The Ultimate Guide To: Absolutely Fabulous Rose

Known in the UK as Absolutely Fabulous after the BBC comedy, the rose was originally named after TV Chef Julia Child in the USA. Julia Child was a pioneer of TV cookery in the States with her show The French Chef that first aired in 1962. Her association with the rose occurred at Rose Story Farm in California. Purchased by the Hahns in 1988, they transformed orchards of lemon trees into a 25 acre rose farm – this despite little knowledge of farming.

Julia Child became a friend of the family regularly joining them for Sunday dinners and holiday celebrations. During these gatherings Danielle Hahn’s father, Lorenzo, would attempt to persuade Child to lend her name to a rose – particularly a yellow rose the colour of which she favoured. Child had never sponsored a range of kitchen equipment or even a scholarship believing that it would only benefit individuals. Lorenzo would point out that a rose was accessible to everyone but to no avail. For years she resisted their entreaties until one day, unannounced, she arrived at the farm with her lawyer and proceeded to choose her rose.

She found it in Danielle’s test garden where growers would assess their plants in various climates. Danielle was at pains to state that Julia was attracted by the colour and unusual scent – not because it looked and smelled of butter (a silly contrivance often purported).

Soil #

Flourishes in a variety of soils especially when mulched with manure or compost. Moist but well-drained and slightly acidic to neutral if possible (ph 6.0 – 7.0). Fertilise in early spring with balanced rose fertiliser and repeat according to packet instructions. Read our planting guide here.

Toxicity #

None reported.

Hardiness #

RHS rating of H6 indicating a minimum temperature range of -15C to -20C.

Diseases and Pests #

Excellent disease resistance. While yellow roses have had a reputation for disease susceptibility however,  this is largely a historical issue. Modern yellow roses – especially award winners – are much less prone to infection. Nevertheless it should be standard practice to be vigilant for signs of common threats such as mildew and blackspot. Signs of insects such as aphids and mites should also be monitored.

Treat mildew by pruning affected leaves.

Treat aphids by growing plants that attract insects that prey on aphids. See companion plants below.

Treat blackspot by pruning affected leaves, destroying fallen leaves.

We do not recommend using chemical fungicides as they risk reducing soil health and negatively affecting biodiversity.

See our help guides for more details.

Position #

Full sun to dappled shade in mid-border. For containers ensure the pot is at least 12 inches deep and 15 inches in diameter with drainage holes. Plant a minimum of 60 cm apart from other roses. Read our planting guide here.

Cut Flowers #

Strong stems and medium-sized blooms make for an excellent cut flower. Read our ‘How to Cut a Rose For Display’ guide here.

Watering #

Keep the soil consistently moist, especially during the growing season. Water at the base of the plant to prevent fungal diseases. Read our watering guide here.

Feeding #

Slow-release feed early in the season followed by foliar feed during the growing period. Read our feeding guide here.

A granular, slow release feed such as English Roses Protect & Grow Slow Release Rose Feed supports all round health, and nutrients are released steadily over the course of a few months. Combine this with a foliar feed such as English Roses Protect & Grow Rose Foliar Feed in the summer months, for a quick burst of nutrients that encourage beautiful blooms.

Pruning #

Hard prune in February or March. Regular deadheading during the season promotes new growth. See our pruning guide here.

Propagation #

By hardwood cuttings in Autumn or chip budding in summer.