A Midsummer's Rose Festival
Themed to celebrate one of Shakespeare's best-loved plays, A Midsummer's Rose Festival is one of the most popular crowd pleasers of this year's RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.
Just like A Midsummer Night's Dream, the festival has an enchanted woodland setting with colourful costumes and props from The Royal Shakespeare Company. The festival will also include demonstrations and talks from rose experts.
Rose of the Year - Joie de Vivre
A selection of the choicest new rose cultivars has been unveiled and Joie de Vivre (Korfloci01) has been named Rose of the Year.
Lightly fragranced, creamy pastel pink full petalled blooms are perfectly offset by glossy, plentiful foliage. It has also demonstrated outstanding disease resistance. Bred by Kordes of Germany and introduced by Mattocks Roses, Woodbridge, Suffolk.
Rose of the Year trials
To be considered for this prestigious title, UK rose breeders enter what they consider to be the most promising of their new varieties. With up to 10 trial stations around the country, the diversity of locations ensures that roses are tested in different soil and climate conditions. Each trial lasts two years, looking at plant and flower form, colour, fragrance, abundance of blooms, health and ease of maintenance - all important attributes of a worthy Rose of the Year.
Also making their public debut:
Alexander’s Issie (Dicland)
Named by fashion designer, the late Alexander McQueen in memory of his friend, the international style icon Isabella Blow. Bred by Dickson Nurseries of Northern Ireland and introduced by C & K Jones, Tarvin, Cheshire.
County® of Staffordshire (Korsoalgu)
Named for the Staffordshire Society and joining the range of ground cover roses in the County® Series, this new variety produces clusters of copper yellow flowers that fade to creamy yellow. Introduced by Mattocks Roses, Woodbridge, Suffolk.
Drama Queen
Striking red and white striped flowers with a light, but distinct scent, this flamboyant rose celebrates the achievement of 50 years of Summer Repertory Theatre at the Sheringham Little Theatre on the Norfolk coast. Introduced by Bill Le Grice Roses. Hoveton, Norfolk.
Francis Copple
This modern shrub rose has fragrant, semi-double blooms of coppery yellow which fade to primrose yellow as the flower ages, flowering freely throughout the summer. Introduced by Peter Beales Roses, Attleborough, Norfolk.
Golden Moment (Smi99-2-04)
A classic Hybrid Tea bred by the late Edward Smith. The large spiralled soft yellow blooms have a strong, sweet fragrance and the colour remains unfaded until the petals drop. Introduced by Style Roses, Spalding, Lincolnshire.
Hever Castle (Horquinsey)
For the first time in its history, Hever Castle and Gardens will have its own rose. Bred by rose hybridiser, the late Colin Horner, this floribunda produces masses of velvety deep-red blooms which fade to cerise, offset by golden-yellow stamens. Introduced by Bill Le Grice Roses. Hoveton, Norfolk.
Precious Love (Kirlowo)
Paul & Louise Woodbridge became involved with the Child Bereavement Charity following the tragic death of their two-year old twins Betsy and William. In memory of their children their hope is that this rose will become an emblem and source of funds for the charity. Bred by Gordon Kirkham, this floribunda produces scented clusters of salmon pink flowers. Introduced by C & K Jones, Tarvin, Cheshire.
Togmeister
Named for one TV's best loved presenters, Sir Terry Wogan and for his many fans, who dubbed him ‘Togmeister’. A floribunda with fragrant, bright yellow blooms which are produced continuously throughout the summer. Introduced by Peter Beales Roses, Attleborough, Norfolk.