GOLDEN TULIP NAMED AFTER KING CHARLES WILL BLOOM IN BRITAIN
- Tulipa King Charles III planted at gardening presenter's Herefordshire home
- New flower christened at the world's largest tulip garden in Amsterdam
A new tulip named after the King is set to bloom in Britain after being officially 'baptised' with champagne in the Netherlands.
The golden yellow 'Tulipa King Charles III' was 'christened' at the world's biggest tulip garden near Amsterdam.
Bulbs have also been planted in BBC's Gardeners' World presenter Monty Don's Longmeadow garden.
Joanna Roper, British Ambassador to the Netherlands, poured champagne over the 'royal' tulip in the christening ceremony at Keukenhof park in Lisse.
The flower is expected to be a popular attraction at the park's annual flower exhibition, one of the world's most photographed with 1.4 million visitors last year, many from the UK.
Roper said: 'Tulips are perhaps the most famous symbol of the Netherlands and to name this tulip after His Majesty King Charles III is a wonderful way to emphasise the close ties between the UK and the Netherlands.
'King Charles is known for his love of nature and the environment, so it seems pertinent that this quintessentially Dutch flower has been named in his honour.
'The UK and the Netherlands are both green-fingered nations. From Dutch tulip mania to the English landscape garden, both countries see horticulture and gardening as a way to bring us closer to nature.
'And no less than 80 per cent of the flowers the UK imports come from the Netherlands.'
Dutch tulip breeder Hybris says the first King Charles III bulbs will be made publicly available in the 2027-28 season and will be suitable for gardens and flower boxes.
In the meantime, special bulbs have been planted at the Herefordshire home of gardening guru Don, 68, after being sent via the Dutch Embassy in London.
British breeder Harkness Roses created a pretty pink 'King Charles Coronation Rose' to commemorate the new monarch ascending to the throne.
It previously named another pink rose the 'Queen Elizabeth II' to mark her 2022 Platinum Jubilee.
They are among a string of beautiful blooms named after members of the Royal Family to have been exhibited at Chelsea Flower Show down the years.
In 2019, a 'stunning' purple 'Clematis Meghan' was unveiled in celebration of Meghan Markle marrying Prince Harry.
The 'Princess Charlotte Chrysanthemum', a baby pink bloom named after the daughter of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, was showcased in 2016.
And in 2014, the 'Georgie Boy' daffodil, named after Prince George, was exhibited.
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