This Is The Most Popular Rose In The World
Navigating the world of horticulture can be overwhelming given the sheer number of options available at nurseries. There is a strong desire for a flower that possesses a classic aesthetic, but can also survive with the vigor of a modern hybrid. Roses are already a popular pick in a lot of gardens, but one specific variety has consistently risen to the top of the charts to become a global favorite. Why is this rose considered the most popular in the world? Let's find out.
Meet the Gertrude Jekyll Rose
The subject of this acclaim is the 'Gertrude Jekyll' rose. It was bred by the famous David Austin and released to the world in 1986. This flower is frequently voted the favorite rose in England and holds a prestigious Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit. It's classified as an English Rose, which means it was designed to have the complex flower shape of an antique variety while maintaining the disease resistance and repeat blooming habit of a modern plant.
That Famous Scent
The fragrance is arguably the primary selling point for this variety, as it produces a powerful and quintessential Old Rose scent. The aroma is sweet and balances perfectly without being cloying. You'll notice the smell drifting through the air on warm summer days. Perfume manufacturers frequently use this specific profile as the benchmark for rose essence. It provides a nostalgic sensory experience that is often missing from other modern cultivars that focus strictly on visual attributes.
A Vibrant Splash of Pink
The visual impact of this flower is immediate and striking. It begins as a small bud before opening into a large and rosette-shaped bloom. The color is a rich and glowing pink that contrasts well with the surrounding dark-green foliage. It's deep and vibrant rather than a pale or washed-out shade. The petals are tightly packed to create a luxurious appearance. It blooms early in the season and often repeats later in the year if you remove the old flowers.
Versatility in the Landscape
This plant offers significant flexibility regarding placement in your garden. It naturally grows as a tall shrub that reaches approximately five feet in height. You can also train it as a short climber if you provide a fence or trellis for support. It works excellently at the back of a flower border, but placing it near a door or walkway is a smart practical choice as well, as it allows you to enjoy their scent every time you enter or exit your home.
Hardiness and Health
A garden shouldn't require constant struggle against disease to be beautiful, so thankfully this rose is known for being robust and vigorous. It establishes strong root systems pretty quickly after planting and is generally healthy (though no plant is immune to every issue). It prefers full sun locations, but can tolerate small amounts of shade. You'll need to provide rich soil that drains well so it doesn't get flooded out.
Dealing With Thorns
As with any rose, you must prepare for the physical reality of handling this plant as it's very thorny. You'll require thick leather or other gardening gloves for any pruning or planting tasks. Thorny plants can be useful as a barrier against deer or other pest animals if you plant it as a hedge, just be careful when training the canes. The result is worth the effort but you should proceed with caution to avoid scratches.
The Gertrude Jekyll rose stands as a testament to successful plant breeding. It brings together the best traits of historical and modern gardening styles, not to mention its gorgeous scent. Growers looking for a versatile and resilient addition to their landscape will find it to be a strong candidate. It remains a definitive choice for anyone seeking the practical application of the classic English garden aesthetic.