This month we feature one of the best red roses – after all it’s Valentine’s Day on the 14th in case you have forgotten!
‘Precious Platinum’ was first released in the 1970’s at a time when there were few good red Hybrid Teas on the market and has stood the test of time since its introduction.
Red is a colour often associated with love and the large crimson red blooms of this variety still make it one of the finest reds around today. The high centred blooms are produced on long stems so make it an ideal for picking and enjoying in a vase. Dark green, glossy foliage compliments the blooms well and has good disease tolerance. A medium to tall grower, it goes need a little room in the garden. There is some fragrance but like most red roses, sadly not rated as a strongly fragrant variety.
Bred by Pat Dickson in Northern Ireland, it has been popular in New Zealand since it’s introduction and also won a Certificate of Merit at the NZRS trials in the mid-1970’s. Still available and worth growing today.
