanding constant attention. For experienced rose lovers, it remains a beloved favourite, prized for its timeless elegance and evocative scent.
Derek Lawrence, Executive Director of the World Federation of Rose Societies, summed it up well:
“Gertrude Jekyll is an absolute gem and a worthy winner. Healthy, robust growth, with gorgeous pink blooms, which contain an exquisite and heavenly perfume.”
A Series on Gertrude Jekyll
This is the first in a series dedicated to Gertrude Jekyll, a rose that has inspired gardeners for decades. Over the coming weeks, we will explore everything from caring for this beloved variety, to uncovering the secrets of its unforgettable fragrance, to designing gardens that echo its timeless charm. We will also take a closer look at the woman whose name it bears. Whether you are new to Gertrude Jekyll or a long-time admirer, this series offers a chance to discover the many reasons this rose continues to enchant.
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A Garden Seen Through the Kitchen WindowFrom the kitchen window of Bowling Green House, the view is quiet but alive. Beyond the old glass panes, a narrow canal runs still beneath the branches of the weeping ash, its surface shifting with light and the soft wake of ducks. Native reeds and waterlilies fringe the banks, creating a scene that feels more discovered than designed. David C. H. Austin had it dug after admiring something similar in a friend’s garden. Here, it became the garden’s steady centre, a reflective ribbon running through the planting, anchoring moments of calm.Read more10 days ago -
Roses Perfect for Balcony Gardens: Charming Varieties for Compact SpacesEven the smallest of spaces can be transformed into places of beauty. A balcony may offer only a few square metres, yet with thoughtful planting, it can become a sanctuary of colour, fragrance and joy. English Roses, known for their charm and reliability, are particularly well suited to growing in containers, making them a natural choice for balcony gardens.Read more13 days ago -
Colour Between the Flushes: Planting Companions for Continuous Summer InterestRoses offer their beauty in graceful waves. Most repeat-flowering varieties bloom in two or sometimes three distinct flushes throughout the growing season. The first flush typically emerges in early summer, producing the garden’s most abundant and dramatic display. After this, the rose takes a quiet pause to replenish energy, during which flower production slows or nearly stops.Read more17 days ago -
What to Do with Rose Petals After DeadheadingDeadheading roses can feel a bit like clearing up after something quietly wonderful. One flower fades, its colours softening and edges curling, while another is just beginning to open, full of promise. Suddenly your hands are full of petals - soft, warm from the sun, and still carrying that unmistakable, subtle scent of the garden. It’s easy to let them drop back to the soil, returning to where they came from. But sometimes they feel too lovely to leave behind, as though they’ve still got more to offer.Read more20 days ago -
Creating a Dog-Friendly Rose Garden: A Safe and Beautiful Space for EveryoneDavid C. H. Austin, known for his deep love of dogs, was rarely seen without his Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Bertie. Whether wandering through the rose gardens, riding on his gator, or enjoying quiet moments in the restaurant, their bond was unmistakable. David always believed that a garden should be a place for everyone to enjoy - and that includes our four-legged companions.Read more63 days ago -
Rosa Gallica Officinalis: The Apothecary’s Rose in Shakespeare’s GardenAs April arrives and gardens begin to stir into life, one flower stands out not only for its vivid beauty but for its rich connection to history, healing, and literature. Rosa gallica officinalis, known as the Apothecary’s Rose, is more than an ornamental bloom. It carries with it centuries of meaning and a deep-rooted place in both horticulture and the poetic imagination.Read more90 days ago
