Jacques Cartier Rose Bushes

'Jacques Cartier' Shrub Rose Bushes

Jacques Cartier is an utterly reliable Portland shrub rose. It's a longstanding favourite being maybe 150 years old. Mid pink, incredibly complex flowers complete with a 'button eye' in the centre produce the most wonderful scent enriching any garden, whether you can see the rose itself or not.

There is a first flush of blossom which almost covers the plant in early summer and then Jacques Cartier settles down to flower steadily through to October during which time it there is always at least one flower visible. In terms of colour, shape, scent and reliability this ought to be in any garden, but you aren't persuaded then why not have a look at our other British grown shrub roses here.

But give this one a second though since any rose as old as this that still holds an RHS Award of Garden Merit has to be a bit special.

Great for your garden

Jacques Cartier really wants to be in a spot where there is good air movement as it can get black spot where humidity is high. It'll tolerate some shade however and as it's not as floriferous later in the season as some other roses it can be tucked around the corner if necessary. It can grow to a considerable height as a bush, but gets a bit leggy, so it's better kept to a height of 4-5ft (about 150cm). It's also a good host for one of the smaller blue or purple flowered clematis which will clamber over it happily and provide contrast to its perfect pink flowers.

Rosa Jacques Cartier facts

• Type: Shrub (Portland)
• Colour: mid-pink
• Flower shape: Complex and quartered with 'botton eye'
• Fragrance strength: Huge
• Final height and spread: 5ft x 4ft
• Flowering season: Summer
• Repeat Flowering: Yes
• Disease resistance: Average

History & Trivia

Jacques Cartier was bred in 1868 by Moreau-Robert in France and named after the eponymous Breton explorer who conducted several voyages of exploration to North America in the mid 1500's and who claimed Canada for the French. It's a confusing rose however as it's incredibly similar to Marquise Boccella which was also bred in France, but by Jean Desprez in 1842. To make matters more complicated, in the USA (because of a labelling error) both Marquise Boccella and Jacques Cartier must now be exhibited under the name Marchesa Boccella. Confused? You should be!