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RHS Chelsea 2022: new rose raises more than £45k for Dame Deborah James' Bowelbabe Fund
More than £45,000 has been raised for the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK after a new white rose, named in honour of Dame Deborah James, launched at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show.
The Dame Deborah James Rose is a stunning new white rose variety introduced by World of Roses and bred by The Harkness Rose Company. The floribunda produces masses of white blooms with a subtle 'ballet slipper pink' centre (as Deborah would describe it), set against dark green, glossy foliage.
Deborah, 40, who is also known as Bowel Babe after campaigning to raise awareness of bowel cancer, heartbreakingly announced two weeks ago that she was receiving end-of-life care at her family home in Surrey.
She has captured the hearts of the nation with her determination to raise awareness and money (currently more than £6.5 million), and now a rose in her name can be planted in gardens up and down the country while helping to raise further money for the fund.
The Dame Deborah James Rose is available for pre-order now for delivery in autumn, and £2.50 from each sale will be paid to Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK.
The fragranced rose is repeat flowering from early June to the first frosts. It's an easy-to-grow variety that's perfect for a mixed border, pots and containers, and a rose border, and can grow up to 3ft (80cm) in height, with a 2ft (60cm) spread.
Mother-of-two Deborah said she hoped the rose might one day feature in her daughter Eloise's wedding bouquet.
'I actually cried when they asked me if they could name a rose after me,' wrote Deborah earlier this month, saying she couldn't wait for her family to plant them this autumn. 'Roses are my favourite flowers and I hope this one will brighten the smiles for all ...What breaks my heart and brings me the most beautiful thought, is that this variety will and can now be grown forever, and maybe one day even Eloise might choose to have it in her wedding bouquet.'
Deborah said the rose will also be incorporated into Harkness' new Community Gardening Scheme which aims to get more vulnerable groups and people from underrepresented backgrounds involved in gardening. Harkness have pledged to give away 1,000 Dame Deborah James Roses to Community Gardens across the UK.
Deborah, accompanied by her husband Sebastien Bowen, visited RHS Chelsea during a private tour on Tuesday evening (24th May) to see the Dame Deborah James Rose on display on Harkness Roses' stand inside the Great Pavilion. The visit was organised by presenter Sophie Raworth and the Royal Horticultural Society.
Deborah told the BBC: 'Flowers are a reminder of our future. We plant the seed not knowing what we might see grow. Being around nature gives us a lift and it is a reminder that life continues to blossom, even in some of the hardest places, and brings a smile to all of our faces, even in the hardest of times – particularly mine.'
Presenter of BBC podcast You, Me And The Big C, Deborah was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 and since then has kept her 800,000-plus Instagram followers up to date with her treatment, sharing candid posts about her progress and diagnosis.
Deborah was recently honoured with a damehood by Prince William, the Duke of Cambridge, at her home and she has completed her second book, How To Live When You Could Be Dead, due to be published on 18th August.
The Dame Deborah James Rose can be ordered here.
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