It has a cupped, fully double bloom form, carried in large clusters of 5 to 5 medium-sized 3 in (76 mm) petals.

Pointed, ovoid buds open to flowers that are a bright crimson colour with yellow undertones.

With no prior knowledge of roses, Svejvda developed a successful rose-breeding program at the Central Experimental Farm (CEF) in Ottawa.

The cultivar is one of the Explorer Roses that Svejda developed to withstand the harsh Canadian winters and thrive in its short growing season.

The plant was named in honour of Alexander MacKenzie (1763—1820), the Scottish-born explorer who led the first expedition to cross the Continental Divide in Canada and reach the Pacific Coast in British Columbia.