A NEW rose, celebrating Jane Austen's 200th birthday was given pride of place at the garden of Jane Austen's House Museum by celebrity gardener, Alan Titchmarsh.
The former Gardener's World presenter planted the new Jane Austen rose in the garden of the Jane Austen House Museum, Chawton.
The rose was specially developed by Harkness Roses for the museum and was launched by Alan at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show earlier this year.
A bright and vibrant orange bush rose with a light sweet scent and great depth of colour, the rose was created to reflect the vibrancy of Austen’s characters, and celebrate her bicentenary year.
Whilst planting the rose, Alan talked about the frequency in which gardens were mentioned in Jane Austen’s letters and described Jane Austen’s House Museum as a very special place. Alan also highlighted the museum’s recent Bring Jane Home campaign and urged the public to donate their new £10 notes to the museum.
Harkness Roses are generously donating a percentage of their proceeds to help support Jane’s Fund, the museum’s fundraising appeal to restore and protect Jane Austen’s home.
Mary Guyatt, Jane Austen’s House Museum Curator said: “Everyone was really happy to see Alan planting the Jane Austen rose in the author’s very own garden. It’s been a pleasure to work with Harkness Roses and today was another highpoint in Jane’s bicentenary year.”
The Jane Austen rose is available to order from the museum shop as well as via Harkness Roses.
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