An enduring passion for floriculture culminated in a floral tribute as Narayan Shastri (85), a city-based rose expert and veteran hybridiser, unveiled a new hybrid tea rose variety named 'Gadkari', gifting it to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on the occasion of his 41st wedding anniversary on Friday. Named in honour of the Union Minister, the rose was formally presented by Shastri in a symbolic gesture that included a freshly bloomed flower, a photograph of the rose in full bloom and a potted plant of the new variety.
Speaking to TOI, Shastri said the variety, officially registered as 'Mr Gadkari (2025)', belongs to the Hybrid Tea (H.T.) category and is the result of over five years of meticulous research. "The rose has been bred from the parentage of Sea Jack and an anonymous seedling, resulting in a visually striking and resilient hybrid," he said.
The flower is soft pink in colour, large, and elegantly shaped, boasting more than 50 petals. Known for its long-lasting bloom, the rose is particularly suited for exhibitions, landscaping projects, and ornamental gardening, Shastri added. Detailing the plant's agronomic strengths, he said the 'Gadkari' rose is characterised by an abundant flowering habit, handsome medium-green foliage, and high resistance to common diseases.
"These traits make the variety both aesthetically appealing & practically viable for cultivation across diverse climatic conditions," he added.
Read more at Times of India
