‘Anniversary Splendour’ has been chosen as the winning name for a new rose, as part of a national competition run by Notcutts Garden Centres in celebration of their 120th anniversary this year. Christine Trickett from Pontefract in Yorkshire has been crowned joint-winner of the competition, alongside Julie Yeomans from Norfolk who suggested the same name. Both winners were amongst 4,000 people across the country inspired to enter the competition.
Caroline Notcutt, Vice-Chairman at Notcutts Garden Centres, helped to select the winning name alongside the Notcutts Planteria team.
Caroline Notcutt said: “Congratulations to Christine Trickett and Julie Yeomans for both suggesting such a wonderful name. We believe Anniversary Splendour is a natural fit for our celebratory rose. Many entries we received were dedicated to loved ones so we chose Anniversary Splendour as the perfect name to celebrate all special anniversaries, as well as our own this year.
“Thank you to everyone who suggested a name for our competition – we were delighted to see such a huge response from customers nationwide, and I enjoyed reading through all the imaginative entries.”
A special prize bundle was presented to Christine and Julie at their local Notcutts Garden Centres in Norwich and Pontefract. Both winners received a prime specimen of the new rose as well as £120 in Notcutts gift vouchers, afternoon tea for two, a bottle or rosé champagne and a pair of Felco Original No.2 secateurs.
Upon receiving her prize, Christine said: “I am thrilled that my suggestion has won and I am very excited to see the Anniversary Splendour rose at my local Notcutts Victoria centre. I thought of the name because it recognises Notcutts’ 120th anniversary this year, which is a splendid achievement. I think the rose suits its new name and I look forward to planting it in my own garden.”
Joint winner Julie said: “I am so thrilled to have named the new rose, and for such a special occasion too. Anniversary Splendour will take pride of place in my garden!”
Three runners-up were also presented with prizes for their name suggestions; ‘Centoventi’ by Vanessa Stevens in Kent because it’s the Italian word for 120, ‘Precious Moments’ by Suzanne Wright in Buckinghamshire and ‘Raspberry Soufflé’ by Elaine Yates in Cheshire.
Anniversary Splendour is now exclusively on sale at Notcutts’ 18 garden centres nationwide, with its vivid pink blooms and superb fragrance. UK rose breeders, Harkness Roses bred the rose especially for Notcutts over the last six years, to ensure it is hardy, disease resistant and will thrive in a border or pot.
Anniversary Splendour is one of two new roses launched by Notcutts this year as part of their 120th celebrations. Founded in 1897 by Roger Crompton Notcutt, the garden centre group has remained family-run and has had an enduring passion for roses. Notcutts launched their new Deben Sunrise rose at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May, with cream to yellow blooms which reflect the changing colours of Charles Notcutt’s favourite sunrise in Suffolk.
