Rose Pretty Jessica

‘Pretty Jessica’ may be compact in size, but she offers an outsized contribution to any garden with her classical form, vivid Centifolia-pink color, and intoxicating fragrance. While her foliage demands regular care, her flowers produced in abundance across the season make her a cherished selection for connoisseurs of the English Roses. A hidden gem among David Austin’s introductions, especially suited for container gardens, courtyards, and rose lovers with limited space.

FLOWERING

The rose variety ‘Pretty Jessica’ has a recurrent flowering habit. Blooms in flushes with short breaks from summer until frosts. The number of blooms per plant during the growing season is profuse, but there are too many to count.

The blooms of ‘Pretty Jessica’ are a highlight of the variety. They are small to medium-sized, approximately 7 cm (2.8 inches) in diameter, opening from crimson-tinged buds into shallow, cupped rosettes. The flowers transition to a warm, glowing pink - a tone evocative of the old Centifolia roses, with the inner petals a richer, deeper pink and the outer guard petals paler and reflexed. They are born singly or several together in small clusters, of 3 - 5 blooms together.

The flowers are densely packed with numerous petals, often forming globular centers that slowly flatten into rosettes. The inner petals twist and wave with a casual elegance, giving each bloom a unique and organic texture.

The scent is intensely sweet with a classic Old Rose fragrance, making it a favorite for those who treasure traditional rose perfumes.

PLANT

The rose variety ‘Pretty Jessica’ is classified as a Shrub rose and is part of David Austin’s English Shrub Roses collection. It is notably small and bushy, making it ideal for compact planting spaces. It typically grows to around 75 cm (2.5 feet) tall and about 60 cm (2 feet) wide, with an upright and tidy structure that remains well-shaped even in warmer, drier climates. In warm climates it can reach up to 90 cm (3 ft) in height.

The foliage is medium green and oval-shaped, although somewhat sparse and prone to fungal diseases. Despite this, the canes are almost thornless, which adds to its charm and makes it pleasant to handle for flower cutting or patio placement.

Thanks to its neat stature and refined blooms, ‘Pretty Jessica’ is ideal for small gardens, urban patios, and container planting. It is also excellent when planted in groups of 3 - 5 to form a low-growing hedge or flowering border. Despite its susceptibility to disease, it remains a highly rewarding rose when given proper care, particularly regular spraying and good air circulation.

Its continuous blooming and strong scent also make it a lovely cut flower for small arrangements and fragrant bouquets.

It remains tidy and well-shaped without pruning excess, combining true Old Rose floral form with a modern repeat-blooming habit. Flowers remain especially attractive in hot, dry weather, when disease pressure is reduced.

The rose variety ‘Pretty Jessica’ may be susceptible to black spot, rust, and mildew therefore regular spraying for mildew, rust, and black spot is highly recommended; thrives best in dry, warm climates.

Rose variety is recommended for growing in climate conditions similar to USDA 6 and requires winter protection in more colder climates.

Named after the character Jessica from Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, this variety embodies classic elegance, intimacy of form, and enduring romantic charm.

English Shrub Roses

ORIGIN OF THE VARIETY

Rose variety ‘Ausjess’ / 'Pretty Jessica' originated by David Austin by crossing female parent (seed parent) - English shrub rose ’Ausbath’ / ‘Wife of Bath’ with the unnamed and unpatented rose seedling.

USDA 6