15th October 2025- Stephen White

Supported by some stunning photography, Stephen took us on an informative tour through the main contenders for ‘best rose’ in the Peter Beales’ catalogue. He explained how the business developed from its early beginnings of ‘a few roses in a field’ into the ultimate family business where exciting new varieties of rose were bred each year and every member of staff was made to feel like one of the family. That team ethic inevitably led to multiple years of success as a gold medalist exhibitor at Chelsea Flower Show and the production of roses much beloved by both members of the Royal Family and stars of stage and screen. Perhaps the most salient lesson for we amateurs was Stephen reassuring us ‘how difficult it is to kill a rose’, although there may be several with evidence to the contrary(!) Much thanks are due to Stephen for bringing us his vast knowledge in such an interesting and informative way -and condensing it into a format that, even after a good lunch, it was easy to understand.