Harkness Roses, breeders and growers of British roses for more than 140 years, are to launch a national campaign to revive the rose as Britain’s favourite plant in partnership with Broadcaster and Chartered Horticulturist, David Domoney. It will be promoted through social media platforms, national press and several short films are in production highlighting the benefits of this unique and beautiful plant.
Rose Awareness Week takes place in the 3rd week of June. Which in 2022 falls on the 20th of June. During this special celebration of roses, there will be plenty going on to spread the joy and love of the rose.
David Domoney says, “I have always enjoyed the beauty of the rose, having worked for two rose growers in the past and created many rose gardens myself. One of these was at RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show for House Beautiful Magazine, but my favourite was in my own garden. My passion for roses is so strong that my daughter has ‘Rose’ in her christened name. I have seen roses growing in the bitter cold and have also see them blooming in the blistering heat in Kitchener’s Garden in Luxor, Egypt which shows me the true versatility of this unique plant.”
Roses are without a doubt one of the most popular flowers in the world, with well over 30,000 varieties across the globe. Their beauty doesn’t stop in the garden as they are one of the top used cut flowers for bringing blooms indoors. They have a longstanding role in the cosmetic industry in perfumes and anti-aging treatments, as well as being used in medicinal treatments for their anti-inflammatory properties.
Over the years, this mighty plant has hit heights in the hearts of the British nation and with the positive attitude to gardening post-lockdown, it’s the ideal moment to refocus on the nation’s favourite. It’s not just the visual beauty of the flower but the uses of the plant itself. Roses are used in fragrances and perfumes, skin care, nutrition, and there is powerful symbolism as the flower that evokes feelings of love.
The new partnership hopes to reinforce and bring attention back to the rose, which has been used as a symbol since the ancient Greek and Roman times. The rose has been a withstanding and heraldic image of English kings and queens, with the recognisable Tudor rose showing a combination of the red and white rose, that brought together two houses.
Continuing the royal theme, Harkness have launched The Queen Elizabeth II Rose, selected by Her Majesty to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee. As Britain’s longest reigning monarch, the occasion is being marked by a magnificent soft pink bloom with a strong sweet scent.
To do this, videos will be launched in Spring, coinciding with an exhibit at Chelsea Flower Show in May. There will be blogs, social media campaigns, a rose giveaway and the launch of a new rose named after Peter Seabrook.
Get involved and spread the love of roses by using #RoseAwarenessWeek.
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David Domoney is a Chartered Horticulturalist, Broadcaster, and Author. David has worked with a number of the UK’s leading garden retailers as a plant buyer and strategic consultant. With more than 30 years experience, in horticulture, David is as passionate about plants now as he was when he bought his first plant at a village fete.
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