The RSPB has been shining a light on the important role growing flowers has to play in supporting the UK’s pollinator species through a special new partnership with The Harkness Rose Company.
A specialist company that has been growing and breeding roses for more than 140 years, The Harkness Rose Company has now unveiled its Power to the Pollinators line-up of flowers, curated to highlight the crucial role each has to play in the ecosystem.
The range of flowers has been bred to be rich in pollen, with a long flowering season to make them valuable pollinators for as long as possible. Most of the roses in the collection are what are known as ‘singles’ – flowers with just one ring of petals – making their pollen easily accessible to insects.
Nine types of roses have been selected to form the Power to Pollinators range, including bare root and potted varieties such as the light pink shade of rose called ‘This Morning’ as well as the apricot amber glow of ‘Bridge of Sighs.’ Planting a mix of roses with different colours, shades, and scents, will help to attract a range of pollinators to the garden, from bumblebees and solitary bees to hoverflies and beetles.
The collection also features an array of rose types – both bush and climbing – all of which have been grown by the professional breeders and growers at Harness Roses. All flowers are grown with the environment in mind, in peat-free compost and without the use of pesticides or chemicals. They are also supplied in pots made from recycled plastic.
Jo Coker, director of fundraising for the RSPB, said: “At the RSPB, we know how important gardens are for wildlife, including pollinators, and we also understand that wildlife-rich gardens are important for our health and wellbeing.
“With our Power to Pollinators rose collection, specially created to be brilliant for insects as well as beautiful, we are delighted to support everyone in helping nature in their outdoor spaces, for the benefit of us all.”For each rose sold in the Power to Pollinators collection ,a donation of £2.50 will be made to the RSPB to help fund its vital conservation work to save the UK’s wildlife.
