Dobbies launch culinary Roses collection

Discover the edible plants you can grow on your doorstep, as brand new collection of edible roses lands in Dobbies stores across the UK.

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’

Got a story to share? Send us an email at hello[@]whatsonnetwork.co.uk

Latest Glasgow News

Cast announced for Citz festive retelling of Beauty and The Beast

A celebration of being bold and gloriously yourself, this year’s Citizens Theatre production of Beauty and The Beast is a family-friendly and funny new take on the classic fairytale.

Expanded River Island opens at Glasgow Fort, making it the largest branch in Scotland

As part of a major 'glow up' for the brand at Glasgow Fort, River Island has relocated its existing store within the centre to a larger, more modern unit, located between Superdry and BPerfect.

Solar powered Observation Wheel, the first in the world, will be unveiled in Glasgow this Christmas

The world's first solar power Observation Wheel is set to be unveiled at Glasgow's Winter Wonderland at St Enoch Square!

Buchanan Galleries welcomes seven retailers for Christmas shopping season

Seven exciting retailers are set to join city centre shopping destination Buchanan Galleries ahead of the festive season.

Halloween is just around the corner and The Ivy Glasgow has some scarily good things up their sleeve to help celebrate

This spooky season, take a stroll down the yellow brick road and into The Ivy Buchanan Street, Glasgow as it transforms into The Ivy Emerald City.

Potential changes to permitted development rights are putting beloved live music venues at risk

The public are urged to take part in the Scottish Government's consultation on planning laws, warning that the changes could put the country's live music venues and pubs at risk. 

Pizza Punks fire up an all new menu with 1000 free pizzas

Dive into Autumn with Pizza Punks' all-new menu featuring the 'Nduja Mac Daddy, Smash Burger Pizza, Double Pepperoni & Burrata and more!

Art Exhibition and Fashion Sale to Support Strathcarron Hospice

Strathblane artists are set to captivate the community with a charity art exhibition this weekend, aiming to raise funds for Strathcarron Hospice, Denny.

Silverburn named UK Retail Destination of the Year

Silverburn has been named as 'Retail Destination of the Year' at the 2025 SCEPTRE Awards, the Oscars of retail, recognising its exceptional performance and contribution to the UK's retail industry.

CBeebies megastar Justin Fletcher will bring his brand new tour to The Pavilion Theatre Glasgow

CBeebies megastar Justin Fletcher has announced that his brand-new live theatre tour Justin Time To Rock will now continue into Spring 2026, with final tour dates just announced.

No tricks, just treats at Silverburn this Halloween

Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, is the place to be for a selection of fang-tastic Halloween events this October!

Priscilla Queen of the Desert announces full casting including Strictly champion

The full cast have been announced for the UK and Ireland tour of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, including Strictly champion Kevin Clifton!

Sleigh bells ring early! Brand new Christmas fair at SEC announced as tickets go on sale

Deck the Halls unveils inaugural event in Glasgow in partnership with National Trust for Scotland.

Build up to Glasgow 2026 continues with new indoor bowling world record

Fans bowled over as celebrities and sports stars help set new record for world's largest bowls lesson as Glasgow 2026 ticket fever builds!

New year round Collaboration to make Outdoor Adventure accessible for All

The Yard, Foxlake and Wild Shore Dundee launch official partnership to deliver a year-round programme of inclusive activities, training, and support across three regions of Scotland.

The Saltires 2025 Shortlists Announced

The shortlisted titles for this year’s Saltires, Scotland’s National Book Awards, were announced at Blackwell’s bookshop in Edinburgh.

Casting announced for Priscilla Queen of the Desert

Kevin Clifton, Nick Hayes and Peter Duncan amongst the full cast announced who join previously announced Adèle Anderson (Fascinating Aïda) for Priscilla Queen of the Desert tour 2026.

KT Tunstall wins Modern Scottish Classic Award, plus SAY Award Shortlist reveal

The Scottish Album of the Year (SAY) Award has unveiled the 10 Shortlisted albums now in the running for 2025’s title and £20,000 prize, as well as five Sound of Young Scotland finalists.

The biggest community panto in Glasgow is back

Halo Arts is thrilled to announce the return of its annual community panto project, with this year's production of Pinocchio.

Celtic Connections 2026 unveils packed programme of unmissable world and roots music

Festival to set the tone for Glasgow's year of unforgettable international events!

Buchanan Galleries offers chances to win in the Great Gift Card Giveaway

£1,000 in Glasgow Gift Cards will be given away in the city centre shopping mall between 20th October to 2nd November.

The List Eat & Drink 365 guide to launch in Glasgow

A new print publication covering the eating and drinking scene in Glasgow follows the successful launch of Eat & Drink 365 Edinburgh earlier this year.

Tenement Trail Festival celebrates incredible 11th edition in Glasgow

Thousands of music fans descended on Glasgow's iconic East End for Scotland's festival of music discovery!

Major fashion retailer steps back into Silverburn

Popular footwear and sportswear retailer, Footasylum, is returning to Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, as the latest addition to its fashion offering.

Scottish icons swap stage for studio in bold new printmaking project

Alan Cumming, Franz Ferdinand, The Bluebells and More Join 'Call & Response' – a bold new printmaking collaboration from Glasgow Print Studio.

Jo Malone London arrives at Silverburn

Scotland's leading retail and leisure destination, Silverburn, has announced that British fragrance house, Jo Malone London, has opened its doors today.

Loch Lomond Shores has got the October school holidays sorted

There's loads to see and do – from pet friendly days out to breakfast with dinosaurs, loch tours and much more!

Scottish Wedding Show turns up the heat as it returns to the SEC

Scotland's largest wedding showcase, The Scottish Wedding Show, returns to Glasgow this weekend, ready to welcome thousands of couples from across the country looking to plan their dream day!

Keela and Mountaineering Scotland launch new campaign

Keela, the Scottish outdoor clothing brand, and Mountaineering Scotland Launch ‘Within You’, an new three-month campaign, inspiring Confidence, Connection, and Adventure in the Outdoors!