Everything’s looking rosy for the Queen’s Jubilee
It’s celebration time, when people nationwide will be enjoying a garden or street party for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, writes HANNAH STEPHENSON.
In gardens, thanks to the mild spring, many roses will be in bloom, and many more are named in honour of royals. Several new varieties have been launched to mark Platinum Jubilee celebrations, while old favourites with a royal connection are sure to bring colour and scent to the event. Here are a few to look out for...
ELIZABETH David Austin Roses, davidaustinroses.co.uk
New this year, this graceful pale pink-apricot rose has been launched by David Austin Roses to mark the occasion. It’s a repeat-flowering shrub rose with a strong sweet fragrance, and hints of lemon sherbet and Old Rose.
Suitable for a mixed border, rose border and shady areas, this rose will become a shapely shrub if pruned correctly.
CLARENCE HOUSE Peter Beales, classicroses.co.uk
This modern climber, which bears creamy white blooms with tints of soft primrose yellow, was given to the Queen Mother for her centenary at Sandringham Flower Show, and reportedly named at her express wish. It has a citrus scent, glossy foliage and double flowers, which are excellent for cutting.
DUKE OF EDINBURGH Harkness Roses, roses.co.uk
This newly bred deep pink commemorative rose was officially named in memory of the Duke of
Edinburgh and presented to the Queen in 2021.
A royalty from the sale of each rose will go to The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award Living Legacy Fund, which will give more young people the opportunity to take part in the Duke of Edinburgh Award.
WILLIAM AND CATHERINE
David Austin Roses, davidaustinroses.co.uk This subtle, fragrant white rose was launched to celebrate the Royal Wedding in 2011. It produces white, shallowly cupped, full-petalled blooms with impressive regularity throughout summer.
They have a pure myrrh fragrance and form an attractive shrub with bushy, relatively upright growth.
PRINCESS ANNE David Austin Roses, davidaustinroses.co.uk
Launched in honour of the Princess Royal in 2010, this award-winning favourite shrub rose has deep pink, almost red, young flowers which fade to pure rich pink, with a hint of yellow on their undersides.
Held in large, fragrant clusters, they are produced with remarkable freedom. A particularly healthy variety, it forms a bushy, upright shrub with thick, succulent, highly polished foliage.