Harkness Roses, the 140-year-old British rose breeder, has launched what it's calling "the first rose bred with climate action at its heart" - a vibrant orange floribunda that directly funds tree planting in Kenya's drought-stricken communities.
© Harkness Roses
The Word Forest Fellowship Rose marks a departure from traditional charity rose partnerships. Rather than token donations, Harkness is committing £2.50 from every single rose sold to Word Forest (Charity No. 1172497), an international reforestation charity working in communities on the frontlines of climate breakdown. This will support tree planting, permaculture training, education and community-led livelihoods in areas hardest hit by climate change.
"Nature links all life, even the unlikely pairing of roses and climate action", said Philip Harkness, Managing Director, Harkness Roses. "Britain's gardeners have enormous power. If 1,000 people buy this rose, we'll plant 1,000 trees in tropical Kenya – where trees grow ten times faster than in the UK and lock in carbon at pace, the way nature intended."
According to Harkness Roses, the timing is critical: Kenya is experiencing unprecedented climate chaos - from locust plagues to devastating droughts and floods. Since 2017, Word Forest has planted 1.2 million trees across Kenya, but crucially, they ensure communities benefit directly through permaculture training, education, and paid tree-tending work.
Why orange? The rose's distinctive glowing orange blooms (complemented by glossy foliage and a subtle spice fragrance) were selected to represent hope and optimism - the opposite of climate doom. Growing to 90cm, it flowers reliably all summer and suits borders, beds or pots.
Simon West, CEO of Word Forest, said: "Every British gardener can now be part of tropical reforestation. That rose in your garden connects directly to a Kenyan mother earning income from tree nurseries, to children learning under the shade of fruit trees, to wildlife returning to restored forests. It's a climate action you can literally see grow."
The rose is available now exclusively at https://www.roses.co.uk/product/780353/rose-world-forest-4l-pot-c-ngw as an established plant in a 4-litre pot, ready to plant. For more information on the rose, go to https://www.wordforest.org/rose/
For more information:
Harkness Roses
roses.co.uk
