There is a growing list of schools that now have their ‘own’ rose and you can be sure they are top performers!
It has become popular for schools to celebrate their centenary or milestone anniversary with a special rose named after the school.
Why roses? Most likely because the rose itself symbolises so many of the values that schools can identify with, such as valour, balance, hope, resilience, adaptability, passion (red roses) purity and innocence (white roses).
School roses are also good fund raisers. The sale of such roses to present parents and past pupils can help to generate funds for the school or special projects and you can be sure that mass plantings helps to beautify the school grounds too.
Centenary roses
As a testimony to the enduring nature of our schools quite a number of schools that have celebrated their centenaries with roses.
The oldest school in South Africa, that was founded in Cape Town on October 1, 1829, is ‘SACS (SA College School) and its rose is called ‘Spirit of SACS’. The rose was chosen for its combination of immaculate old-fashioned white blooms and modern vigour. It is a compact, hip high Fairytale rose and has become a favourite for bridal bouquets.
Another venerable rose for a venerable school. The ‘St Dunstan’s Centenary’ rose’ is related to the world famous ‘Peace’ rose and it was chose to honour the centenary of St Dunstan’s College, an independent co-ed school in Benoni. The urn-shaped yellow buds slowly unfold into a large bloom, suffused with a pink sheen. The blooms last well on the 2m highbush and remain fresh when cut for the vase.
Roses for boy’s schools
It is probably not surprising that many boy’s schools have chosen pure red roses or those with a deep red tinge. These include Grey College, King Edward, Michael house, Paul Roos, Pretoria Boy’s High, St Peter’s, and St Stithians’ College. The only girl’s school with a red rose is ‘St Mary’s’ in Waverly, Johannesburg.
A rose that is just a little different is the ‘Cordwalles Centenary Rose.’ Rose breeder Ludwig Tascher looked for a rose that the boys could identify with. In other words, a strong colour, rugged and easy to grow. The rose that ticked the boxes is tall and tough, producing blooms of a glowing orange vermilion that take on a brown hue when the flowers have opened. It is a superb specimen rose for planting on its own, in flower beds and for security as a thorny hedge.
What girls schools want
Mostly, girl’s schools favour softer colours, such as pink or a blend of cream and pink, such as Johannesburg’ s Roedean School, ‘St Mary’s DSG in Pretoria, St Ursula’s School in Krugersdorp and Stellenbosch schools of Rhenish and Bloemhof.
The rare colouring and antique charm of ‘Phambili DSG’ makes this an unforgettable rose. It was named to commemorate the 150th anniversary of St Mary’s DSG in Pretoria. Its long-lasting blooms symbolise strength and confidence and enduring beauty. The shoulder high hybrid tea is vigorous and healthy.
Adapting to climate change
When choosing roses, schools are also looking for roses that are hardier and drought tolerant.
The Curro group, chose this brilliant vermillion rose to celebrate their 10th anniversary.
This hardy, drought tolerant rose produces a multitude of short-stemmed blooms. It needs less water than traditional hybrid tea roses because its spreading growth shades the roots and the short-stemmed flowers take less energy to produce. The strong petals hold their shape without fading, even under the hottest sun.
Other school roses that fall into this category are ‘Legacy of Bellavista’ and ‘The Ridge School.’
‘The Ridge School’ is a very popular strong growing shrub rose that is virtually maintenance free. It has very fragrant, long lasting deep mauve blooms. The 2 m high and wide shrub stands out as a feature and it is also useful as a background.
More details: www.ludwigsroses.co.za
