MULLARD JUBILEE™ – pink hybrid tea rose – McGredy
Created for those who dream of romantic afternoons and storybook cottage borders, MULLARD JUBILEE™ is an upright, bushy hybrid tea whose XL, high‑centred blooms bring a touch of glamour to an everyday family garden. The strong, classic damask fragrance and vivid deep pink petals make every stem perfect for cutting, while its own‑root form supports a long‑lived, quietly reliable shrub that can regenerate after harder pruning or rough weather. In smaller plots and exposed spots it anchors well even where coastal breezes and persistent rain can flatten less robust roses, settling steadily into the border with glossy dark green foliage as a handsome foil for summer colour. Over time you will see its natural development arc – first it concentrates on roots, then on stronger shoots, and by the third season it displays its full ornamental character, giving an easy‑care yet thoroughly traditional focus point for tea‑table moments and evening perfume in a classic English‑style garden.
Usage options
| Target area | Reasoning |
|---|
| Feature rose near terrace or seating area |
The XL, exhibition‑type blooms and strong perfume are best appreciated close‑up, making this a natural focal point beside a bench or patio table where you sit for afternoon tea; ideal for those who value atmosphere and scent lovers of romantic cottage style |
| Cutting bed in a kitchen or cutting garden |
The high‑centred hybrid tea form, long stems and repeat flowering habit give a reliable supply of classic deep pink roses for vases, combining show quality with garden robustness for home arrangements homeowners who enjoy bringing flowers indoors |
| Traditional mixed flower border |
Its upright, bushy habit and dense, glossy foliage allow it to slot neatly among perennials, creating a vertical accent without dominating neighbouring plants, well suited to average‑sized family borders busy urban gardeners seeking simple structure |
| Specimen rose in a lawn or front garden |
Planted alone with 100 cm space, the strong colour, glossy leaves and award‑winning flower form make a statement specimen that looks cared‑for with relatively little intervention beyond seasonal pruning families who want one standout rose |
| Small rose hedge or row along a path |
Set at 55–65 cm intervals, the regular height and bushiness create a low, formal‑looking line that frames paths or drive edges while remaining easy to manage in a family‑sized plot owners who like tidy, traditional layouts |
| Raised bed over heavier or chalky soils |
Planting in a raised bed with good drainage supports steady growth and helps roots establish in difficult ground, useful where winters are cold and springs wet, especially in typical suburban gardens gardeners coping with challenging soil |
| Large container on a sunny patio |
In a 40–50 litre pot with quality compost, its upright shape, repeat flowering and dark foliage give a contained, elegant rose bush that suits paved terraces and smaller spaces that lack deep soil apartment and townhouse balcony gardeners |
| Sheltered spot in cooler, breezier regions |
Best in full sun with regular watering, it thrives in cooler summers and, once established, holds its shape and flowers even where frequent rain and wind can quickly test garden plants at the coast those in cooler, wind‑exposed districts |
Styling ideas
- Border‑centre focus – Place MULLARD JUBILEE™ mid‑border with catmint and soft pink campanulas to frame its vivid blooms – for homeowners building a classic, easy‑to‑maintain flower border.
- Cutting corner – Group several plants in a sunny kitchen‑garden strip with hardy annuals such as cosmos, giving a near‑continuous supply of scented stems – for keen home florists with limited time.
- Front‑garden welcome – Use a single shrub by the front path, under‑plant with lavender and low box for a formal, fragrant entrance – for families who want a smart, traditional first impression.
- Patio statement pot – Grow one plant in a 50‑litre terracotta container with trailing thyme around the rim for a romantic terrace centrepiece – for urban gardeners working mainly with paving and pots.
- Cottage walk – Line a short path with spaced shrubs and weave in foxgloves and hardy geraniums to create a storybook cottage feel – for lovers of informal, English‑style country gardens.
Technical cultivar profile
| Parameter | Data |
|---|
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose registered as ‘Mullard Jubilee’; current trade name Mullard Jubilee™. ARS approved exhibition name ‘Electron’, widely shown as a classic exhibition hybrid tea. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Samuel Darragh McGredy IV from ‘Paddy McGredy’ × ‘Prima Ballerina’. Introduced after 1972 via Howard Rose Co. in the United States, originally raised in Portadown, Northern Ireland. |
| Awards and recognition |
Highly decorated show rose: RNRS Gold Medal 1969, The Hague Gold Medal 1970, Madrid certificate 1970, Le Roeulx ‘Most Fragrant Rose’ 1970, further awards at Belfast International Rose Trials. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright, bushy shrub 100–140 cm high and 75–105 cm wide, with dense, dark green, glossy foliage and strong prickling. Self‑cleaning is weak, so spent flowers usually need deadheading by hand. |
| Flower morphology |
Large, double, high‑centred blooms with 26–39 petals on mainly solitary stems. Classic exhibition hybrid tea form with pointed buds and generous second flush, suitable for cutting and display. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Deep, saturated pink shading to carmine in cool light; ARS code DP, RHS 57B outer, 57C inner. Colour holds well, fading slowly to mauve pink with a light silvery edge in strong sun. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, long‑lasting perfume in the classic damask rose register with a spicy nuance. Primarily ornamental rather than pollinator‑friendly, as the high‑centred double form restricts insect access. |
| Hip characteristics |
Produces occasional ovoid hips 12–18 mm across, orange‑red RHS 40A. Decorative in autumn but not typically abundant; of minor significance compared with the main flowering display. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to approximately −26 to −23 °C (RHS H7, Swedish zone 4, USDA 5b). Medium disease resistance overall, generally good against black spot and powdery mildew, moderate susceptibility to rust. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Prefers a sunny position with regular watering in hot spells. Plant 55–65 cm apart in groups, 100 cm as a specimen. Medium maintenance; appreciates deadheading and basic pest and disease checks. |
MULLARD JUBILEE™ offers scented, exhibition‑quality blooms, a tidy upright habit and reliable performance, and in own‑root form it matures into a long‑lived garden feature; an excellent choice if you favour romantic structure with minimal fuss.
