The Harkness Rose Company, 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.
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. We will be launching many events to capture the benefits of the rose; not only the flower, but the plant itself, like its uses in fragrance, skin care, nutrition, and the power of symbolism as the flower that evokes feelings of love.
David White, Managing Director of Harkness Roses, says “We have worked closely with David Domoney in the past to launch the ‘This Morning’ Rose at Chelsea Flower Show in 2018. David has some fantastic ideas and the whole team at Harkness is looking forward to working with him on a whole range of national campaigns, blogs and videos over the next few years. We are particularly excited to launch The Great British Rose Revival project which aims to educate the consumer that roses are easy to grow, beautiful and enrich our senses – every garden should have one!”
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.
ENDS.
About The Harkness Rose Company
The Harkness nursery had its origins in 1879 in Yorkshire, soon becoming well-known as a grower of top-quality roses. It was 80 years later that Jack Harkness began breeding new varieties in Hitchin, Hertfordshire, determined to create new and ever-more beautiful roses. Today, Harkness Roses are known and grown worldwide; celebrated for their astounding beauty, delightful fragrance and repeat flowering blooms.
The new Harkness Rose Masterpiece Collection® is a harmonious blend of modern and traditional roses that showcases the very best of British rose breeding. Founded upon 140 years heritage, the collection encompasses more than 200 varieties of the finest roses from the dedicated Harkness breeding programme. With reliability, disease resistance and flowering performance that is second to none, Harkness Roses are world renowned for producing reliable cultivars, as well as classic old roses, that will flourish in any garden.
Twitter – @harknessroseco
Instagram –@theharknessrosecompany
Facebook – @theharknessrosecompany
About David Domoney C Hort. FCI Hort
David Domoney is a seasoned gardening television broadcaster and currently presents on ITV’s ‘Love your Garden’, ‘Love your Weekend’ and is also the gardening presenter for ITV’s ‘This Morning’. He is a winner of 30 RHS Medals with two Best in Show category trophies and the Prince Edward Award for Horticulture Excellence. David is also known for pioneering campaigns Cultivation Street as well as Illumination Street, brightening up Britain’s streets at Christmas. David also writes a gardening column for Grow Your Own magazine.
Twitter – @daviddomoney
Instagram – @daviddomoney
Facebook – David Domoney
Pinterest – David Domoney
YouTube – David Domoney
Website – www.daviddomoney.com
For more information please contact:
hannah@roses.co.uk
adele@domoney.tv
Notes to Editors:
Pictures and more information available on request.
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