Rose Inspired by Sultan of Oman on Display at Chelsea Flower Show

Two roses inspired by the Sultan of Oman and his wife and representing the colours of the Omani flag are currently on display at London's Chelsea Flower Show.

The red Harcarmine was created in honour of Sultan Haitham of Oman, while the white Harforever was created for his wife Ahad Al Busaidiyah. The foliage represents the green part of the flag.

The roses are a crossbreeding of a combination of varieties and have been grown in the city of Salalah.

The roses were unveiled at a ceremony in Chelsea this week, which was attended by Oman's ambassador to the UK, Badr Al Mantheri. 

The Gulf country already has a reputation for cultivating roses, with thousands of rose bushes flowering each year across Jebel Akhdar. 

The harvest season in Oman between March and April attracts tourists from all over the world who come to watch pickers select the flowers to make smoked rosewater.