Nestled in the heart of London, Chiswick House and Garden is renowned for its stunning camellias and expansive grounds. However, many visitors are unaware that this historic park is also home to what is believed to be England's earliest rose garden. Planted in the early 19th century, the Chiswick Rosary is a hidden gem that continues to enchant visitors with its rich history and vibrant old rose blooms.
A Garden Inspired by French Elegance
The Chiswick Rosary was created some time between 1804 and 1811 for Duchess Georgiana, who was captivated by the roses she encountered in France. Inspired by the French gardens, the Rosary was designed to delight the senses with its array of colors and fragrances. Today, the garden boasts over 140 heritage roses, many of which date back to its original planting.
A Historical Haven of Roses
The Rosary is a distinct, formal triangular area within the Gardens, easily recognizable by the Venus de Medici Doric column (1729). This serene space is a testament to mid-19th century garden design, featuring neat topiary, flowering shrubs, and a stunning display of roses that reach their peak bloom in June. While the roses are at their most fragrant and colorful in early summer, the garden offers year-round interest with its autumnal rose hips and evergreen topiary.
A French Connection
The roses at Chiswick have a fascinating link to the French château Malmaison, the residence of Empress Joséphine, wife of Napoleon Bonaparte. Who Duchess Georgiana knew personally and was a close Empress Joséphine's renowned rose garden at Malmaison featured around 250 varieties of roses, many of which were documented by the Belgian artist Pierre-Joseph Redouté. Lewis Kennedy, who designed the Italian Garden at Chiswick, previously worked at Malmaison, and his influence is evident in the garden's design elements.
The Evolution of the Chiswick Rosary
The Doric Column and Rosary: A Historic Rose Garden Gem
Nestled in the grounds of Chiswick House lies a charming rose garden with a rich history dating back to the early 18th century. At its heart stands the Doric Column, believed to have been designed by Lord Burlington around 1728. Originally, this elegant structure was crowned with a copy of the Venus de Medici statue, mirroring the one in Florence's Uffizi Gallery.
The garden's layout has evolved over the centuries. By 1736, the column served as the focal point of a small triangular area with six radiating paths. In the early 19th century, the fifth Duke of Devonshire transformed this space into a rose garden, first recorded in 1811.
Like many historic gardens, this beautiful spot faced periods of decline. By the 1950s, the rose beds had been replaced with grass, and the Venus statue mysteriously vanished in the late 19th century. Happily, recent restoration efforts have breathed new life into this treasured space.
The Rosary's Revival
The garden's rebirth began in 1990, closely following its 19th-century design. In 2009, a recreation of the Venus de Medici statue was placed atop the restored Doric Column, returning the garden to its former glory. The following year, six fan-shaped beds were planted with old rose varieties, including some generously donated by David Austin Roses.
Today's visitors can admire seven rose beds showcasing different historic varieties:
1. Alba: Tough, fragrant roses in soft pink or white, dating back to the Middle Ages.
2. Centifolia: Large shrubs with rounded flowers, often seen in Dutch Master paintings.
3. Damask: Ancient, fragrant roses brought from the Middle East by Crusaders.
4. Gallica: The oldest garden roses, featuring dark, beautifully formed flowers with few thorns.
5. Moss: Roses with a unique, fragrant moss-like growth on their sepals.
6. Portland: Strongly scented crosses between Old Roses and repeat-flowering Chinese varieties.
Interestingly, during a 2024 visit, it was noted that the Gallica roses now occupy two beds instead of one, bringing the total to seven beds.
Thanks to careful maintenance since its 2010 restoration, the Doric Column and Rosary continue to delight visitors with their lush beauty and rich history. This enchanting garden serves as a living testament to the enduring appeal of historic roses and the art of garden design.
List Of Roses Identified At The Chiswick Rosary/Rose Garden
- Rosa centifolia ‘Soupert et Notting’ (1874)
- The Emily Bronte
- The Boscabel
- Old Pink Moss - Moss Rose (1700)
- Shailer’s White Moss - Centifolia Rose (1788)
- Nuits de Young - Moss Rose (1845)
- Rene D'Anjou - Moss Rose
- Soupert Et Notting - Moss Rose
- Comtesse De Muria - Moss Rose
- Gloire Des Mousseux - Moss Rose
- Jeanne de Montfort - Moss Rose
- President de Sèze - Gallica Rose
- Belle Isis - Gallica Rose
- De Meaux - Centifolia Rose (1789)
- Chapeau De Napolleon - Centifolia Rose (1845)
- Petite De Hollander - Centifolia Rose
- Robert le Diable - Centifolia Rose (1849)
- MME Hardy - Damask rose
- Gloire De Guilan - Damask rose (1949)
- Ispahan - Damask Rose
- Nestor - Gallica Rose
- Rosa Mundi - Gallica Rose
- Tuscany - Gallica Rose
- R. gallica 'Officinalis' - Gallica Rose (Pre 1400)
- Empress Josephine - Gallica Rose (1815)
- Mousseline - Moss Rose (1855)
- Rose Complicata
- Rose Camaieux
- Rosa Glauca
- Rosa the Fairy
- Gertrude Jekyll (1986)
- Adélaïde d'Orléans (1826)
- .....
More Than Just England's First Rose Garden
Chiswick House and Garden offers more than just its historic Rosary. A stroll from the rose garden towards the conservatory reveals a field of modern roses, including some of the best varieties from David Austin Roses like 'Queen of Sweden' and 'Boscobel'. The Italian Gardens further amaze with lush pink roses arranged in flower beds, festoons of climbing roses, rows of China roses, and a remarkable standard rose with a nearly 18-foot-high stem.
List Of Roses Identified At The Chiswick Italian Garden
- Rosa the Fairy
- Gertrude Jekyll
- Adélaïde dOrleans
A compact, spreading rose with countless small pink blooms, 'Rosa the Fairy' thrives in the central flower beds of the Chiswick Italian Garden. Its glossy dark green foliage and distinct appearance make it easy to spot.
Rose Gertrude Jekyll is a pink shrub rose, bred by David Austin in 1986, is a standout in the Italian Garden. Over 150 plants are featured throughout the garden, including its central and perimeter flower beds. Renowned for its beauty, health, and captivating fragrance, 'Gertrude Jekyll' is a quintessential David Austin rose.
Climbing white roses, 'Adélaïde d'Orleans', adorn the columns surrounding the Italian Garden. They provide a striking contrast to the pink 'Gertrude Jekyll' roses.
List Of Roses Identified By Kitchen Garden
- Queen of Sweden
- Boscobel
- Wisley 2008
- Mary Delany (Ausorts)
- Mayflower (Austilly)
- Lady of Shalott (Ausnyson)
- Gentle Hermione (Ausrumba)
- .....
The Chiswick House garden is a paradise for rose enthusiasts, boasting an impressive variety of roses that continually expands.
This list of roses is a starting point, as it's likely not exhaustive. If you visit the garden and spot a rose that isn't included here, please share your findings. Together, we can help the garden volunteers create a comprehensive catalogue of the roses that grace this beautiful space.
Whether you're a rose enthusiast or simply looking for a peaceful retreat, Chiswick House and Garden is a must-visit destination. Come and immerse yourself in the timeless beauty and rich history of England's earliest rose garden.
