In Greek mythology roses are closely linked with Adonis, the lover of Aphrodite. One day Adonis was gored by a wild boar while hunting. Aphrodite wept as his blood stained a nearby white rose, a deep crimson. Hence red roses gained their unassailable position as symbols of carnal affection, which they retain to this day.
However, the world’s favourite rose in 2025 is not red. According to the Royal Horticultural Society it is shocking pink. Rosa Gertrude Jekyll, a shrub rose bred by David Austin in 1986, is a non-fussy rose which will flower well in almost any garden. It is not confined to the boarder and can be planted in a good-sized pot as a shrub or a climber. But its tolerance is not its position-winning asset; it is supremely fragrant.
Named after Gertrude Jekyll (1843-1932) #4566 on the web family tree, it reflects on an activity which was not her first choice. In her teens Gertrude enrolled at the Kensington School of Art, a bold step for a young lady in mid Victorian times, but she had influential friends in artistic circles amongst which were Ruskin, G. F. Watts, and William Morris. She travelled widely in Europe, but sadly the deterioration of her eyesight compelled her to abandon her two favourite occupations of painting and embroidery.
She had always loved flowers and friendship with gardening neighbours encouraged her interest. She was soon writing articles for the gardening press and a chance meeting with a young architect, Edwin Lutyens (1869-1944) #3176 led the pair to a most prolific contribution to the English country garden. She brought an artist’s eye to garden design and made fashionable many long disdained species, particularly fragrant ones, from cottage gardens.
How appropriate that her name should be chosen, years later, for a robust and generously fragrant rose!
Anthony Cobbold
