The RHS has named a rose, bred by Harkness Roses, for The Princess of Wales to celebrate the incredible healing power of nature and raise awareness of the important role that spending time outdoors plays in bringing us joy and supporting our mental, physical, and spiritual well-being.
Rosa 'Catherine's Rose,' a stunning floribunda, has subtle coral-pink blooms that are produced in abundance and have a rich perfume with hints of Turkish delight and mango. With flowers that attract pollinators, 'Catherine's Rose' will thrive in a mixed border, as a hedge, in a large container, or in a rose bed.
Funds from the sale of 'Catherine's Rose' will go to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity to help The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust establish a unique training program for clinical teams across the country. This specialist prehabilitation and rehabilitation program will help ensure that patients who need intensive support live well with, and beyond, cancer.
Rosa 'Catherine's Rose'
Clare Matterson, RHS Director General, said: "As well as supporting the incredible work of The Royal Marsden, 'Catherine's Rose' will raise awareness of how nature and gardening can help to heal. We know how important this message is as every day we see how accessing nature and being outside is vital for our health and happiness.
"Crucially too, Harkness Roses has done a wonderful job breeding this spectacular rose that is going to bring so much joy to all our nation's gardeners and keep our precious pollinators buzzing too. It's a really special rose."
Philip Harkness, Managing Director of Harkness Roses, said: "We're delighted the RHS is naming this stunning floribunda rose for The Princess of Wales, celebrating wellness and nature. It is a privilege for Harkness Roses to work with The Royal Marsden where donations from this beautiful rose will help raise funds for this vital charity."
Dame Cally Palmer, Chief Executive of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, said: "As a specialist cancer center, The Royal Marsden's mission is to ensure every patient has the care and support they need to achieve the best outcome and patient experience.
"Every rose sold will help The Royal Marsden establish a unique training program for clinical teams across the country in prehabilitation and rehabilitation techniques, which make such a difference to patient care.
"We are honored to have Their Royal Highnesses The Prince and Princess of Wales as joint Patrons of our specialist cancer center, and we are very grateful to The Princess of Wales and the RHS for setting up this initiative and for the benefit it will bring to cancer patients everywhere."
For more information:
Royal Horticultural Society
www.rhs.org.uk