The Hever Castle Rose

June 28 2023 | Garden

Did you know that Hever Castle has its own rose which was launched by Dame Judi Dench, the award-winning British actress in 2011?

Bred by the highly regarded rose hybridiser, the late Colin Horner, the floribunda ‘Hever Castle Rose’ (Horquinsey) produces masses of velvety deep-red blooms which fade to cerise, offset by golden-yellow stamens. Growing to a height of 4-5ft, the blooms are complemented by attractive, glossy dark-green foliage. The Hever Castle Rose has a long flowering period from May to the first frosts in October and has proved itself resistant to disease in rose trials.

The rose is located in Hever Castle’s Rose Garden which is Head Gardener Neil Miller‘s favourite part of the garden.

The romantic quintessential English rose garden is the setting for over 4,000 roses which flourish from June until the end of September. Planted in blocks of colour from palest pink to deep crimson and rich purple, varieties range from the Alba and Bourbon to Hybrid Tea and Floribunda. White Iceberg is a permanent variety complementing the inner beds and pillar-trained climbers, which fill the air with their fragrant scent throughout the summer months.