Shrub rose (Rosa 'Ausbord' GERTRUDE JEKYLL)
Rosa 'Ausbord' GERTRUDE JEKYLL is a showy, fragrant Shrub rose producing deep pink blooms from May until frost, excellent for hedges.
Scroll down to discover growing tips, care requirements, companion plants, and more
Complete Plant Information
Overview
Rosa ‘Ausbord’ GERTRUDE JEKYLL, commonly known as the Shrub rose, is celebrated for its intensely fragrant, large, fully double, deep pink blooms that appear consistently from late spring right through to the first frost. This David Austin introduction offers an upright, bushy form, making it highly valuable in the garden for its reliable performance and classic English rose aesthetic. As a sturdy Shrub rose variety, Rosa ‘Ausbord’ GERTRUDE JEKYLL reaches significant size, offering strong vertical structure or dense hedging capabilities.
This particular cultivar thrives when provided with ample sunlight, which maximizes both its bloom production and inherent disease resistance. Gardeners seeking the classic, romantic look combined with robust growth will find Rosa ‘Ausbord’ GERTRUDE JEKYLL to be an excellent, nearly continuous flowering specimen throughout the growing season. Its elegant habit and classic fragrance make it a cornerstone for traditional and cottage garden designs.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Rosaceae
- Plant Type: Deciduous shrub
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5-9
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 4-8 ft
- Spread: 4-6 ft
- Bloom Time: May to frost
- Bloom Description: Deep pink
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Plant Rosa ‘Ausbord’ GERTRUDE JEKYLL during the dormant season when conditions allow, selecting a site that receives full sun. Optimal growth and the best disease resistance are achieved when planted in medium moisture, slightly acidic, well-drained garden loams. While it tolerates part shade, adequate sunlight is crucial for heavy flowering.
Water this tough Shrub rose deeply and consistently, focusing watering in the early mornings to avoid foliage remaining wet overnight. Deep watering encourages strong root development, essential for mature plants. To maintain soil moisture and regulate root temperature, apply a layer of summer mulch, which also helps suppress weed growth around the base of the Rosa ‘Ausbord’ GERTRUDE JEKYLL.
Good air circulation is vital for keeping foliar diseases at bay. Prune this vigorous shrub as needed in late winter or early spring to maintain shape and remove dead or crossing wood. In very cold winter regions, ensure the crowns receive adequate winter protection to safeguard them against harsh freezing temperatures.
Landscape Uses
The stature and strong color of Rosa ‘Ausbord’ GERTRUDE JEKYLL make it incredibly versatile in landscape design. Its upright, bushy nature lends itself perfectly to being used as a dramatic specimen plant, drawing the eye with its abundant flowers. It performs exceptionally well when planted in a shrub or mixed border, providing middle-to-back-of-the-border interest.
One of its most recommended uses is establishing a substantial hedge, providing a scented, colorful barrier that matures to a mature height between 4 and 8 feet tall. Furthermore, this variety fits seamlessly into traditional cottage gardens or more informal wild garden settings where its somewhat arching canes can drape beautifully amongst other perennials and shrubs.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
- Fragrant
Noteworthy Characteristics
Rosa is a genus noted for deciduous shrubs and climbers featuring beautiful, often fragrant, flowers on prickly stems. Shrub roses like Rosa ‘Ausbord’ GERTRUDE JEKYLL are large bushes, typically between 4-10 feet tall, and often bloom multiple times per season. This specific cultivar is an upright, bushy specimen featuring large, intensely fragrant, deep pink, fully double blooms measuring about 4.5 inches across on arching canes.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
Roses are susceptible to several common issues, including black spot, powdery mildew, and rust, often requiring preventative fungicide applications, especially in humid climates. Good cultural practices form the first line of defense; ensure excellent air circulation around the shrub rose. Potential insect pests range from aphids and spider mites to scale and borers.
Management requires diligence; remove and destroy diseased leaves immediately, both during the growing season and during the thorough dormant cleanup in winter. Local horticultural resources can guide you toward the most effective preventative treatments for the specific pests and diseases active in your region when growing Rosa ‘Ausbord’ GERTRUDE JEKYLL.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Shrub rose suitable for?
Rosa ‘Ausbord’ GERTRUDE JEKYLL is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 5 through 9.
How large does Shrub rose grow?
This variety typically matures to a height between 4 and 8 feet, with a spread ranging from 4 to 6 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Rosa ‘Ausbord’ GERTRUDE JEKYLL need?
For the best flowering performance and disease resistance, this shrub rose requires full sun exposure.
When does Rosa ‘Ausbord’ GERTRUDE JEKYLL bloom?
It produces its showy, deep pink blooms continuously starting in May and continuing until the first frost arrives.
Conclusion
The Rosa ‘Ausbord’ GERTRUDE JEKYLL Shrub rose offers gardeners an exceptional combination of intense fragrance, continuous bloom production, and stately structure, making it ideal for hedges or specimen planting. Ensure you plant this vigorous variety in a location that grants it full sun and offers good air movement for optimal health. Before planting, check that your garden sits comfortably within USDA Zones 5-9 to guarantee success with this beautiful English rose.
Companion Planting
Choosing companions for Rosa ‘Ausbord’ GERTRUDE JEKYLL involves selecting plants that share similar needs for sun exposure and soil drainage. Plants that enjoy ‘full sun’ and ‘medium’ water are ideal partners. Consider pairing the deep pink blooms with silver-foliaged plants like Lamb’s Ears (Stachys byzantina) to create contrast and visual interest.
Aromatic herbs, such as Lavender or Rosemary, work excellently alongside this Shrub rose. Their drier soil preferences often harmonize well with the rose’s need for well-drained conditions, and their textures complement the dense foliage of Rosa ‘Ausbord’ GERTRUDE JEKYLL. Avoid overcrowding, as the rule of thumb for roses is ensuring good air movement around the base, even with established companions.
Seasonal Care Calendar
Mid to late winter is the prime time for major pruning of your Rosa ‘Ausbord’ GERTRUDE JEKYLL. Focus on shaping the overall structure and removing unproductive wood before new growth starts in spring. This late pruning minimizes the plant’s exposure to potential late frosts.
As summer progresses, deadheading—removing spent blooms—is crucial for encouraging the reblooming cycle through the heat of the season. Once flowering ceases for the year, conduct a thorough cleanup in late fall, removing all fallen foliage from the ground around the plant to reduce overwintering fungal spores, preparing the Shrub rose for safe dormancy.
