Meet the Jane Goodall Rose, a Stunning Bloom with a Message of Hope

The world recently lost a beloved conservation icon, Dr. Jane Goodall, whose pioneering work studying chimpanzees and advocating for environmental protection inspired generations.

With her groundbreaking research and the Jane Goodall Institute, she inspired global conservation and youth programs, leaving a lasting impact on science and environmental advocacy. Her lifetime of achievements earned her prestigious honors, including the Kyoto Prize and recognition as a United Nations (UN) Messenger of Peace.

Her legacy lives on not only through her research and tireless advocacy but also in the form of a beautiful tribute in gardens everywhere: the Jane Goodall Rose. Created in her honor, this rose symbolizes her lifelong mission to protect people, animals, and the environment, offering gardeners a living reminder of her extraordinary impact and enduring message of hope.

The Dr. Jane Goodall hybrid tea rose gives a nod to the legendary conservationist in one beautiful bloom. Each four-inch flower opens with soft pink petals that fade to a sunny yellow base, complemented by lighter reverse tones that make it striking from every angle.

The plant grows to a medium height of 3 to 4 feet, with glossy, dark green foliage that provides a dramatic backdrop for the double flowers. It is exceptionally disease-resistant and low-maintenance, thriving in well-drained soil and full sun. The blossoms release a delicate, spicy fragrance. This rose is hardy in USDA Zones 4-9.

According to Wes Harvell, Rose Category Manager and Rosarian for Jackson & Perkins, the Jane Goodall Rose was bred by Dr. Keith Zary and introduced by Jackson & Perkins in 2017.

A Tribute to an Icon

“With its soft blush-pink petals and graceful form, the rose embodies the qualities that defined Dr. Goodall’s life and legacy: resilience, beauty, and hope for the future,” Harvell said. “This rose is a tribute to Dr. Goodall’s groundbreaking contributions to science, her advocacy for conservation, and her ability to connect people of all ages to the natural world.”

Harvell explained that the rose’s design was very personal, saying that, much like Goodall gave names rather than numbers to the chimpanzees she studied, the rose bears her name to reflect her human-centered approach to science.

The Unveiling of Goodall’s Rose

Henry Breed, political adviser in the UN General Assembly, proposed creating the Jane Goodall Rose in hopes of planting it at the UN’s International Peace Garden. It was unveiled alongside Goodall herself at the Wrigley Mansion rose garden in Pasadena on October 10, 2017, in collaboration with Jackson & Perkins nursery, according to the Whittier Daily News.

At the unveiling, Goodall addressed the audience with a heartfelt message: “In the spring, hopefully this [flower] will be in the U.N., and boy does the world need peace. So, little rose, you have a lot of work ahead of you.”

“The Jane Goodall Rose symbolizes hope,” Harvell said. “For gardeners, it offers a way to keep her legacy blooming year after year—a reminder of her message that each of us can make a difference. Planting or gifting the Jane Goodall Rose is an act of remembrance and a commitment to continue Dr. Goodall’s work of compassion, curiosity, and care for all living things.”

All Proceeds Go to the Goodall Institute

Harvell explained that proceeds from the rose’s release also helped support the Jane Goodall Institute’s mission. Proceeds from the sale of the rose were used to support Goodall’s primate research and her programs aiding underprivileged communities worldwide.

He remembers Goodall fondly from the project’s early stages. “Jane was very kind and gracious in all of her interactions with me and Jackson & Perkins, and she was totally thrilled that we named a rose in her honor,” Harvell said. “She was very easy to work with and had a way of always making you feel special. I truly miss her and am proud that we were able to help her in her life’s mission.”