The Julie Andrews Rose is a Hybrid Tea cultivar celebrated for its elegant flower form and long, sturdy stems, making it a popular selection for cut flower arrangements. The cultivar has a strong, upright growth habit and produces blooms in recurrent cycles throughout the growing season. This variety is often sought after by home gardeners for its aesthetic that complements both formal and informal landscape designs.
The Story Behind the Name
This rose was bred in France by Georges Delbard in 2004. Initially introduced in Europe under the cultivar name ‘Pink Paradise’, the rose was later brought to the United States and formally dedicated to actress, singer, and author Julie Andrews. The renaming occurred around 2020, solidifying its identity as a tribute to her international acclaim.
The dedication reflects the rose’s recognition at the International New Rose Competition in Lyon, France, where it was honored as the “Most Beautiful Rose of the Century.” This accolade speaks to the flower’s superior form, color stability, and overall garden performance.
Signature Appearance and Fragrance
The blooms feature an intense pink-fuchsia coloration that deepens toward the edges, often contrasted by a golden-yellow reverse on the petals. This unique color combination gives the flower a two-toned quality as the petals unfurl. Classified as a large, double bloom, the flowers typically measure four to five inches in diameter and hold 26 to 40 petals when fully open. The flower form is classically high-centered, characteristic of Hybrid Tea roses, with buds opening to reveal a structured arrangement of petals borne singly on long, robust stems.
The bush exhibits an upright and bushy growth habit, usually maturing to a height of two to four feet, supported by dense, glossy, dark green foliage. Complementing its visual attributes is a powerful fragrance, featuring a blend of traditional rose notes with undertones of anise and tarragon.
Essential Care Requirements
The Julie Andrews Rose requires a planting location that receives a minimum of six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day. Optimal soil conditions involve a rich, organic mixture that drains well, as roots perform best when not subjected to standing water. A slightly acidic to neutral pH range is favorable, and incorporating compost improves both fertility and drainage structure.
When planting, position the graft union—the swollen area where the cultivated rose meets the rootstock—at or slightly above the soil line. Gardeners in colder climates (such as USDA Zone 5) may bury it one to two inches deep for winter protection. Consistent and deep watering is necessary, particularly during dry spells, allowing the top layer of soil to dry out slightly between applications to discourage fungal issues. This cultivar is hardy across USDA Zones 5 through 9, but winterizing practices are recommended for the lower end of that range.
Pruning should be employed annually in early spring, typically three to four weeks before the last hard frost. The goal is to remove old, dead, or crossing canes and open the center of the bush to promote air circulation and light penetration. Cut back the remaining healthy canes by about one-third to two-thirds of their length, making clean, 45-degree angle cuts about one-quarter inch above an outward-facing bud. Although this cultivar has good disease resistance, it may still require regular maintenance and preventative treatments against common afflictions like black spot or powdery mildew in regions with high humidity.