English ShrubDavid C.H. Austin, 1992Yellow

Golden Celebration

RHS AGM 2001; parentage 'Charles Austin' × 'Abraham Darby'; one of the largest and most golden of the Austin English Roses.

'Golden Jubilees' · David Austin

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat flowering

Repeat-flowering, in flushes through the season — from June to the first frosts. Months are approximate, for the climate of Ukraine.

Awards

RHS AGM

2001 · Award of Garden Merit

Winter hardiness

−29 °C

USDA zone 5–11. All of Ukraine with minimal cover.

Compare reference temperatures

Plant size

120–150 × 90–120 cm

Habit: A vigorous shrub with long arching canes; in warm regions it can be grown as a small climber up to 180 cm
Dimensions: 120–150 cm high × 90–120 cm wide; up to 180 cm in hot climates
Support: Not essential; a light support (a low obelisk) helps hold the heavy flowers; as a climber — an arch or trellis
Shoots: Long, arching, bending over time under the weight of the large flowers
Branching: Good, even

Flower

10–13 cm

Bud shape: Round, deep orange-red bud — a dramatic contrast with the golden open flower
Open flower: Deep cup-shaped 'giant cup' — one of the largest English Roses; diameter 10–13 cm
Centre: Apricot tone near the centre, lightening towards the edge
Fullness: Very double, 40–75 petals
Flower carriage: Singly or in small clusters of 2–3

Fragrance

Strong

Strong fruity — David Austin's official description: 'notes of Sauvignon/Sauternes and strawberry', with fine tea notes. One of the most complex fragrances among Austin English Roses.

Disease resistance

3 out of 5

Black spotsusceptible

Moderate — prone to black spot (blackspot) — the variety's weak point; needs preventive treatment 2-3 times per season.

Sun

Full sun for the richest golden colour

Thorns

Moderate

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

Moderate number, typical of Austin English Roses.

Foliage

Medium green, semi-glossy.

All characteristics in a table

Group: English Shrub
Breeder: David C.H. Austin, United Kingdom, 1992
Bud shape: Round, deep orange-red bud — a dramatic contrast with the golden open flower
Open flower: Deep cup-shaped 'giant cup' — one of the largest English Roses; diameter 10–13 cm
Centre: Apricot tone near the centre, lightening towards the edge
Colour: Rich golden yellow ('rich yellow'); David Austin officially describes it as 'deep yellow with an apricot tinge'; the tone stays stable in the sun (does not fade to white)
Fullness: Very double, 40–75 petals
Flower carriage: Singly or in small clusters of 2–3
Flowering: Repeat-flowering, in flushes through the season — from June to the first frosts
Fragrance: Strong fruity — David Austin's official description: 'notes of Sauvignon/Sauternes and strawberry', with fine tea notes. One of the most complex fragrances among Austin English Roses
Hips: Possible ornamental hips in autumn
Habit: A vigorous shrub with long arching canes; in warm regions it can be grown as a small climber up to 180 cm
Branching: Good, even
Shoots: Long, arching, bending over time under the weight of the large flowers
Thorns: Moderate number, typical of Austin English Roses.
Dimensions: 120–150 cm high × 90–120 cm wide; up to 180 cm in hot climates
Support: Not essential; a light support (a low obelisk) helps hold the heavy flowers; as a climber — an arch or trellis
Foliage: Medium green, semi-glossy
Resistance: Moderate — prone to black spot (blackspot) — the variety's weak point; needs preventive treatment 2-3 times per season
Variations of the variety: Code AUSgold; parentage 'Charles Austin' × 'Abraham Darby'; no renamings — sold only as Golden Celebration

Colour scheme

Rich golden yellow ('rich yellow'); David Austin officially describes it as 'deep yellow with an apricot tinge'; the tone is stable in the sun (does not fade to white)

Rose neighbours

Graham Thomaspure yellow

Abraham Darbyapricot-peach

Charlottesoft yellow

Munstead Wooddark raspberry · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Lavender 'Hidcote'lavender

Delphinium 'Pacific Giant'blue

Catmint 'Walker's Low'sky blue

Salvia 'Caradonna'purple

Neighbouring roses

Yellow Austin family, Abraham Darby as parent, and a classic yellow companion:

Graham Thomas Abraham Darby Charlotte Munstead Wood

Companion perennials

Purple-blue accents — a classic contrast to golden yellow:

lavender 'Hidcote'delphinium 'Pacific Giant'catmint 'Walker's Low'salvia 'Caradonna'

Availability worldwide

One of the best-known Austin English Roses — a worldwide bestseller:

🇪🇺 Europe: VERY HIGH · David Austin Roses · everywhere
🇺🇸 USA: VERY HIGH · David Austin USA
🇯🇵 Asia: VERY HIGH · Japan loves Austin
🇺🇦 Ukraine: high · a top Austin rose at garden centres

More about the variety

Hips: Possible ornamental hips in autumn
Variations of the variety: Code AUSgold; parentage 'Charles Austin' × 'Abraham Darby'; no renamings — sold only as Golden Celebration

How to grow

Where to plant. Sunny borders, the centre of a romantic yellow garden, as a single bush; the large flowers look good with a low support (a light obelisk 100–120 cm); in warm regions — on a south-facing wall as a small climber; lovely paired with blue delphinium — the classic 'flame and sky' pairing.

Climate. To −29 °C — all of Ukraine with minimal cover; the south — no cover; holds its colour in the sun.

Care. Classic Austin English — spring pruning by a third; preventive treatment against black spot is essential (2–3 fungicide sprays per season); deadheading stimulates new flushes; copes well with watering in the heat.

About the name

Name. 'Golden Celebration' means 'a golden celebration'. It is not dedicated to a specific person — David Austin recommends it as the ideal rose for a 'Golden Wedding' (50th wedding anniversary) and other golden jubilees. It is a 'gift rose' for important family dates.

Breeding. Bred by David C.H. Austin, Albrighton, UK, 1992. Code AUSgold. Parentage: 'Charles Austin' (AUSfather, 1973) × 'Abraham Darby' (AUScot, 1985). Both parents are also Austin English Roses: 'Charles Austin' — a golden-apricot shrub (named after David Austin's father), 'Abraham Darby' — a fruity apricot legendary variety. So Golden Celebration is the 'genetic queen of the yellow Austins'.

Significance. RHS AGM 2001 (Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society) — Britain's main award for garden plants. One of the best-known Austin English Roses, among the top 10 sellers of David Austin Roses. A special trait — the fragrance: the official description includes 'notes of Sauternes wine and strawberry' — a complex combination, rare even among Austins. In world perfumery, Golden Celebration and Gertrude Jekyll are regarded as two model Austin-bred roses for perfume. Its weak point is susceptibility to black spot; this must be known and prevented against.

Frequently asked questions about Golden Celebration

Does Golden Celebration need winter protection?

The cultivar’s reference temperature is −29 °C (USDA zone 5–11). Overwintering depends on the conditions. All of Ukraine with minimal cover.

How many times a season does Golden Celebration flower?

Repeat-flowering, in flushes through the season — from June to the first frosts.

How big does Golden Celebration grow?

120–150 cm tall, 90–120 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Golden Celebration?

Overall resistance: 3 out of 5. Moderate; prone to black spot; needs preventive care.

How much sun does Golden Celebration need?

Sun; full sun for the richest golden colour.

What does Golden Celebration smell like?