Empress Joséphine
Best choice for gardeners seeking classic, fragrant blooms and seasonal interest.
The Empress Joséphine rose, named for a renowned historical collector, graces gardens with its large, loosely double bright pink blooms. This variety, introduced in 1815, offers a delightful fruity Old Rose fragrance and matures into attractive orange hips. It grows as a bushy shrub with grey-green foliage, reaching approximately 4 feet in height and 3 feet in width. David Austin Roses provides a 5-year guarantee and lifetime support, ensuring this once-flowering beauty thrives.
$40.00
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
/ 5
Category Rank
34
/ 2598
#34 in Bushes & Shrubs
Price vs Category Average
+2%
Above average
Mature Height
4
/ ft
Who it's for
- Gardeners seeking the timeless elegance of historical rose forms
- Cold-climate growers needing resilient, low-maintenance shrub varieties
- Fragrance enthusiasts who enjoy cutting flowers for indoor arrangements
Who should skip it
- Gardeners wanting continuous color throughout the entire growing season
- Low-maintenance gardeners who prefer to avoid regular pruning tasks
- People planting in areas with harsh, direct afternoon sun
Performance breakdown
Bloom Aesthetic
Large, loosely double pink petals offer a classic, romantic garden presence.
Fragrance Intensity
The fruity Old Rose scent provides a sophisticated, nostalgic olfactory experience.
Seasonal Interest
Attractive orange hips extend visual appeal well beyond the flowering season.
Hardiness Range
Exceptional adaptability across USDA zones four through eleven ensures reliable growth.
Flowering Frequency
The once-flowering habit requires patience for a single, spectacular annual display.
Support Reliability
Lifetime support and a five-year guarantee offer unmatched peace of mind.
Key Specs
Mature Height
4 ft
Mature Width
3 ft
Soil Type
Well-Drained
USDA Hardiness Zones
4-11
Sunlight Exposure
Full Sun
Foliage Type
Deciduous
Fragrant Flowers
Yes
Flowering
Once Flowering
Features
- Large, bright pink double blooms
- Attractive orange hips follow blooms
- Fruity Old Rose fragrance
- Bushy shrub with grey-green foliage
- Once flowering variety
- Honors historical rose collector
What customers say
Customers overwhelmingly adore the Empress Joséphine rose for its luxurious aesthetic and powerful, complex Old Rose fragrance. The deeply cupped blooms create an exquisite, classic garden centerpiece. Reviewers consistently praise its vigorous performance and generous flowering once established, meeting high brand expectations. The primary consideration involves initial establishment; some report slow growth requiring patience. While the unparalleled beauty and sensory experience justify the premium cost for most, a few customers expect greater hardiness and disease resistance given the price, particularly in humid conditions. Overall, this highly recommended rose rewards dedicated gardeners with unmatched visual appeal.
Know before you buy
No, this is a once-flowering variety. It produces a spectacular display of bright pink blooms during its specific flowering season, but it will not repeat bloom later in the year.
Once the flowering period concludes, the shrub develops attractive orange hips. These provide visual interest and texture to your garden through the later months.
At maturity, the Empress Joséphine reaches approximately 4 feet in height and 3 feet in width. Ensure you plant it in an area that can accommodate this bushy, upright habit.
For the best results, plant this rose in a location that receives full sun and provides well-drained soil. It is quite versatile, thriving in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 11.
The fragrance is distinctly fruity with the classic, complex notes associated with historic rose varieties. It offers a pleasant, nostalgic scent that is characteristic of its 1815 heritage.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.
Ready to buy?
$40