The colour of the petals varies from crimson through lilac‑purple tones to a mauve shade. - historic, bourbon rose - strong, long-lasting scented rose - full-bodied, bourbon-like aroma
– Strong, long‑lasting bourbon‑like fragrance
– Richly double, cup‑shaped crimson blooms
– Historic rose with classic shrub habit
– Hardy to approx. −32 °C, reliable outdoors
– Suitable for hedging, beds and parks Special feature: Colour shifts from deep crimson to smoky lilac‑mauve tones, giving a changing display through flowering.
Forms and contours – Sustainable garden design
pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL 2-litre own-root potted rose
18,30 €
4(6066)
GIPSY BOY – crimson historic-Bourbon rose - Geschwind
Gipsy Boy is a richly scented historic Bourbon shrub rose that gives You a season-defining wave of deep, velvety bloom with remarkably colour‑stable flowers. Its once‑a‑year flowering is generous and dramatic, covering the upright, arching framework in clusters of medium, double blooms that open flat to reveal smoky mauve and lilac‑purple tones. Over time, this well-rooted own‑root rose builds a strong, long‑lived bush with dense mid‑green foliage, coping well even in our damp Irish weather where good air movement helps manage humidity-related problems. Left to mature, it shapes itself into a structural feature that anchors beds, hedges or mixed borders without fussy pruning. The 2‑litre pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL plant is easy to handle and arrives “ready to start”, so You can simply plant, water and watch as year one focuses on roots, year two on framework, and by year three the rose reaches its full ornamental impact. Ideal for cottage‑style gardens, traditional front gardens or informal hedging, it rewards patient gardeners with a reliable annual display, atmospheric fragrance and occasional decorative hips, all from a robust, own-root plant that regenerates well and promises a long garden lifespan. Use it where You want character, structure and scent more than constant repeat flowering, and enjoy a beautiful result without complicated maintenance.
Gipsy Boy showing colour changes from bud to full bloom.
Gipsy Boy shows double flowers with a well-filled centre.
Gipsy Boy displays dense, matte mid-green foliage.
Use cases
Target area
Reason
Feature shrub in a small to medium family garden
Forms a tall, upright, arching shrub with dense foliage, giving strong visual presence from a single plant. Ideal when You want a characterful, structural centrepiece that needs only straightforward seasonal pruning for beginners
Cottage-style front garden by the house
The crimson to mauve, old-fashioned double blooms and historic character suit relaxed cottage or village-front styles. One main flush of flowers keeps upkeep simple, ideal if You prefer a traditional look without constant deadheading for homeowners
Informal flowering hedge along a boundary or path
Planted at hedge spacing, the upright, arching canes knit into a leafy, flowering screen; dense prickles help discourage access. Once established, it needs only occasional trimming, fitting well where You want privacy and seasonal colour with modest effort for families
Historic or period-themed planting schemes
As a 1909 Geschwind Bourbon rose, it fits naturally into period gardens and heritage-style designs. The strong, old-rose fragrance and traditional flower form reinforce a sense of history that appeals to lovers of classic roses and collectors
Flower bed focal point in mixed planting
The good colour retention and large, once-yearly flush draw the eye, while the mid-green foliage provides a calm backdrop for perennials and grasses. Works well where You want one reliable accent to anchor a simple, low-fuss combination for designers
Rural garden with occasional colder winters
With hardiness down to approximately −32 °C (H7, USDA 4b), Gipsy Boy is well suited to exposed or inland Irish sites. Its robust framework and own-root habit support long-term reliability, even after harsher winters, reassuring cautious gardeners
Sites with typical Irish rainfall and heavier soils
Handles our wet climate well provided drainage is improved, helping in gardens where prolonged dampness can challenge other roses; this makes it easier to enjoy roses without complex soil management in areas often troubled by persistent moist, fungal-prone conditions for starters
Low-intervention, long-term planting plans
As an own-root shrub it develops its natural shape over the years and can regrow from the base if cut back, supporting sustainable, long-lived plantings where You prefer structure and scent over constant tasks, suiting time-poor but quality-conscious owners
Decorating ideas
COTTAGE HEDGE – Create an informal boundary by repeating Gipsy Boy in a loose line, underplanted with catmint and hardy geraniums for a frothy summer edge – ideal for families wanting an easy, traditional look
PERENNIAL PARTNER – Place a specimen in a mixed bed with Echinops, Achillea and tall salvia to contrast the smoky crimson blooms against airy seedheads – good for beginners who like simple but striking combinations
GRASSY TEXTURE – Pair Gipsy Boy with Stipa tenuissima ‘Pony Tails’ and Pennisetum alopecuroides so the fine grasses soften its arching canes and hips – perfect for homeowners after movement and structure with little upkeep
PERIOD FEATURE – Use one or three plants near a doorway, lamp post or old wall, with lavender and rosemary at the base to highlight the historic, fragrant character – suited to cottage and village gardens
PARK-STYLE GROUP – In a larger space, mass-plant Gipsy Boy in a gentle curve and edge with low box or hebe to echo traditional park borders – appealing to those who enjoy classic layouts without intensive maintenance
Technical cultivar profile
Parameter
Data
Name and registration
Trade name Gipsy Boy Historic rose Geschwind, a historic Bourbon shrub rose. American Rose Society exhibition name Gipsy Boy. Unregistered cultivar with no separate registered code name.
Origin and breeding
Bred by Rudolf Geschwind in Austria around 1909, probably from a ‘Russelliana’ seedling. First distributed by Peter Lambert in Germany; considered part of the historic rose heritage.
Growth and structure
Medium to tall shrub, around 130–180 cm high and 100–150 cm wide. Upright, arching growth with dense mid-green matte foliage and plentiful prickles, forming a substantial, bushy framework over time.
Flower morphology
Medium-sized, double flowers with roughly 26–39 petals, produced in clusters. Buds open cup-shaped then flatten, giving a broad, old-fashioned appearance. Main flowering occurs once per season, not remontant.
Colour and phenology
Closed buds deep crimson-red with purplish tips. Blooms open crimson with purplish-violet centres, ageing through lilac-purple to mauve and smoky lilac-pink. Colour holds well, though can lighten slightly in strong sun.
Fragrance and aroma
Strong, full-bodied Bourbon-style perfume, noticeable around the plant in still conditions. Fragrance is long-lasting on the blooms, contributing significantly to its value as a feature shrub or near-seating rose.
Rose hip characteristics
Due to the double flower form, hips are produced only occasionally. When present they are spherical, about 12–18 mm, orange-red, and provide modest ornamental interest in late season.
Resistance and hardiness
Very hardy, approximately −32 to −29 °C (H7, USDA 4b, Swedish zone 5). Disease resistance moderate to powdery mildew, black spot and rust; benefits from good air circulation, balanced feeding and occasional preventive care.
Horticultural recommendations
Suitable for beds, specimens, hedging and park-style use; also manages light partial shade. Space 105–200 cm depending on role. In containers, use at least a 40–50 litre pot with good drainage and regular watering.
Gipsy Boy offers strong old-rose fragrance, reliable structure and good cold hardiness, while its own-root form supports long-term regeneration and easy care; it is a thoughtful choice if You want a characterful historic rose.
Detailed product attributes
Product Identification Data
Product Name:
GIPSY BOY – crimson historic-Bourbon rose - Geschwind
Product Type:
pharmaROSA® ORIGINAL - 2-litre own-root potted rose
Pollinator Attraction:
Double (26–39 petals) flowers attract pollinators only to a limited extent, as the fully double form restricts access to the stamens, reducing nectar and pollen availability.
Pollinator-Friendly Rating:
Its double (26–39‑petal) flowers limit pollinator access, so it has limited pollinator value and is primarily ornamental.
Rose Hip Notes:
Due to its double-flowered habit, hips form only occasionally; they are spherical, 12–18 mm in diameter, orange-red and can have ornamental value.
Our product is a rose grown with unique pharmaROSA® cultivation technology!
2 litre, own-root, potted rose.
With shoots appropriate to the season.
With roots thoroughly interwoven through the growing medium.
Quality in line with the requirements of the E.N.A. (European Nurserystock Association).
In unique packaging that prevents damage.
Can be planted during frost-free periods.
True-to-type rose plant with an individual identifier.
The pharmaROSA® own-root potted rose is a well-rooted plant that supports reliable establishment when planted and cared for properly, so it can be planted whenever the soil is not frozen.
Stock: several varieties and several stages of development in a short stock section.Shoot system: intensive growth of fresh basal shoots on a young plant.Root system: presentation of the strong root system interwoven through the growing medium with the pot removed.Balance: mature plant where the development of the root system and the shoots is in harmony.
Information about the videos
The video series is not a “seasonal showcase”, but makes the essence of pharmaROSA® own-root production tangible: how the plant is built, what the root system is like and how the shoots renew themselves. The footage was therefore taken at different times, showing plants at different stages of development, so mixed leaf coverage or differing growth stages may appear in the videos. This is not a “sample” of the batch delivered, but an illustration of how the technology works. The current condition of the rose available to order — typical of the given period and similar to what you can expect to receive in the parcel — is shown at the top of the product page.
Pages for private customers Garden roses for the family garden, with minimal care → ORIGINAL® Premium garden roses – instant impact, a truly showpiece garden → EXTRA® Pages for professionals and private customers Roses for public spaces – large areas, sustainable maintenance → NATURAL® Roses for projects – hedge and row planting, fast implementation → RAPID® For professional partners only Production – propagation material for garden roses, wholesale → NEONATAL®
Company details
PharmaRosa Ltd. Company registration number: 01-09-717479 VAT number: 13075314-2-43 Plant health registration no.: HU130721 Bank account (IBAN): HU85117631891388688400000000 BIC (SWIFT): OTPVHUHB Bank name: OTP Bank Nyrt.
