Royal Mail has revealed a set of 10 stamps celebrating the beauty of the nation’s favourite flower, the rose
The vibrant images feature original watercolour illustrations of a variety of wild and garden roses, created exclusively for Royal Mail by acclaimed botanical artist Marie Burke.
Among the roses featured is ‘Constance Spry’, the first English Rose bred by pioneering British rose breeder David C.H. Austin, which launched a new era in rose breeding.
The stamps showcase a stunning selection of roses, from delicate wild species to classic garden favourites, each capturing the unique colour, form and character of the flower.
Roses featured in the set are:
- Dog Rose (Rosa canina)
- Rosa ‘Queen Elizabeth’
- Rosa ‘Just Joey’
- Rosa ‘Paul’s Himalayan Musk’
- Rosa ‘Étoile de Hollande’
- Rosa gallica ‘Versicolor’
- Field Rose (Rosa arvensis)
- Rosa ‘Charles de Mills’
- Rosa ‘Peace’
- Rosa ‘Constance Spry’
The stamp issue coincides with the 100th anniversary of the birth of David C.H. Austin OBE, whose work transformed modern rose breeding and helped reintroduce fragrance, beauty and romance to contemporary gardens.
David Gold, director of external affairs & policy, Royal Mail, said: “Roses are a familiar part of many British gardens, as well as holding a special place in British culture and heritage. These beautiful stamps bring together art and horticulture through original illustrations of 10 distinctive roses, each carefully interpreted to capture its unique character.”
Royal Mail worked with horticultural historian Jennifer Potter on the stamp issue.
Roses
All roses trace their ancestry back to wild roses native to the Northern Hemisphere, which typically bear single, five-petalled flowers, such as the dog rose and the field rose found in the UK.
Garden varieties emerged gradually over centuries, first through natural mutations and later through deliberate breeding. Old European roses such as gallicas, albas, damasks and centifolias, including Rosa gallica ‘Versicolor’ and Rosa ‘Charles de Mills’, are celebrated for their rich scent and early summer flowering.
From the 18th century onwards, Chinese roses introduced repeat flowering, transforming rose breeding and leading to the modern hybrid tea roses that remain popular today. Notable varieties include ‘Étoile de Hollande’, ‘Peace’ and ‘Just Joey’.
In 1961, David C.H. Austin introduced ‘Constance Spry’, launching what became known as English Roses, combining the beauty and fragrance of old roses with the flowering performance of modern types.
The stamps, and a range of collectible products, are available on general sale and from www.royalmail.com/roses
