Two roses inspired by the Sultan of Oman and his wife are currently on display at London's Chelsea Flower Show.
Harcarmine, created in honour of Sultan Haitham of Oman, and Harforever, created for his wife Ahad Al Busaidiyah, represent the colours of the Omani flag.
Harcarmine is red, Harforever is white and the foliage represents the green part of the flag.
The roses are a crossbreeding of a combination of varieties, and have been grown in the city of Salalah where they adapted to the area’s cool and damp climate.
Oman already has a reputation for cultivating roses. Thousands of rose bushes flower each year across Jebel Akhdar, also known as the green mountain, filling the air with their scent during harvesting between March and April.
Farmers pick roses during harvest season in Oman – in pictures
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As harvest season begins, farmers pick roses in Oman's Jebel Akhdar. Photos: AFP -
The mountains of Jebel Akhdar in Oman come alive with the scent of roses -
A farmer picks roses in Jebel Akhdar -
Rose blooms are harvested in April -
Pickers work in the early morning or late afternoon to harvest the flowers -
The Jebel Akhdar mountain range as at about 3,000 metres above sea level -
A farmer picks roses in Oman's Jebel Akhdar -
Farmers pick roses in Oman's Jebel Akhdar -
A farmer picks roses in Oman's Jebel Akhdar
The season attracts tourists from all over the world who come to watch pickers select the flowers to make smoked rosewater in a process that has been passed down through the generations.
The new roses were unveiled at a ceremony in Chelsea this week, which was attended by Badr Al Mantheri, Oman's ambassador to the UK, among other officials.
The annual flower show has been running since 1862 and is a favourite of the British royal family.
On Monday, it was visited by King Charles III, who appeared to be on the lookout for something to fill a patch in his garden at Highgrove, his Gloucestershire home, after the animals took a liking to some of his plants.
He stopped at designer Jane Porter's Choose Love garden, where a lavender sage plant – also known as salvia lavandulifolia – with delicate purple flowers caught his eye.
The garden was created for the humanitarian aid movement, which supports asylum seekers around the globe, and features plants such as old varieties of roses from the Middle East and irises from North Africa that those seeking sanctuary would recognise.
“He was really interested in one of the plants we've got because at Highgrove something's being eaten by rabbits and he wants to replace it,” Ms Porter said.
“I love that. That's brilliant he's such a keen gardener. I'm sure he would have his eye out for all sorts of things – he was very knowledgeable about everything in the garden.”
It was the king’s first visit to the Royal Horticultural Society Chelsea Flower Show as monarch. He was joined by the queen, who toured the site separately.
Earlier in the day, the Princess of Wales also visited the event to join schoolchildren who were invited by the RHS to participate.
Best in Show at Chelsea Flower Show was on Tuesday awarded to Harris Bugg Studio for an entry named after the spinal injuries charity Horatio’s Garden, the first fully wheel-chair accessible garden to win the prize.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, visits the Chelsea Flower Show – in pictures
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Catherine, Princess of Wales, speaks with school pupils at the first Children's Picnic at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in London. PA -
The princess arrives at the show in the grounds of the Royal Hospital Chelsea. PA -
The princess shakes hands with children before the picnic. AP -
She smiles during the children's picnic. PA -
Pupils from 10 schools taking part in the RHS's Campaign for School Gardening sent children to the first children's picnic in the show's 110-year history. Getty -
The princess speaks to Chelsea Pensioners. PA -
She is given a tour of the flower show. PA
“It’s unbelievable and still sinking in,” a statement released on behalf of designers Charlotte Harris and Hugo Bugg said.
“It’s a really special garden for us because of the nature of the charity. Horatio’s is a charity about gardens and how they help on journeys of healing and so it feels absolutely right that it should win Best in Show.
“We are delighted for the charity, and we hope it helps to raise the profile of the incredible work they do and are delighted it will live on to form the heart of Horatio’s Garden Sheffield after the show.”
Plant of the Year was also awarded to Agapanthus Black Jack, which was selected from a shortlist of 18 plants.
