Rose honours Harewood’s royal enthusiast

Now a new rose, Rosa Yorkshire Princess, has been unveiled to honour HRH The Princess Royal, Princess Mary.

Princess Mary made Harewood, near Leeds, her home between 1930 and 1965 and much of her life was outdoors, with the garden benefiting from her love of nature and her vision for unusual plants and cutting-edge planting schemes.

The legacy remains in the house’s award-winning formal and informal gardens.

To celebrate the enduring developmental work that she spearheaded in the garden, Helen Fletcher, craft gardener at Harewood unveiled the new rose yesterday.

It comes as major exhibition, Royal Harewood celebrating the life of the Yorkshire Princess and to mark the Diamond Jubilee year, continues until September.

The rose will be officially launched at the Harrogate autumn flower show that month

Trevor Nicholson, head gardener at Harewood House, said: “Princess Mary was a very keen gardener and plantswoman who made a significant impact on the gardens here, introducing many elements of the gardens which our visitors still enjoy today.

“As patron of the Royal National Rose Society from 1953 to 1965, Princess Mary indulged her love of roses so to mark this year’s special Royal Harewood exhibition, a rose was the ideal way to create a lasting tribute.

“The pure white petal, soft blush centre and sweet scent give a traditional feel, in-keeping with old-style roses and perfect for a Yorkshire Princess.”