Peter Beales Roses are famous as champions of old fashioned roses. By making so many old roses available to gardeners and showing off so effectively in the Norfolk rose gardens, they’ve inspired a huge number of gardeners to grow them.
In recent years they’ve also been developing new roses under the guidance of Amanda Beales, daughter of the company’s founder, and this year they have five new introductions (above, click to enlarge). Three were launched at Chelsea, two more will be launched at the Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.
The Queen’s Jubilee Rose (‘Beajubilee’), launched at Chelsea, is a lovely fully double scented white rose blushed with peachy tones with traditional goblet flowers. Reaching only about 3ft/90cm is its good in containers and also good in borders.
The cross that led to this rose was made in 2005 and while it’s been on test before being released it was learned that a hard prune in February suits it best, along with a fortnightly feed through the summer.
Red Letter Day (‘Beajackdaw’), also launched at Chelsea, is another new rose with a traditional look. Crimson red flowers, quartered in the traditional way, are set against dark glossy foliage and there are relatively few thorns and those mostly low on the plant.
With such a thoughtful name, this is a great rose to give to celebrate anything from passing a driving text to getting married.
Finally from the Chelsea launches, Capel Manor House (‘Beajammie’) has a more simple look. Its semi-double, blood red flowers have unusual white striped on the young petals as well as gentle fragrance. This is a strong growing variety which can be grown as a climber in a small garden if tied in to its supports.
The two Peter Beales roses launching at this year’s Hampton Court Palace Flower Show are Nelson’s Journey (‘Beaflirt’) and Richard Porson (‘Beajuniper’).
Nelson’s Journey is covered in beautiful two tone pink, semi-double flowers with a subtle fragrance. Its sales are supporting the charity of the same name which works to “bring back smiles to bereaved children”. The deep red buds of Richard Porson open to double crimson-pink, fragrant flowers on compact plants. It’s named for the influential eighteenth century classical Greek scholar who was from Norfolk, where Peter Beales Roses is based.
