The ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ rose is a cherished variety, though often misspelled as “gurtrude.” This guide clarifies how to grow and care for this beautiful plant, ensuring it thrives in your landscape.
Understanding the ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ Rose
Bred by David Austin in 1986, the ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ rose is celebrated for its distinctive qualities. It produces full, double, rosette-shaped blooms in a vibrant, rich pink that often deepens towards the center. The flowers are renowned for their powerful, classic old-rose fragrance, often described as having Damask characteristics.
This rose exhibits a robust, upright, bushy growth habit, typically reaching 3.5 to 5 feet as a shrub. It can also be trained as a short climbing rose, potentially growing 8 to 10 feet tall. Its repeat-flowering nature ensures flushes of blooms from late spring until the first frosts.
Planting Your ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ Rose
Selecting the right location is the first step for a thriving ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ rose. This variety flourishes in full sun, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal blooming and health. While it can tolerate some partial shade, consistent exposure is crucial for best performance.
The soil should be well-drained, fertile, and rich in organic matter, ideally with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. Before planting, enrich the site by incorporating compost or well-rotted manure to improve soil texture and provide essential nutrients. For bare-root roses, rehydrate them in a bucket of water for a couple of hours before planting.
When planting, dig a hole wide enough to accommodate the roots and deep enough so the graft union sits about 2 inches below the soil surface in colder climates. Position the plant, spread out its roots, then backfill with prepared soil, firming gently to remove air pockets. Water thoroughly immediately after planting to settle the soil around the roots.
Essential Care for ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ Roses
Consistent deep watering is important for the ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ rose, especially during dry periods. Aim to water twice per week, ensuring the soil remains moist but never waterlogged, as poor drainage can lead to root rot. Avoid overhead watering, which can encourage fungal diseases like black spot; instead, water at the base of the plant.
Feeding supports vigorous growth and abundant blooms; apply a balanced rose fertilizer in early spring as new growth emerges. A second application in mid-summer can encourage a richer second flush of flowers. Granular fertilizers or a balanced 10-10-10 mix are suitable, applied according to product instructions.
‘Gertrude Jekyll’ roses can be susceptible to common rose pests like aphids and diseases such as black spot and powdery mildew. Regularly inspect your plants for signs of these issues. Ensuring good air circulation through proper spacing and pruning helps prevent fungal diseases, and prompt removal of affected leaves can limit spread. Organic treatments can be used when necessary, always following instructions carefully.
Pruning ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ Roses
Pruning is an important practice for maintaining the health, shape, and bloom production of ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ roses. The optimal time for major pruning is in late winter to early spring, after the last hard frost and before new growth begins. This timing encourages strong new shoots and enhances flower production.
Begin by removing any dead, diseased, or crossing branches to improve air circulation and prevent disease spread. For shrub forms, cut back roughly one-third of the previous year’s growth to shape the plant and promote an open, vase-shaped structure. If training as a climber, focus on tying main canes horizontally to encourage lateral flowering shoots.
Throughout the flowering season, regular deadheading is beneficial. Removing spent blooms encourages the plant to produce new buds rather than diverting energy into hip production. Cut back to the first healthy five-leaflet leaf or a strong outward-facing shoot for best results.