Grow England! rose named for England football team by the RHS
25 June 2010
England may have crashed out the World Cup, but there's still a way for fans to grow a winner in their own gardens.
The RHS has chosen a special rose to name after the England Football Team. Rosa 'Team England' (‘Beafinal’) will be unveiled at the world’s largest annual gardening event, Hampton Court Palace Flower Show (6-11 July).
Rosa 'Team England' has been bred by one of the world’s best growers, and regular RHS Gold Medal winner, Peter Beales. With Peter Beales the RHS has selected a tall, healthy upright shrub with a medium sized deep red bloom, which has small flecks of white in the centre. It has good scent and is free flowering and hardy.
'Team England' is the rose’s trade name, but in 2006 it was given, per chance, the development name ‘Beafinal’.
RHS Shows Director, Stephen Bennett, said: “Peter Beales is one of the best rose growers, regularly being awarded RHS gold medals at our flower shows, the 'World Cup' of the gardening world.
“The rose festival at Hampton Court Palace Flower Show is a breathtaking marquee showcasing roses from around the world, all vying to be crowned best rose display. We think Rosa 'Team England' is a champion rose.”
Rosa 'Team England' has taken five years to breed. Peter Beales will unveil the rose at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show. As Rosa 'Team England' is a development rose, it is not available on a wide scale. However the RHS and Peter Beales will send the team and FA some bare root roses in November. It will be available to purchase in 2011, although a waiting list will be available.