Wild roses have grown in Britain for thousands of years. The common dog rose, with its pink and white flowers and five flat petals, brightens the British hedgerows in June and July, and it was probably this rose that the poet, Rupert Brooke, was considering when he wrote:

Ray Allen of the American Rose Society sent 49 'Peace' roses to the inaugural meeting of the United Nations, along with the words, 'We hope the 'Peace' rose will influence men's thoughts for everlasting world peace.' The most popular, best-selling garden rose of all time is the 'Peace' rose. Flowers were seen as less practical, and yet, with the return of peace, the rose once again surged to the top as the nation's choice.

The result was that formal gardens, lawns and even sports pitches were transformed into allotments*, large and small, and everybody on the homefront was encouraged to become a vegetable gardener. In the 1940s, patriotic Britons were urged to 'dig for victory' by the wartime government when they realised the population would go hungry if the war were to last longer than a few months, as the German Navy was targeting merchant vessels. However, England adopted the rose as its national emblem in the 15th Century, and so I must admit that they have a certain grace and beauty that befits this fine land.įashions in gardening have always changed, but the rose has remained a firm favourite. ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England - I have never been a great fan of roses, as they aren't any fun to climb.

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