MULLARD JUBILEE™ – pink hybrid tea rose – McGredy
Imagine stepping outside after soft Irish rain to a flush of vivid deep-pink blooms, their fragrance drifting on the air while glossy dark foliage catches the light – this is Mullard Jubilee™, a classic hybrid tea reimagined for today’s easy-going gardens. Large, exhibition-style flowers on a neat, upright habit give you armfuls of long-stemmed roses for cutting, yet the bush stays compact enough for a Dublin terrace front or small cottage border. Bred in Northern Ireland, it is naturally in tune with cool, moist conditions and shrugs off typical Irish rain and wind with reassuring reliability. Medium maintenance and solid disease resistance mean you are free to enjoy its long-lasting, strongly perfumed blooms rather than constantly fussing. Planted on its own roots in a pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2‑litre pot, it settles in steadily for a long life, with roots establishing first, then stronger shoots, and by the third year a full, impressive display. Space it thoughtfully, give reasonable drainage on clay and a sunny spot, and you can expect years of repeat flowering and generous, XL high-centred blooms that feel both nostalgic and modern.
Usage options
| Target area |
Reasoning |
| Feature rose in a small front garden |
The upright, bushy growth and XL, high‑centred blooms make Mullard Jubilee™ ideal as a single feature in a modest city or village front garden, giving strong colour and classic form without needing specialist pruning skills – a natural fit for the beginner. |
| Irish cottage-style mixed border |
Generous repeat flowering through the season means it weaves in and out of herbaceous perennials in a cottage border, providing reliable structure and deep pink highlights that balance looser planting – perfectly suiting the relaxed gardener seeking simplicity. |
| Cutting bed for home arrangements |
Exhibition-quality, long-stemmed blooms with a high-centred form are made for vases; planting a small group allows regular picking without stripping the garden, ideal for those who love bringing scented flowers indoors and value abundance. |
| Family garden focal point near seating |
The strong, long-lasting damask fragrance is best appreciated up close, so planting by a patio, bench or back door turns everyday moments into scented pauses, particularly appealing to families and visitors who cherish gentle outdoor pleasure. |
| Rain-tolerant rose for cooler, exposed sites |
Bred in Northern Ireland, this hybrid tea performs reliably in cool, damp, breezy conditions typical of many Irish gardens, coping well where summers are short and showery, reassuring those in marginal spots who still want confident colour. |
| Own-root long-term garden investment |
As an own-root rose, it builds up steadily into a stable, full-sized shrub that recovers well from weather damage or hard pruning and keeps its character over many years, suiting gardeners who prefer to plant once and enjoy lasting value. |
| Roses on improved heavy clay soil |
Tolerant of average Irish conditions, it responds well to modest soil preparation: adding organic matter, ensuring basic drainage and using mulch is usually enough to keep roots healthy and growth vigorous, reassuring time-poor gardeners who prize ease. |
| Large container on patio or terrace |
In a 40–50 litre pot with good drainage, Mullard Jubilee™ forms a dense, upright bush that showcases its big flowers and scent at eye level by the front door or seating area, a smart choice for urban gardeners wanting compact impact. |
Styling ideas
- Cottage-Pink Harmony – Combine Mullard Jubilee™ with airy nepeta, hardy geraniums and soft grasses for a relaxed Irish cottage feel – ideal for romantic gardeners who enjoy informal, flower-filled borders.
- Front-Door Welcome – Plant as a pair flanking a terrace entrance, underplanted with lavender and low box, to frame the doorway with colour and scent – perfect for homeowners wanting a gracious, low-effort welcome.
- Cutting-Garden Row – Set out a simple row with spaced plants and easy annuals like cosmos to ensure a steady supply of long-stemmed roses – suited to those who love arranging their own homegrown bouquets.
- Modern-Classic Contrast – Match its vivid pink blooms with dark foliage plants such as Phormium ‘Tom Thumb’ and deep purple heucheras – appealing to design-conscious gardeners who like a contemporary twist on classic roses.
- Patio Statement Pot – Grow one plant in a 40–50 litre container with trailing thyme or bacopa to soften the rim – made for balcony and small-terrace owners who want instant structure without redesigning the whole garden.
Technical cultivar profile
| Characteristic |
Data |
| Name and registration |
Hybrid tea rose Mullard Jubilee™ (registered as Mullard Jubilee; ARS exhibition name ‘Electron’), commemorating the 50th anniversary of Mullard Electronics; commercial group Rós taehibride. |
| Origin and breeding |
Bred by Samuel Darragh McGredy IV (Samuel McGredy & Son, Portadown, Northern Ireland) from ‘Paddy McGredy’ × ‘Prima Ballerina’; introduced after 1972 via Howard Rose Co. |
| Awards and recognition |
Highly regarded exhibition hybrid tea with major awards: RNRS Gold Medal 1969, The Hague Gold Medal 1970, Madrid Certificate 1970, Le Roeulx “Most Fragrant Rose” 1970, Belfast International Rose Trials distinction. |
| Growth and structural characteristics |
Upright, bushy shrub 100–140 cm tall and 75–105 cm wide, with dense, glossy dark green foliage and strong prickling; forms a sturdy framework suitable for specimens, borders and cutting gardens. |
| Flower morphology |
Very large (10 cm+), double, high-centred blooms with 26–39 petals on mostly solitary stems; classic pointed buds and formal exhibition form, repeating with a generous second flush in suitable conditions. |
| Colour data and phenology |
Vivid deep pink tending slightly to purple in cool light; buds dark with carmine sheen, opening to rich uniform pink that slowly pales to mauve-pink with a silvery edge; colour holds well, fading only slightly in strong sun. |
| Fragrance and aroma |
Strong, long-lasting damask fragrance with a classic spicy character; best appreciated near paths, doors or seating; blooms are very double and mainly ornamental, offering only limited accessibility for pollinating insects. |
| Hip characteristics |
Occasional ovoid hips, 12–18 mm diameter, orange-red (RHS 40A); decorative in late season but not produced in heavy quantities on well-deadheaded plants grown primarily for continuous flowering. |
| Resistance and winter hardiness |
Hardy to about –26 to –23 °C (RHS H7, USDA 5b, Swedish Zone 4); medium overall disease resistance with good tolerance to black spot and powdery mildew, moderate rust sensitivity, and preference for cooler, moist climates. |
| Horticultural recommendations |
Best in full sun with fertile, well-drained soil; improve heavy clay with compost and mulch annually; space 55–100 cm depending on use; water regularly in dry spells and deadhead to encourage repeat flowering. |
Mullard Jubilee™ offers exhibition-quality deep pink blooms, strong fragrance and reliable repeat flowering on a durable own-root shrub; an excellent choice if you would like a long-lived, characterful rose for your garden.
