Dear readers, did you know there was a Jane Austen inspired rose? Me neither! Harkness, a flower company in the UK, bred this rose, named Pride and Prejudice, specifically for the bicentenary (2013) of its name sake book.
From their description:
Selected and introduced to celebrate the 200th Anniversary of Jane Austen’s classic novel. The flower form is beautifully constructed giving elegant detail to every bloom. Working from the outside in, notice how white petals become cream, amber, then peach at the centre as you study the delightful colour range of each exquisite flower. Plants are bushy and healthy, adding to the charm of this first class rose. Use in beds, borders or hedges.
My birthday is coming up in June so if anyone feels inclined to send me a dozen Pride and Prejudice roses, I would not be terribly upset.
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edit to add 5/24/2017
Seems like there is another Jane Austen rose which was revealed yesterday (May 23) at the HS Chelsea Flower Show! The flower, also developed by Harkness, was created to celebrate Jane’s bicentenary death.
The rose, a bright and vibrant orange bush rose, reflecting the vibrancy of Austen’s characters, celebrates Jane Austen’s life in her bicentenary year. With a light sweet scent and great depth of colour, the rose radiates warmth.
Proceeds of the rose will be donated to Jane Austen’s House Museum.