Image: ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ (bush and flower detail) acknowledged as the 2025 World’s Favourite Rose. Photo David Austin Roses.
Every three years, the World Federation of Rose Societies gives one rose the title of ‘World’s Favourite Rose’ and enters in its Hall of Fame. This year, the English Rose ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ has been named as the 2025 World’s Favourite Rose.
Released by David Austin Roses in 1986 at that year’s Chelsea Flower Show, this pink, fully double rose is described as “quintessentially English in its charm and fragrance”. The fragrance is a heady scent of old rose, everyone’s favourite rose fragrance. The rose was named for English garden designer Gertrude Jekyll. Expect to see ‘Gertrude Jekyll’ widely promoted in garden centres this year.
The World Federation of Rose Societies created its Hall of Fame to recognise exceptional roses through an international ballot conducted every three years. The first rose to enter the Hall of Fame was ‘Peace’ in 1976. Since then, many legendary roses have been honoured, including Graham Thomas in 2009 (also bred by David Austin).
