The English Rose

The term 'English rose' conjures up a variety of images which fall somewhere between the delicate pink roses of high summer and the fair complexion of a young girl. Either way, the term is synonymous with beauty and innocence, and through the centuries has been absorbed into our heritage. Arena goes in search of the perfect English rose in a journey through fact and fairy tale, history, religion and the back garden. Are we looking for a girl or a perfect exhibition bloom?

Contributors include Jack Harkness, OBE, breeder and rose grower; Don Charlton, rose-growing champion; Barbara Daly, make-up artist and creator of 'the face' of Princess Diana for her wedding; Cyril Fletcher and Jane Asher, both of whom have given their names to famous roses.