Seven-Leaflet Growth on Gertrude Jekyll Rose: Normal Trait

Seven leaflets on a David Austin rose like 'Gertrude Jekyll' isn't a sucker—it's a breed characteristic from old rose ancestry.

Debunking the Myth

Many believe 5 leaflets = cultivar, 7 leaflets = rootstock. False. Austin roses incorporate old garden rose genetics, frequently producing 7-leaflet foliage on genuine cultivar canes.

Managing Growth Habit

'Gertrude Jekyll' throws tall canes that bloom only at tips. For more flowers lower down:

• Cut canes back by 12 inches when they reach 3 feet
• This promotes branching and more flowering sites
• Creates a fuller, more floriferous bush

Embrace the seven leaflets—they signal your rose's noble lineage.