Jane Austen is a name that will be etched on the world forever, thanks to the incredibly impressive catalogue of stories created by the famed British novelist.
Very few would argue Austen’s place amongst renowned writing royalty, including the likes of Charlotte Bronte, William Shakespeare, Charles Dickens, and Agatha Christie.
She is best known for a collection of six books penned at the start of 19th century, each of which will be found in the ‘classics’ section of libraries for the rest of time, including ‘Persuasion’, ‘Northanger Abbey’, ‘Emma’, ‘Mansfield Park’, ‘Sense and Sensibility’, and ‘Pride and Prejudice’ – the latter two have inspired the names of two roses released by Harkness Roses.
This pair are joined by two further roses, entitled ‘Jane Austen’ and ‘Chawton Cottage’, to create our remarkable Jane Austen Collection.
These roses will not only delight gardens wherever they are planted, but the sale of them will also make an impact on a very worthy cause.
We hand £2.50 from the sale of each ‘Jane Austen’, ‘Pride & Prejudice’, ‘Chawton Cottage’ and ‘Sense and Sensibility’ rose to Jane Austen’s House (charity No 1156458).
This historic former home of Austen was the birthplace of her six beloved novels and has now been transformed into a museum for people to learn about her life and celebrate her works.
These financial contributions will go towards efforts to preserve the site and ensure generations to come will be able to learn about the novelist.
Rose Jane Austen – Rose Jane Austen 5L potted | Harkness Roses
The ‘Jane Austen’ rose was first launched in 2017 to mark the 200th anniversary of the novelist’s death.
This boasts an intense apricot shade that is certain to live long in the memory of anyone who sees it.
The strong appearance is taken a step further with subtle streaks and speckles stretching to the edges of each petal to create a familiar, yet durable, texture.
When blooming in the warm summer months, a journey of growth can be seen in the vast number of overlapping petals that combine to form full rosette formations.
A wonderful aspect many rose growers look forward to from their blooms is the delectable smell that they produce during the summertime, and the ‘Jane Austen’ certainly does not disappoint, as it releases a strong fragrance with hints of lilac.
Rose Pride & Prejudice – Rose Pride & Prejudice 5L potted | Harkness Roses
Named after arguably Austen’s best-known novel, a particularly special rose is needed to be the namesake of ‘Pride & Prejudice’.
This rose was first unveiled to the public at the 2013 edition of RHS Chelsea Flower Show to mark 200 years since the publication of the famed book, which has gone on to sell millions of copies.
This is a very detailed bush rose with buds that open when temperatures soar to reveal globe-shaped flower heads.
A remarkable journey of colour can be seen on each blooming beauty, as the almost perfect white petals darken gently to cream with a subtle peach glow in the centre.
Bushy, healthy, and mid-green foliage causes the light-shaded heads to stand out even more.
Sense and Sensibility – Rose Sense and Sensibility 5L Potted | Harkness Roses
Another popular rose which draws its name from one of Austen’s famous novels, ‘Sense and Sensibility’ was only launched at this year’s edition of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, where it blew away the crowds!
This is a climbing rose variety with blush pink buds that appear from densely packed leaves and softly open into pearly white flowers with overlapping petals and playful yellow stamens.
A welcome addition to any garden, ‘Sense and Sensibility’ produces wave after wave of blooms throughout the summer months, even into the first weeks of autumn.
Chawton Cottage – Rose Climbing Chawton Cottage 5L potted | Harkness Roses
Chawton Cottage is the affectionate name given to the Jane Austen’s House Museum, which is based in the Hampshire village of Chawton, near Alton.
This rose was another to be launched at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show and was one of Harkness Roses’ new varieties presented in 2019.
The release of ‘Chawton Cottage’ marked an impressive 70 years since the museum first opened to the public, back in July 1949.
In that time, more than 1 million guests have flooded through the doors to learn about Austen’s life.
This gently scented rose is a treat for all senses, as it blooms with a centre of deep pink eyes and yellow stamens surrounded by a show of light pearly petals.