David Austin® Roses will shortly introduce to the European market a series of three new rose varieties that have the flower characteristics of a traditional English rose plus other features that will enable them to be grown commercialy as a cut-flower crop. Technical Manager, Michael Marriott, explained that by crossing English garden roses with commercial cut-flower varieties, hybrids have been raised that have good productivity, repeat flowering, a wider colour range and disease resistance. The result is also a response to consumers in the more modern markets of the world, bored with traditional varieties.

The new hybrids have large perfumed flowers with stonger stems but stems which still nod slightly to give a more natural effect to a bouquet. Just as ordinary cut-roses are available in a wide range of colours, the Company intends to breed a wide range of different perfumes, flower sizes and shapes to move away from the standard cut-rose flower. One of the new introduction produces a shallow cupped yellow flower with a light fragrance. The white variety has a strong myrrh fragrance and the deep pink button-eye variety has a strong frutty perfume. Medium sized flower buds open into large typically English roses about 4" in diameter. The varieties are not as yet named. Breeding still in its early stages and other companies such as Nirp International and Meilland are treading the same path.

The flowers of the new David Austin® hybrids are currently being grown in Holland and Kenya. Productivity under greenhouse conditions is almost as good as ordinary commercial varieties. Shelf life is low at 7-10 days, not yet comparible to ordinary varieties, but for the moment other characteristics are likely to more than make up for this current disadvantage (flower perfume is linked to ethylene production that causes flowers to mature).

Initial sales will start later this spring by the mail order of bouquets consisting of 15 flowers (together with a bit of foliage) packed in boxes, through David Austin® Roses and through the UK multiple retailer Marks & Spencers. This method has been decided because of limited availability; when more product is available, florists and other retailers (who are already extremely enthusiastic about the new product) will further develop sales. As sales develop the Company will also address the question of making young plants more widely available to commercial growers.

For further information: Fax 0044 1902 372142 E-mail: michaelm@davidaustinroses.co.uk www.davidaustinroses.com Note that this is an excellent and informative web site written in various languages including Italian.