Good red roses are never easy to breed, so we are particularly pleased to introduce Darcey Bussell as we believe it is one of the best and most healthy red roses we have bred to date. Its beautiful flowers are produced freely and with excellent continuity. When young, their outer petals form a perfect ring around an inner cup; gradually opening out to form a perfect rosette. The colour is a deep rich crimson that takes on a tinge of mauve just before the petals drop. It has a pleasing, fruity fragrance with hints of green. This rose, with its short, bushy growth, is an excellent shrub for the front of the border or for planting in formal rose beds. It will make an excellent plant for a large pot. It is our first fully double crimson to be released since the best selling William Shakespeare 2000 and is perfect for gardeners who would prefer a more compact shrub. Darcey Bussell is the highly acclaimed ballerina. She was appointed principal at the Royal Ballet at the age of 20 and has danced in the title role of many ballets around the world. She has been honoured with many awards including the OBE in 1995.