Introduction & History

Created to celebrate Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee in 2002, 'Jubilee Celebration' is a rose of regal beauty and generous proportions. Her large, domed blooms are a rich salmon-pink suffused with gold on the reverse of each petal, creating a warm luminosity that seems to capture and reflect sunlight. The flowers are among the largest in the English Rose range and their powerful, complex fragrance — blending fresh lemon and raspberry with a rich rose base — is widely regarded as one of the finest of any modern rose. David Austin considered Jubilee Celebration one of his most important introductions, a rose that combines flower size, color complexity, fragrance, and garden performance in a way that few others can match. She is a fitting tribute to a historic reign.

Breeding History

Bred by David Austin and introduced in 2002. Registration name 'AUShunter'. Exact parentage is proprietary. Created to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II in 2002. The naming was a prestigious honor and reflects the exceptionally high quality of the rose. David Austin ranked her among his top three introductions. Received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Flower Form & Fragrance

Flowers are very large, fully double with 40-50 petals, forming domed, slightly cupped blooms 10-12 cm across. Color is rich salmon-pink with a golden glow on the petal reverse, creating a warm, two-toned effect. Blooms are borne singly and in small clusters. Fragrance is strong and complex — an unusual and captivating blend of sharp lemon-zest and sweet raspberry fruit, over a rich rose foundation. The scent has been described as one of the most distinctive and memorable in modern roses.

Garden Design & Uses

Jubilee Celebration's warm salmon-pink and gold tones make her superb in mixed borders with warm color companions. She pairs magnificently with bronze fennel, golden-leaved shrubs, and peachy-toned daylilies. Equally stunning against a dark green hedge backdrop. Plant near paths and seating to enjoy the notable fragrance. The large blooms create bold focal points. Groups of three produce a spectacular display. Use in the middle of borders.

Growth Habit & Hardiness

A vigorous, upright to gently arching shrub reaching 120-140 cm tall and 90-100 cm wide. Growth is strong and bushy with good branching. Foliage is mid-green, semi-glossy, and healthy. Young growth is lightly tinted with bronze. Thorns are moderate in size and number. The upright habit supports the large blooms well without excessive nodding. Flowers freely throughout the season with good repeat.

Climate & Hardiness

Hardy in USDA zones 5b-9b. Good cold tolerance with winter protection. Heat tolerance is very good — the warm coloring holds well in hotter climates. Rain tolerance is moderate; the large, full blooms can suffer some damage in prolonged heavy rain. Best in moderate climates but adaptable to a wide range of conditions. The fragrance is most intense on warm, still days.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Planting & Container Growing

Requires rich, well-drained soil with pH 6.0-7.0. Generous soil preparation with compost and manure to support the vigorous growth and large flowers. Plant with bud union 5-8 cm below soil in cold climates. Space 100-120 cm apart. Mulch generously each spring. Excellent drainage is important to prevent root problems.

Container Growing

Feasibility: Moderate. The vigorous growth and large flowers are best displayed in open ground, but container growing is possible. Use a large pot (minimum 50 cm diameter and deep). Rich, loam-based compost. Water daily in summer. Feed generously and frequently. The spectacular blooms and fragrance make the extra effort worthwhile on a patio. Protect from winter frost.

Seasonal Care & Pruning

Spring: Prune in March, removing dead and weak growth. Shorten main stems by one-third. Apply generous granular rose feed and thick mulch. Summer: Deadhead large spent blooms regularly. Liquid feed every two weeks. Water deeply in dry weather. Support any stems weighed down by blooms. Autumn: Apply potash feed in September. Continue deadheading for late blooms. Clean up fallen leaves. Winter: Mound compost over bud union. Minimal pruning needed beyond spring work.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1) Planting too far from viewing areas — the large, complex blooms and notable fragrance deserve close appreciation. 2) Neglecting to deadhead — the large spent blooms look untidy and delay the next flush. 3) Underfeeding — enormous flowers require generous nutrition. 4) Ignoring rain damage — remove water-damaged blooms promptly. 5) Crowding with other plants — give her adequate space for air circulation.

Propagation

Patented David Austin variety. Semi-ripe cuttings in July-August have moderate success (50-55%). The large flowers require a well-established root system, so grafted plants on Rosa laxa rootstock tend to perform better initially. Own-root plants are viable but slower to produce full-sized blooms. Difficulty: Moderate.

Diseases & Pests

Good disease resistance. Some susceptibility to black spot in wet climates but manageable with preventive spraying. Powdery mildew can occur in humid, still conditions. Overall healthier than older English Roses. Aphids target new growth in spring. The large blooms can be damaged by rose chafer beetles in some regions. A preventive fungicide program is advisable in disease-prone areas but may not be needed in dry climates.

Cut Flowers & Exhibition

Cut when the large blooms are half open. The flowers are spectacular as single stems in a vase — each bloom is a complete arrangement in itself. The complex lemon-raspberry fragrance perfumes a room wonderfully. Condition in warm water overnight. Vase life is 5-7 days. Support the large, heavy flower head with an appropriate vase.

Collector & Exhibition Notes

Widely available from David Austin Roses. The large, beautifully formed blooms make Jubilee Celebration a strong contender on the show bench. The royal naming adds prestige and collector interest. David Austin ranked her among his top three roses. Essential in any comprehensive English Rose collection. The unique fragrance is often noted by show judges.

Comparison with Similar Roses

Compared to 'Abraham Darby' (another large warm-toned Austin), Jubilee Celebration has a more refined flower form and a more distinctive fragrance, but Abraham Darby is available in a climbing form. Against 'Lady Emma Hamilton', Jubilee Celebration is larger-flowered and more vigorous but less compact. 'Crown Princess Margareta', another warm-toned Austin, is more vigorous and better as a climber but has a less complex fragrance.

Heritage & Conservation

Jubilee Celebration is commercially secure and widely available. Her connection to the 2002 Golden Jubilee gives her lasting historical significance. Planted in the David Austin display gardens, royal gardens, and many significant public plantings. As more of David Austin's older varieties are retired, Jubilee Celebration remains firmly in the catalog as one of his definitive achievements. No conservation concerns.

Cultural Significance

Jubilee Celebration commemorates Queen Elizabeth II's Golden Jubilee in 2002, marking fifty years on the British throne. The naming tradition of associating important roses with royal events has a long history — 'Queen Elizabeth' (1954) and 'Silver Jubilee' (1977) are distinguished predecessors. The warm salmon-pink and gold coloring evokes regal warmth and celebration. She represents the finest of English Rose breeding honoring the finest of English traditions.

Frequently Asked Questions