A new rose has been bred by Harkness Roses 1879, celebrating the magnificent heritage of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. This stunning rose will be launched at the Chelsea Flower Show in May.
Like the iconic scarlet coat worn with pride by the Chelsea Pensioners, our hybrid tea bush rose, splendours a similar shade. During the selection of the Chelsea Pensioner rose, Patrick Cody, one of the Chelsea Pensioners and a long time rose enthusiast, has been involved in helping to select the variety.
“The rose had to be scarlet. It had to be tough and hardy – like a Chelsea Pensioner – and it had to be garden-worthy,” says The Royal Hospital’s Head of Grounds and Gardens, Ric Glenn. After a rigorous process of testing and consultation with the Chelsea Pensioners, the experts at Harkness found the plant that they say still makes “our hearts flutter in excitement and joy.”
The rose has abundant glossy leaves, the shine is almost as dazzling as the pensioners’ shoes. It exhibits resilience against disease and is a pleasure to grow in the garden. Another attribute of this variety is its longevity as a cut flower.
When fully open a bloom may be up to 10cms wide with each individual bloom creating its own impact. An abundance of these scarlet blooms makes a spectacular display. Its light fragrance evokes spicy notes of cinnamon and cloves. Rich, radiant and simply delightful.
Some 300 Army veterans live at the Royal Hospital today, including those who have served in Korea, the Falkland Islands, Cyprus, Northern Ireland, and World War II. Others may not have served in campaigns, but all understand what it means to be a soldier and the potential sacrifice that it entails.
The Royal Hospital is a Grade I and II listed site, a beautiful architectural legacy left by Charles II and Sir Christopher Wren. Maintenance of the site continues today with ongoing restoration work to ensure that this legacy lives on into the future.
Rose Information
Radiant and rich Hybrid Tea flowers, each with up to 50 red petals, coat the plant of mid to dark green foliage, with glossy leaves across summer. What’s more, the blooms release a delicate fragrance, which is complex, yet encapsulating, with subtle hints of spice.
Height/Spread: 90x60cm
Rose Type: Bush Rose
Fragrance: Delicate Fragrance
Blooms: Repeat flowering: May – October
We are delighted to donate £2.50 from the sale of each rose to the Royal Hospital Chelsea (registered charity no. 1076414). This is a charity-run home for retired veterans of the British Army, offering care and comradeship to around 300 former servicemen and women, based in London.
‘Chelsea Pensioner Rose’ is available to buy at www.roses.co.uk and www.worldofroses.com
