September sales of Catherine’s Rose come just over a year after the Princess announced her cancer diagnosis
A beautiful flower associated with the Princess of Wales will be available for purchase at B&Q stores from late September 2025. The garden plant usually reaches its peak between mid-June and late autumn, displaying a striking deep pink hue.
The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) named the ‘Catherine’s Rose’ after Her Royal Highness, Princess Kate, to celebrate ‘the incredible healing power of nature’. Funds from their sale will also be donated to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity to help cancer patients nationwide.
B&Q, which is participating in the initiative, said: “Catherine’s Rose will flower between mid-June and late autumn, and bring a gorgeous scent to your garden that’s reminiscent of Turkish delight and mango.
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“With funds from every sale going to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity, Catherine’s Rose will help The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust to establish a unique training programme for clinical teams across the country to support patients who need intensive support to live well with, and beyond, cancer.”
September sales of Catherine’s Rose come just over a year after the Princess announced her own cancer diagnosis. After a temporary break from Royal duties, it was confirmed in September 2024 that she had finished chemotherapy and was focusing on being ‘cancer-free’.
In light of the new initiative, the RHS also said: “The RHS has named this rose for Her Royal Highness The Princess of Wales, to celebrate the incredible healing power of nature and raise awareness of the important role that spending time outdoors plays in bringing us joy and supporting our mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing.
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“Funds from the sale of Catherine’s Rose will go to The Royal Marsden Cancer Charity. The RHS is delighted that as well as supporting the crucial work of The Royal Marsden, Catherine’s Rose will raise awareness of how nature and gardening can help to heal. The UK’s gardening charity sees every day how accessing nature and being outside is vital for our health and happiness.“Harkness Roses has done a wonderful job breeding this spectacular rose that is going to bring joy to all our nation’s gardeners and keep our precious pollinators buzzing too!”
For more information, head to B&Q’s website here.
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When should I water and feed the roses?
Luckily, B&Q has clarified that roses don’t need too much fuss or attention. However, if you master your pruning, deadheading, and feeding, you could enjoy ‘flowers and fragrance for years to come’.
Its online guidance has said: “Apply a good handful of manure to each plant in March and again in September. Alternatively use a rose feed but check the dosage and application instructions.
“Roses in pots and containers will need feeding with a general-purpose fertiliser or rose feed every couple of weeks from April through to August. In dry weather, make sure you water your roses at least twice a week (more often in pots) to keep them hydrated.”
Beyond this, it’s also important to look out for any signs of disease, such as spotty leaves or dieback. You may want to consider spraying the plant with a rose-specific pesticide to avoid issues down the line.
Further guidance is available here.