I just received my 2013 David Austin Handbook of Roses and was delighted to see there are two new cultivars that are especially bee-friendly.
“Fighting Temeraire”
‘Fighting Temeraire’ has the shape, color and fragrance that are attractive to bees and other pollinators. The fully open flowers are very large, 4-5″ across, and have only ten petals. They are a rich apricot color, with an area of yellow behind the stamens. The fragrance is medium to strong, very fruity with a strong element of lemon zest.
‘Fighting Temeraire’ is a painting from 1839 by the famous landscape painter, watercolorist and printmaker, JMW Turner. This rose has been named for the Turner Contemporary Gallery on Margate’s seafront in Kent.
The Lady’s Blush
Bees will be attracted to the open shape and creamy white and yellow center of The Lady’s Blush. As with all semi-double roses, the central group of stamens is a very important feature. These are particularly fine; a beautiful soft yellow color with highlights of golden-yellow pollen. Its only drawback is its light fragrance.
It has been named to commemorate the 125th anniversary of The Lady magazine, which is the longest running weekly magazine for women.
Related articles
- Do Bees Like Roses? (romancingthebee.com)
- Check out the new David Austin roses (seattletimes.com)
- New English Garden Bee Plants – “Purrsian Blue” Nepeta (romancingthebee.com)
