Press releases

Daffodils sing out at the RHS Spring Flower Show, Cardiff

February 1 2007

Fans of international singing sensation Katherine Jenkins will be able to enjoy a show of their very own when the ‘Katherine Jenkins’ daffodil is launched at the RHS Spring Flower Show, Cardiff this April. Like its namesake, the ‘Katherine Jenkins’ daffodil is expected to be the star attraction at the show which is held in the heart of Cardiff, in the grounds of Bute Park, from Friday 20 to Sunday 22 April 2007. To book tickets call 08700 66 77 99 or visit www.rhs.org.uk/cardiff.

The Brit award-winning Mezzo Soprano chose her fragrant daffodil from a range grown by specialist Ron Scamp, who won best in show for his Quality Daffodils at the two previous RHS Cardiff shows. As mascot for the Welsh rugby team, Katherine will be presented with her daffodil and RHS certification before the Wales v England game at the Millennium Stadium on March 17 and ‘Katherine Jenkins’ bulbs willbe available to buy at this year’s show RHS Spring Flower Show, Cardiff.

Grower Ron Scamp said: “Katherine clearly has taste as well as talent. The lovely flower she has chosen is one I am proud to name 'Katherine Jenkins'. I bred this particular cultivar by cross-pollinating strong and healthy parents with rich colours, then adding a wild form of the jonquil daffodil to create a hardy plant with vigour and bright colours and a stem that will produce two or three blooms, with an added bonus of a sweet scent.”

Sharon McDonald, International Daffodil Registrar at the RHS, gives the following facts about naming daffodils:

• Katherine joins Dame Vera Lynn in having a daffodil named after her,a fitting connection as KatherineJenkins has been dubbed ‘the new Forces sweetheart’.
• Katherine also joins a distinguished group ofopera singers including Kathleen Ferrier, Dame Nellie Melba, Victoria de Los Angelos and Montserrat Caballé who have had daffodils named after them.
• Katherine Jenkins is only the second Katherine to have a daffodil named after, following in the footsteps of one Katherine Spurrell.
• In 2005 the ‘Cardiff' daffodil was launched. The ‘Cardiff’ daffodil is a yellow trumpet daffodil which was registeredto mark Cardiff’s centenary year and the first RHS Spring Flower Show.

The ‘Katherine Jenkins’ daffodil will take its place alongside a magnificent selection of daffodils at this year’s RHS Spring Flower Show, Cardiff. With nine confirmed show gardens of a higher quality than ever, visitors will also be treated to an edible ambrosial forest, a sustainable allotment and a garden inspired by the Welsh coastline - all designed by some of the hottest names in Welsh horticultural talent.

For those not able to catch the magnificent selection of daffodils at the RHS Spring Flower Show, Cardiff, there will be a spectacular bank of award winning daffodils in the heart of London, at the RHS London Flower Show (3-4 April) when expert and amateur growers alike, compete in the RHS Daffodil Show. RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey, is also a fantastic place to get a taste of spring with the Daffodil show returning for another year on 24-25 April. Visitors can go to all four RHS gardens to see daffodils that are out until April, with small displays of early blooms such as Narcissus ‘Early Sensation’ out now at RHS Garden Wisley.

The RHS recommends the following for those wishing to grow daffodils at home. All have been awarded the Award of Garden Merit (AGM), which is extra reassurance that you will be heading for gardening success.

• Narcissus ‘Angelito’
• Narcissus ‘Great Gatsby’
• Narcissus ‘Oregon Snow’

Notes to Editors

For further information about the show and images of the ‘Katherine Jenkins’ daffodil, please contact Hannah Talbot at the RHS Press Office on 020 7821 3043, or e-mail: hannahtalbot@rhs.org.uk

For further details about Cardiff City please contact Tim Powell, Cardiff Council on 0292 0873968.

Full details of the show will be posted on the RHS website as it becomes available.

Images of the show in 2006 are available to download for free on www.papicselect.co.uk

Other highlights at the RHS Spring Flower Show, Cardiff will include Claim to Fame gardens from communities throughout Wales and a schools wheelbarrow competition to test the skills of Cardiff’s green fingered youngsters. The Experience Wales marquee also returns featuring the very best of Welsh produce, food and crafts.

Opening Times and Ticket Prices

Friday 20 April: 10am-5.30pm
Saturday 21 April: 10am-5.30pm
Sunday 22 April: 10am-4.30pm

RHS members in advance: £8
Public in advance: £9
Groups of 10+ in advance: £8.50
ALL tickets on the day: £10
Children under the age of 16 are admitted free with an accompanying adult

www.rhs.org.uk/cardiff

www.rhs.org.uk/pressoffice

The RHS is the UK’s leading gardening charity dedicated to advancing horticulture and promoting good gardening. RHS work includes providing expert advice and information, advancing horticulture, training the next generation of gardeners, helping school children learn about plants, and conducting research into plants, pests and environmental issues affecting gardeners.

An interest in gardening is all you need to enjoy being a member of the RHS. For more information visit www.rhs.org.uk or call 0845 130 4646.

Founded in 1804, the Royal Horticultural Society is Britain's largest gardening charity and is committed to being the leading organisation demonstrating excellence in horticulture and promoting gardening. Renowned for its outstanding gardens and inspirational flower shows, the RHS is a key source of advice and information for all gardeners. It encourages gardening through its publications, trials, lectures, education programmes and scientific research and is home to the Lindley Library, which contains the most comprehensive collection of horticultural books in the world.

Membership of the Royal Horticultural Society offers many exclusive benefits including a monthly copy of The Garden magazine; free entrance to RHS Gardens Wisley in Surrey, Rosemoor in Devon, Hyde Hall in Essex and Harlow Carr in North Yorkshire; free access to a further 88 beautiful gardens across Britain and 20 gardens in Belgium and France; access to seeds collected at RHS gardens; free gardening advice and privileged tickets to 18 RHS flower shows, including the Chelsea Flower Show, the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show and the RHS Flower Show at Tatton Park.

For further enquiries about membership of the RHS contact: Membership Department, Royal Horticultural Society, PO Box 313, London SW1P 2PE; 0845 130 4646 Monday - Friday 9.30am - 5pm or via the RHS website

For more information e-mail the Press Office or visit the online Press Office