Latest news with #HarknessRoses
South Wales Argus
12-07-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Pupils create garden in memory of Wales' first black gardener
The youngsters at Ysgol Gyfun Cwm Rhymni, including members of the Eco Council, students from the well-being spaces Hwb and Hafan, and those studying cookery, carried out the work to create the space in memory of John Ystumllyn (also known as Jac Ddu). John Ystumllyn is recognised as the first recorded black gardener in Wales who was brought to the country in the 18th century, likely through the transatlantic slave trade. He earned the admiration and respect of the local community in North Wales, through his kindness, resilience, and remarkable character, and married a Welsh woman and became a celebrated figure in Welsh history. The centre piece of the garden is a John Ystumllyn Rose, a golden yellow bloom developed by Harkness Roses. The students have also created hand-crafted signs to enhance the garden space. The pupils' dedication, creativity, and teamwork resulted in the finished garden, which reflects their commitment to sustainability, well-being, inclusion, unity, and the celebration of cultural heritage.
Wales Online
18-06-2025
- Health
- Wales Online
RHS Chelsea gardener explains exactly why your roses are dying
RHS Chelsea gardener explains exactly why your roses are dying Roses are one of the nation's favourite flowers, but sometimes they can be tricky customers A top gardener has tips to avoid this (Image: Boy_Anupong via Getty Images ) Now is the prime time for rose enthusiasts, with our cherished flowers expected to deliver a riot of colour and scent in our gardens. But gardeners may feel disheartened if they find their roses' leaves are turning yellow, the blooms appear undersized or the plants seem generally underwhelming. Philip Harkness, co-owner of Harkness Roses, launched five new varieties at the 2023 RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Speaking soon after, he advocated for a proactive approach. "Prevention is easier, so make sure you have sunlight and the roses aren't in places which are too dark and overcrowded. If they are near a big hedge, they are going to be struggling for water and for light. If the plant is under stress it is more prone to become unhealthy. "Think of plants as people. They do suffer stress in hot, dry conditions and if there's competition. If you get the underlying culture and environment right for them, they should fare far better than if they are undernourished, underwatered or overwatered." He advises that a robust feeding routine – specifically, providing roses with liquid nutrition biweekly – coupled with securing sufficient air circulation around the shrub and watering them consistently in morning hours, particularly for potted roses, will enhance their vigour. However, even with meticulous care, common issues may still arise. Article continues below Common issues with roses and what to do Black spot "This airborne fungus is the most common disease. You'll get a black marking on the leaf, after which the leaf will go yellow on the outside and then it will fall off," clarified Harkness. "It usually appears just after the first flowering, because the plant's put all its energy into flowering and not enough energy into defending itself. If you gave roses a granular feed, which takes time to get into the soil, in the middle of May and June, and they finish flowering in July, the granular feed will just be getting down to the roots at the time the flowering is finishing, and just give them another boost. Use a rose fertiliser early June which will help the plant in mid-July." You can minimise the damage of black spot by encouraging the plant to make new young growth, he advises. "When you've deadheaded your first flowers, if you've got black spot, instead of deadheading a little bit, give your rose a summer prune – cutting half of the stem off – which will make it develop new shoots which are a bit lower down which will have a good resistance to black spot because the young new growth is a bit better at defending itself than the older leaves." You may also find roses which are more resistant to black spot, while a sulphur application – powder is available from garden centres – is also a good fungicide and harmless to the environment, he suggests. Rust "This is another airborne fungus which tends to come later in the season, in late summer and early autumn. On the underside of the leaves you get a little orange pustule and as it matures it turns black. The only thing you can do is take the leaves off. It's usually the lower leaves which are attacked. It's best to learn to live with it than blast it with chemicals." Mildew Regarding mildew, Harkness said that this fungus leads to leaves becoming white and dusty and tends to be problematic from August onwards due to changing weather patterns. He pointed out that there are two primary causes for mildew: either the rose is situated in a damp, moist atmosphere or where the plant's roots are too dry during hot conditions. Harkness advised on dealing with blooms affected by mildew: "It usually appears on a stem that's waiting to flower and you might as well let the flower bloom and then cut back down the stem." Greenfly As for tackling greenfly, Harkness is a proponent of preventive measures. He suggested: "With greenfly, I'm keen on prevention. You can spray with a garlic product because they don't like garlic. If you do get greenfly, spray them with a weak solution of washing up detergent, which will break down the surface tension of the water and forms a film which makes the water cling to the greenfly and drowns them." Blackspot on a rose bush (Image: Alamy/PA ) Flower damage When discussing flower damage, he warns that flowers which form under hot, drought conditions may shrivel and insect activity such as caterpillars boring into flower buds can result in deformities. Article continues below "Western flower thrip nibbles the top of the petals, which will emerge with a brown edge to them. They are two millimitres wide and two millimitres long – they are tiny and you can only see it if you turn the flower upside down and tap it into your palm and see a dozen tiny wriggly insects in your hand." Can diseases survive winter? "Yes. Give the plants a winter wash – again available in garden centres – while the plants are dormant, so you are starting with a clean slate the following year." Pruning roses People often hesitate to prune their roses severely, but pruning them hard enough results in bushier, sturdier plants, except for climbers, according to Harkness. "If you are having problems with your plants, when you prune them in the spring, cut off 30% or 40% more than you think you should."
The Irish Sun
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Irish Sun
Be the the first in the world to own ‘Catherine's Rose' – named for HRH Princess Kate – 5 months before anyone else
VISITORS to the world famous Chelsea Flower Show next week will get the first real life peek at 'Catherine's Rose' - named after HRH Princess of Wales. But TEN lucky Sun readers can become the first in the world to own the rose now in a one-of-a-kind competition. Advertisement 3 Princess Catherine has released the first in a series of video's about nature Credit: Copyright remains with handout provider 3 Princess Catherine Rose, Supplied Credit: Supplied 3 Kate has spoken before about how she loves spending time in nature. Credit: Handout - Getty Bred by Just this week she launched the first HRH Princes of Wales, also known as Kate, who said last September that she had finished "Over the past year nature has been my sanctuary," Catherine said in the video. Advertisement Read More Gardening David White, from Harkness Roses - who will provide the ten winners with the rose, said: "Catherine's Rose is a stunning floribunda. The highlights are a mid to dark Rose Pink colour, a rich strong rose perfume, with hints of Mango - a scent to transport you to happy childhood memories. "There is so much good in Catherine's Rose, even our environment will benefit from the way the flowers attract pollinators as they open. "Such serene beauty and the sweet strong perfume are almost bound to give us a little spike in our endorphins, making us feel that our World is a better place." THe RHS said "The RHS has named this rose for Her Royal Highness 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 wellbeing. Advertisement Most read in Competitions "Funds from the sale of Catherine's Rose will go to "The UK's gardening charity sees every day how accessing nature and being outside is vital for our health and happiness." Kate hugs Wills in sweet new video hailing Spring as 'season of rebirth & beginnings' & says nature is her 'sanctuary' The rose is available to buy from To be in with a chance of winning a Catherine's Rose to be delivered now - fill in the form below. Advertisement 18+ UK residents only (exc. NI, Isle of Man & Channel Islands). Online access required. Entry closes 23:59pm on 30/05/25. T&Cs apply, see
The Sun
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Sun
Be the the first in the world to own ‘Catherine's Rose' – named for HRH Princess Kate – 5 months before anyone else
BLOOMING LOVELY The 'Catherine's Rose' won't be delivered to anyone else until October - but scroll down to win one now. VISITORS to the world famous Chelsea Flower Show next week will get the first real life peek at 'Catherine's Rose' - named after HRH Princess of Wales. But TEN lucky Sun readers can become the first in the world to own the rose now in a one-of-a-kind competition. 3 3 3 Bred by Harkness Roses, the Princess spearheaded the rose initiative alongside the Royal Horticultural Society after undergoing a "very spiritual and very intense emotional reconnection" with nature after undergoing treatment for cancer. Just this week she launched the first video of a series about nature entitled 'Spring.' HRH Princes of Wales, also known as Kate, who said last September that she had finished chemotherapy, used the first of her series of "Mother Nature" videos to urge people to reconnect with the world around them. "Over the past year nature has been my sanctuary," Catherine said in the video. David White, from Harkness Roses - who will provide the ten winners with the rose, said: "Catherine's Rose is a stunning floribunda. The highlights are a mid to dark Rose Pink colour, a rich strong rose perfume, with hints of Mango - a scent to transport you to happy childhood memories. "There is so much good in Catherine's Rose, even our environment will benefit from the way the flowers attract pollinators as they open. "Such serene beauty and the sweet strong perfume are almost bound to give us a little spike in our endorphins, making us feel that our World is a better place." THe RHS said "The RHS has named this rose for Her Royal Highness 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 wellbeing. "Funds from the sale of Catherine's Rose will go to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. The RHS is delighted that as well as supporting the crucial work of The Royal Marsden, Catherine's Rose will raise awareness of how nature and gardening can help to heal. "The UK's gardening charity sees every day how accessing nature and being outside is vital for our health and happiness." The rose is available to buy from and - but won't arrive until October. £5 from every £29.99 rose will go to the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. To be in with a chance of winning a Catherine's Rose to be delivered now - fill in the form below. 18+ UK residents only (exc. NI, Isle of Man & Channel Islands). Online access required. Entry closes 23:59pm on 30/05/25. T&Cs apply, see here.
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Prince William and Kate Middleton Announce Exciting News: 'This Is So Beautiful'
On Friday, May 9, Prince William and Kate Middleton made an announcement via their official Instagram account letting everyone know about a lovely honor Kate just received! The Princess of Wales now has a special rose named after her, and it couldn't be more fitting. The couple captioned the post with: "Spending time in nature has always been a source of comfort and strength. Gardens and green spaces provide not only beauty and joy, but also vital support for our mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing." The caption continues: "Today the Royal Horticultural Society are announcing a new Rose, 'Catherine's Rose,' grown by Harkness Roses. The proceeds from this rose will support The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, helping patients across the country live well with, and beyond, cancer 🌹" The rose is just gorgeous, and royal fans are over-the-moon about the news. Harkness Roses immediately chimed in with, "We are proud to be the growers of this beautiful rose and to have named it for the Princess of Wales 🌹" Another person declared, "It's stunning. Just like the Princess of Wales. 🌹❤️"More accolades included, "I couldn't have come up with a better way of celebrating Princess Catherine's relentless work to support and highlight great charitable causes 👏❤️" "This is so beautiful! We're so proud of you, Catherine 💐💖" "A symbol of hope & strength... Grown in honour of a princess whose grace continues to inspire... Carries a message of comfort in every petal... A reminder that love can bloom even in the hardest times✨️" This is such a wonderful way to honor someone who's a symbol of hope, strength, and beauty for her country, and for the entire world for that matter. Congrats to the future queen on "Catherine's Rose!" 🎬SIGN UP for Parade's Daily newsletter to get the latest pop culture news & celebrity interviews delivered right to your inbox🎬
