Article Source: Dobbies
Last Updated: 22 March 2021 12:25
Spring is here and as a busy time in the gardeners calendar, there is plenty to be planting, pruning and preparing for a colourful season.
As gardens burst into life and we enjoy more time outdoors, the launch of a brand new variety of roses looks set to add even more interest and excitement to flower beds in spring 2021.
It’s time to take a fresh look at one of the UK’s best loved flowers, as Dobbies Garden Centres celebrates the launch of their ‘Taste of Love’ culinary Rose collection.
Not your average garden centre, Dobbies is the first UK retailer to sell the ‘Taste of Love’ range, which has just landed in store. Heading up the in-house horticultural team, gardening expert and Horticultural Director, Marcus Eyles said:
“Roses are well-known for adding an elegant touch of beauty to any outdoor space, but the fact that there are edible varieties is often forgotten. Just like any other fruit or vegetable, different varieties taste better than others, so the final ‘Taste of Love’ line up was decided after a number of expert taste tests.
“The three Roses that feature in the collection have each been specifically chosen for their unique flavours and textures - from silky sweet to refreshing citrus. The floral medley will leave your garden brimming with beautiful blooms, that can be used to complement a variety of sweet and savoury dishes.”
Just like different varieties of fruit, roses have different tasts and aromas. The ‘Taste of Love’ collection at Dobbies features three different roses – ‘Very Berry’, ‘Nadia Zerouali’ and ‘Theo Clevers’.
• Very Berry Rose – With strong, upright branches, this Rose has a sweet taste of redcurrants. With an intense pink colour, it’s very eye catching and is certain to make your garden stand out from the crowd. Flowers are nicely rounded and full of soft petals, blooming all summer long. In the kitchen, use them in confectioneries such as Rose petal preserve or rose syrup. Also suitable to sprinkle on salads.
• Nadia Zerouali Rose – The petals of this Rose are edible and have a fresh lemon/lemongrass taste. Strong medium-sized, healthy and resilient, it blooms continuously throughout the season and is very attractive to bees and butterlies. Best used in salads, Mediterranean cuisine, confectionery and drinks.
• Theo Clevers Rose – This variety has a gentle aroma of strawberries and has beautiful rosette-shaped flowers in large, tight clusters. These work well planted next to pergolas or porches where they will give a great display in combination with climbers. Also suitable for growing in larger pots if you only have space for containers on the patio. Use in confectionery, salads and beverages – this variety makes a lovely base for a rose petal ice cream.
The easiest way to enjoy Rose petal flavour all year round is to preserve their essence by making Rose water or Rose syrup, or dry them and store in an airtight container. Roses contain high levels of vitamin C and antioxidants, matching and even outperforming lots of common fruits and vegetables.
Top tips –
• The best time for harvesting Rose flowers is early in the morning, as that is when the concentration of aromatic and nutritional compounds is at its peak.
• If flowers are not to be used immediately after they are picked, they should be kept in an air tight container in the fridge. Petals can also be air-dried and stored in glass jars.
• Even though stamens of Roses are also edible, and they contribute to the overall aroma, people with pollen allergies should avoid them and use petals only. The 'Theo Clevers' Rose is perfect for those that do not like to deal with the little golden beads, as it has no stamens.
• Water thoroughly before planting, positioning in full sunlight. Prune in late winter or early spring and feed in late spring and again in mid-summer with good quality rose fertiliser.
A growing menu of edible flowers…other garden plants you can plate up
• Hollyhock, such as Crème de Cassis
• Calendula fruit twist
• Violas
• Sunflowers
• Marigolds
It's best to avoid eating any types of flower if you suffer from hay fever or other plant allergies or are allergic to pollen.
The ‘Taste of Love’ collection is part of Dobbies wider own-brand Rose collection launch this spring, featuring over 100 varieties. Roses start from £16.99 and are available instore. To find your nearest Dobbies, visit www.dobbies.com
For more expert growing advice and seasonal trend insights, listen to Dobbies gardening podcast, available on Apple Music and Spotify, www.dobbies.com/content/podcast
For information on virtual events hosted by Marcus Eyles, with his gardening tips and advice, visit: www.dobbies.com/content/events
Image: Rose ‘Very Berry’
One of the most iconic and beloved fantasy trilogies of all time, The Lord of The Rings, is returning to the big screen at Vue venues across Scotland, as it celebrates its 25th anniversary.
READ MORE
Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting pet parents to celebrate Valentine's Day with their beloved furry friends in selected stores across the country!
READ MORE
Aldi Scotland is giving primary school pupils across Scotland the chance to enjoy a truly traditional Burns Supper, complete with all the trimmings, including a bagpiper.
READ MORE
Glasgow International Comedy Festival has announced the full programme for 2026's event with 560 shows in 40 venues across the city from 11th - 29th March, and over 100,000 tickets now on sale!
READ MORE
If you're looking for a fun way to celebrate Burns Night this year, head to Flight Club!
READ MORE
The IRN-BRU Carnival is showing appreciation to any fellow fiery headed pals by offering a bonus ride voucher to anyone visiting with ginger hair on Sunday 11th January!
READ MORE
The renowned festival which every year transforms Glasgow in January into a must-visit destination for music lovers is now just over a week away.
READ MORE
Zizzi's January Birthday Jackpot guarantees a special gift for adults born in January, with some lucky birthday guests receiving the jackpot prize - £100 towards their bill!
READ MORE
Dog owners making an environmental New Year Resolution are hoped to boost the ranks of the Paws On Plastic charity to over 30,000 in 2026!
READ MORE
Dobbies Garden Centres is inviting customers along to an afternoon of creativity, connection, and cake this January, with a brand-new Crafternoon Tea Club.
READ MORE
Anyone with a connection to The Duke of Edinburgh's Award is being invited to celebrate the charity's 70th anniversary by sharing their fondest DofE memories.
READ MORE
Whether you're ditching the booze and going dry for a month or embracing Try January with the goal of experiencing new things, Flight Club, ticks all the boxes!
READ MORE
It's been another successful year of events in Renfrewshire which attracted more than 120,000 attendees and generated more than £4.4million for the local economy.
READ MORE
Paisley Alive, Scotland's first festival to unite music, fitness and wellness, has confirmed the full programme for its inaugural event in Barshaw Park on 4 July 2026.
READ MORE
Europe's largest indoor fun fair, The IRN-BRU Carnival, has opened to the public at Glasgow's SEC with its greatest show to date!
READ MORE
One lucky couple to win a luxury wedding reception for up to 100 guests... completely free!
READ MORE
Christmas is in full swing at Braehead Shopping Centre, and Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination is once again the place to celebrate the magic of the festive season!
READ MORE
Crowds turned out in Linwood to see the town's Christmas lights switched on for 2025.
READ MORE
This year, Renfrewshire along with Inverclyde, East Renfrewshire and Ayrshire will join communities across the UK in hosting a 'Together at Christmas' Community Carol Service in Paisley Abbey.
READ MORE
DF Concerts launches the DF Academy to strengthen pathways between education and Scotland's live music & events industry.
READ MORE
The Duck Hunt is back bigger and better with over 150 ducks hidden across Glasgow and beyond!
READ MORE
Investment in Renfrewshire's play parks continues with work set to begin on a further six play parks.
READ MORE
The unique legacy of globally-renowned Paisley designer and artist Dr Pam Hogg will inspire the next generation of creative talent, her proud home community says.
READ MORE
DF Concerts & Events is celebrating the success of their sustainability initiatives delivered across their major summer events in 2025.
READ MORE
Dalmeny Park is pulling out all the stops to make this festive season truly magical, unveiling its 2025 festive dining menus and afternoon teas available until 23rd December.
READ MORE
A brand-new programme of free fun activities and events returns with Renfrewshire’s praised Winter Connections.
READ MORE
The Scottish Jazz Awards 2025 celebrated the cream of the crop in the jazz scene on Sunday night, honouring outstanding artists and contributors at a memorable ceremony in Glasgow.
READ MORE
Interior designer, BBC Scotland's Home of the Year judge and entrepreneur Anna Campbell-Jones has released her first spirit.
READ MORE
A new civic plaza, garden and events space will be created in Erskine to provide a focal point for the local community.
READ MORE
The partnership is calling on the local community to donate new children's pyjamas, ensuring every child in Renfrewshire has something cosy to unwrap this Christmas.
READ MORE