Photo: © Jackson & Perkins (originator of the variety)

Shrub; modern, with the form and fragrance of old garden rosesKeith Zary; Jackson & Perkins, 2005Yellow

Golden Zest

Rich golden yellow that does NOT fade by the end of flowering; a strong complex fragrance (aniseed, apricot, citrus, myrrh, violet); direct descendant of Golden Celebration; 🇺🇸 the legendary house of Jackson & Perkins.

'offspring' of the iconic Golden Celebration (David Austin)

Variety profile Gardeners' photos

Variety profile

Flowering

Repeat, in flushes

Repeat-flowering, in abundant flushes from late spring to late autumn. Months are approximate, for the climate of Ukraine.

Legacy

× Golden Celebration

Descendant of an iconic Austin rose

Plant size

120–130 × 100–120 cm

Habit: Upright, bushy, compact shrub
Dimensions: 120–130 cm high × 100–120 cm wide — a medium-sized shrub for a mixed border, hedge or container
Support: Not needed — a self-supporting shrub
Shoots: Strong, 'sturdy stems'
Branching: Strong stems, suitable for cutting

Flower

≈ 10 cm

100–120 petals.

Bud shape: Round, golden yellow
Open flower: Old-fashioned, cup-to-flat, quartered.
Centre: Brighter, richer gold
Fullness: Very double — ~100–120 petals (very full)
Flower carriage: Mostly singly, occasionally in small clusters

Fragrance

Strong

Strong (5/5) — complex: aniseed, apricot/peach, citrus, clove, myrrh, violet.

Disease resistance

4 out of 5

Black spotresistantPowdery mildewresistant

~4/5: high resistance to powdery mildew and black spot.

Sun

Full sun

For cutting and mass planting.

Thorns

Moderate

thornlessfewmoderatemanyvery many

No precise data — approximately a moderate number.

Foliage

Healthy; not detailed separately in the sources.

Other names

Continued Friendship, Sweet Caitlin, 100 Idées Jardin

All characteristics in a table

Group: Shrub; modern, with the form and fragrance of old garden roses
Breeder: Keith Zary; Jackson & Perkins, USA, 2005
Bud shape: Round, golden yellow
Open flower: Old-fashioned, cup-to-flat, quartered.
Centre: Brighter, richer gold
Colour: Rich golden yellow with apricot-amber edges; one of the few varieties that keeps its gold to the end of flowering, almost without fading
Fullness: Very double — ~100–120 petals (very full)
Flower carriage: Mostly singly, occasionally in small clusters
Flowering: Repeat-flowering, in abundant flushes from late spring to late autumn
Fragrance: Strong (5/5) — complex: aniseed, apricot/peach, citrus, clove, myrrh, violet
Hips: Not documented
Habit: Upright, bushy, compact shrub
Branching: Strong stems, suitable for cutting
Shoots: Strong, 'sturdy stems'
Thorns: No precise data — approximately a moderate number.
Dimensions: 120–130 cm high × 100–120 cm wide — a medium-sized shrub for a mixed border, hedge or container
Support: Not needed — a self-supporting shrub
Foliage: Healthy; not detailed separately in the sources
Resistance: ~4/5: high resistance to powdery mildew and black spot
Variations of the variety: Code JACbelgo, US patent PP 16,707. Synonyms: Continued Friendship, Sweet Caitlin, 100 Idées Jardin. Parentage: Mirabella × Golden Celebration

Colour scheme

Rich golden yellow with apricot-amber edges; one of the few varieties that keeps its gold to the end of flowering, almost without fading

Rose neighbours

Golden Celebrationgolden yellow

Molineuxwarm yellow

Julia Childbuttery yellow

Blue for Yousmoky purple · contrast

Perennials to plant nearby

Lavenderlavender

Catmint (Nepeta)blue-lilac

Woodland sageblue-violet

Lady's mantle (Alchemilla)lime greenWoodland sage

Neighbouring roses

A family of golden-yellow roses with strong fragrance — a 'honey' corner of the garden:

Golden Celebration Molineux Julia Child Blue for You

Companion perennials

Blue and lilac perennials — a contrast to the gold:

lavendercatmint (Nepeta)woodland sagelady's mantle (Alchemilla)

Why it's prized

⭐ A rare combination for a yellow rose:

🌟 the colour does NOT fade by the end of flowering
🍑 strong, complex fragrance 5/5
✂️ suitable for cutting
🇺🇦 Ukraine: available to order from nurseries

More about the variety

Hips: Not documented
Variations of the variety: Code JACbelgo, US patent PP 16,707. Synonyms: Continued Friendship, Sweet Caitlin, 100 Idées Jardin. Parentage: Mirabella × Golden Celebration

How to grow

Where to plant. In a mixed border, a low hedge, a large container; because of the strong fragrance — beside paths and seating areas.

Climate. USDA 6b–9b (≈ −18…−23 °C); in colder parts of Ukraine it overwinters with cover.

Care. Full sun (min. 6 h), fertile, well-drained soil; regular deadheading prolongs the flushes of bloom; moderate disease prevention.

About the name

Name. 'Golden Zest' — roughly 'golden flavour' or 'golden spark': 'golden' refers to the rich golden-yellow colour, while 'zest' suggests liveliness and at the same time a bright citrus-spicy fragrance (citrus notes are present). The name plays on both colour and scent.

Breeding. Bred by Keith Zary for the house of Jackson & Perkins (USA, founded 1872 — a legendary introducer of garden roses), introduced 2005, code JACbelgo, US patent PP 16,707. Parentage: Mirabella × Golden Celebration — a direct descendant of David Austin's iconic 'Golden Celebration'.

Significance. One of the most fragrant modern yellow roses, with a complex, multi-layered scent. A rare quality — it keeps its golden colour to the end of flowering, almost without fading in the sun (a typical weakness of yellows). It inherited the form and spirit of old roses from its parent, Golden Celebration.

Frequently asked questions about Golden Zest

How many times a season does Golden Zest flower?

Repeat-flowering, in abundant flushes from late spring to late autumn.

How big does Golden Zest grow?

120–130 cm tall, 100–120 cm wide.

Which diseases affect Golden Zest?

Overall resistance: 4 out of 5. High resistance to mildew and black spot.

How much sun does Golden Zest need?

Sun; full sun; for cutting and mass planting.

What does Golden Zest smell like?