Rosa 'The Generous Gardener'

Rosa ‘The Generous Gardener’ is a David Austin climbing rose in the Rosa family introduced in 2002. David Austin referred to his hybrid roses bred in England as English roses. English rose is not recognized as a separate class of roses and are categorized by the American Rose Society as shrubs. The ‘Generous Gardener’ rose was named for the 75th anniversary of the National Garden Scheme in the United Kingdom.

David Austin created hybrids with the fragrance of old roses, repeat-flowering habits and the wide color range of modern roses. The ‘Generous Gardener’ is classified as one of David Austin’s most fragrant roses and is also known for its showy orange rose hips in the fall. The pale pink roses bloom from late spring to early winter on strong, arching thornless stems. There are almost 55 petals on the 2 – 3.5 inch rose which are cup-shaped and open to reveal lots of stamens similar to a water lily. The strong, old fragrance is described as musk and myrrh. It can be grown in all soil types that are moist and well-drained. It does best in rich, fertile soil and full sun. Like all roses, it needs a generous supply of nutrients, weekly watering, and pruning in late winter/early spring. It is extremely resistant to rose problems like black spots and mildew. However, it may be susceptible to insects and pests in some plant hardiness zones, especially in the south. Propagate by hardwood cuttings in autumn, softwood cuttings under glass in spring and summer, or by T-budding in summer.

The ’Generous Gardener’ can grow up to 15 feet tall and can be grown as a shrub or trained to climb. It has multiple stems at the base and can be grown against a wall, fence, pergola, or large arch. The gracefully nodding roses attract pollinators and can be used in city courtyards and informal cottages. It should be planted near doors, walkways or patios so you can smell the fragrance. In addition to being showy and fragrant, it can be grown for cut flowers which can be clustered or solitary.

It won the gold medal for climbing roses at The Hague Trials in the Netherlands in 2010. The ‘Generous Gardener has also won the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It is extremely resistant to rose problems like black spots and mildew. However, in some environments, it may be susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, glasshouse red spider mite, scale insects, caterpillars, and rose leaf-rolling sawfly. Leaf-cutting bees may use the leaves to make nests for their larvae, but will not significantly damage the plant. Deer and rabbits can cause damage. It may be susceptible to rose black spot, rose rust, replant disease, rose dieback, and rose powdery mildews, rose blindness, flower balling and honey fugus.

More information on Rosa.