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My love is like a blue, blue rose My love is like a blue, blue rose
(about 18 hours later)
The "blue" rose required 20 years of research by Kathryn Westcott BBC NewsThe "blue" rose required 20 years of research by Kathryn Westcott BBC News
The blue rose has long been referred to by horticulturalists as the "Holy Grail" of the plant breeding world.The blue rose has long been referred to by horticulturalists as the "Holy Grail" of the plant breeding world.
Now what is being described as the world's first genetically-modified blue rose will soon hit flower shops in Japan. Now what is being described as the world's first genetically-modified blue rose is about to hit flower shops in Japan.
A Japanese firm has announced that it will be the first to put the unique flower on sale to the public - at a not-to-be-sniffed-at 2,000 and 3,000 yen (US$22 and US$33) per stem, about 10 times more expensive than normal. A Japanese firm has announced it will be the first to put the unique flower on sale to the public - at a not-to-be-sniffed-at 2,000 and 3,000 yen (US$22 and US$33) per stem, about 10 times more expensive than normal.
Genetically, there is no natural blue pigmentation in the rose to allow a true blue rose to be bred by conventional methods.Genetically, there is no natural blue pigmentation in the rose to allow a true blue rose to be bred by conventional methods.
ARE RED BEST? Blue Roses, Rudyard KiplingARE RED BEST? Blue Roses, Rudyard Kipling
Roses red and roses whitePlucked I for my love's delight.She would none of all my posies -Bade me gather her blue roses.Roses red and roses whitePlucked I for my love's delight.She would none of all my posies -Bade me gather her blue roses.
Half the world I wandered through,Seeking where such flowers grew;Half the world unto my questAnswered me with laugh and jest.Half the world I wandered through,Seeking where such flowers grew;Half the world unto my questAnswered me with laugh and jest.
Home I came at wintertide,But my silly love had died,Seeking with her latest breathRoses from the arms of Death.Home I came at wintertide,But my silly love had died,Seeking with her latest breathRoses from the arms of Death.
It may be beyond the graveShe shall find what she would have.Mine was but an idle quest -Roses white and red are best.It may be beyond the graveShe shall find what she would have.Mine was but an idle quest -Roses white and red are best.
But in 2004 whisky distiller Suntory said it had succeeded in developing natural blue roses. But in 2004, whisky distiller Suntory said it had succeeded in developing natural blue roses.
With Australian biotech company Florigene, it said it spliced into roses the gene that leads to the synthesis of the blue pigment Delphinidin in petunias.With Australian biotech company Florigene, it said it spliced into roses the gene that leads to the synthesis of the blue pigment Delphinidin in petunias.
The fruits of that 20-year research project will be delivered to the public next month.The fruits of that 20-year research project will be delivered to the public next month.
Talk of blue roses is not new. Faux blue roses were traditionally created by dyeing white roses.Talk of blue roses is not new. Faux blue roses were traditionally created by dyeing white roses.
And nominal "blue roses" have been bred by conventional hybridisation methods. But, according to experts, these are more accurately described as light purple in colour.And nominal "blue roses" have been bred by conventional hybridisation methods. But, according to experts, these are more accurately described as light purple in colour.
In 1847 American nurseryman Samuel Parsons wrote in his book The Rose that progress in science and technology might, indeed, enable gardeners to cultivate blue roses. In 1847, American nurseryman Samuel Parsons wrote in his book The Rose that progress in science and technology might, indeed, enable gardeners to cultivate blue roses.
If so, he said, they would be worth the effort.If so, he said, they would be worth the effort.
Rosebreeder Bernard Mehring says that as far back as the 1900s there was a German variety of "blue" rose known as the Veilchenblau. But the petals are, again, more a "mauvey-grey", he says, and it only flowers once.Rosebreeder Bernard Mehring says that as far back as the 1900s there was a German variety of "blue" rose known as the Veilchenblau. But the petals are, again, more a "mauvey-grey", he says, and it only flowers once.
According to the Victorians, who promoted floriography - the language of flowers - blue roses were believed to signify mystery or the attempt to attain the impossible. According to the Victorians, who promoted floriography - the language of flowers - blue roses signified mystery or the attempt to attain the impossible.
Since those times the colour of a rose has represented a different sentiment or feeling.Since those times the colour of a rose has represented a different sentiment or feeling.
Red roses still imply passionate, romantic love and pink roses a lesser affection. White roses suggest virtue and chastity and yellow roses still stand for friendship or devotion. Passion and romantic love is still associated with red roses. Pink roses apparently imply a less passionate affection - rather a more gentle or poetic one. White roses signal sincerity and purity, while yellow roses stand for friendship.
A natural blue rose would signify something that is expensive and rare Royal Horticultural SocietyA natural blue rose would signify something that is expensive and rare Royal Horticultural Society
Sarah Holland from the Flowers and Plants Association in the UK says she believes natural blue roses "would be hugely in demand".Sarah Holland from the Flowers and Plants Association in the UK says she believes natural blue roses "would be hugely in demand".
Dyed-blue roses, which are also a soft purple colour, sell well in the UK, she says.Dyed-blue roses, which are also a soft purple colour, sell well in the UK, she says.
"They don't appeal to everyone because they are unnatural, but there is definitely a place for them. They are, for example, popular for weddings.""They don't appeal to everyone because they are unnatural, but there is definitely a place for them. They are, for example, popular for weddings."
Her association receives lots of inquiries about black or blue roses every year ahead of Valentines Day, she adds.Her association receives lots of inquiries about black or blue roses every year ahead of Valentines Day, she adds.
"Roses may be ubiquitous nowadays. But they haven't lost their meaning, and people are always looking for something that is unique." "Roses may be ubiquitous nowadays, but they haven't lost their meaning and people are always looking for something that is unique."
Standing outStanding out
Helen Bostock, a horticulture advisor at the UK's Royal Horticultural Society, says that while a true-blue rose sounds fabulous, it could stand out like a "sore thumb".Helen Bostock, a horticulture advisor at the UK's Royal Horticultural Society, says that while a true-blue rose sounds fabulous, it could stand out like a "sore thumb".
"A natural blue rose would signify something that is expensive and rare. It would signify exclusivity."A natural blue rose would signify something that is expensive and rare. It would signify exclusivity.
"It has been the Holy Grail to rose breeders, but, personally, I think it would look odd - a bit like a plate of blue chips.""It has been the Holy Grail to rose breeders, but, personally, I think it would look odd - a bit like a plate of blue chips."
Red roses are associated with passionate loveRed roses are associated with passionate love
She is doubtful that any blue rose would be anything other than a novelty. She is doubtful that a blue rose would be anything other than a novelty.
"A red rose signifies passion, but blue is a bit cold, in my book." "A red rose signifies passion, but blue is a bit cold in my book."
Breeder Bernard Mehring is also unimpressed by the news of the blue rose.Breeder Bernard Mehring is also unimpressed by the news of the blue rose.
He has managed to breed a black rose, but says that if you tried to grow it in the garden the sunlight would cause the petals to shrivel up.He has managed to breed a black rose, but says that if you tried to grow it in the garden the sunlight would cause the petals to shrivel up.
He thinks the blue rose would, for different reasons, would be no good in the garden. "I can't see that a natural blue rose would be easy to grow." He thinks the blue rose, for different reasons, would be no good in the garden. "I can't see that a natural blue rose would be easy to grow."
It would also not be allowed to be cultivated in some countries, such as the UK, because of the controls imposed on genetically-modified plants. Its cultivation would not be allowed in some countries, such as the UK, because of the controls imposed on genetically-modified plants.
Feeling blueFeeling blue
Roses have been the subject of many myths, legends, poems and paintings. Our fascination with them stretches back centuries.Roses have been the subject of many myths, legends, poems and paintings. Our fascination with them stretches back centuries.
The Romans loved roses. The Emperor Nero was believed to have had an extravagant rotating banquet hall in which rose petals were said to have cascaded from the ceiling. The Romans loved roses. The Emperor Nero was believed to have had an extravagant rotating banquet hall in which rose petals cascaded from the ceiling.
And Napoleon Bonaparte's Empress Josephine instructed collectors to send her roses from around the known world, even during the Napoleonic Wars.And Napoleon Bonaparte's Empress Josephine instructed collectors to send her roses from around the known world, even during the Napoleonic Wars.
In Japan, where the act of present-giving is highly ritualistic, the new blue variety, Applause, will be marketed as a "luxurious gift for special occasions such as wedding anniversaries".In Japan, where the act of present-giving is highly ritualistic, the new blue variety, Applause, will be marketed as a "luxurious gift for special occasions such as wedding anniversaries".
There are no current plans to sell the new variety overseas, which might not be a bad thing, according to Mr Mehring. He warns that in some countries blue is not a popular colour for flowers.There are no current plans to sell the new variety overseas, which might not be a bad thing, according to Mr Mehring. He warns that in some countries blue is not a popular colour for flowers.
"In Italy, the blue is associated with mistrust or bereavement," he says."In Italy, the blue is associated with mistrust or bereavement," he says.
In China, however, according to one Chinese folk tale, the blue rose signifies hope against unattainable love.In China, however, according to one Chinese folk tale, the blue rose signifies hope against unattainable love.
What do you think a blue rose would signify? Add your comments on this story, using the form below.What do you think a blue rose would signify? Add your comments on this story, using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions
But it's not Blue, it's Lilac?
So it's either back to the drawing board, or off to the Optician for you lot!
Gail Vlachakis, Chania, Crete, Greece
Roses are red, roses are blue
I love you and I feel blue
Okay not very good, but neither is the so-called "blue" rose which looks distinctly purple in the photos. I think I'd ask for my money back.Deborah Grieves, Newcastle, UK
When I was a young teenager my first "silly love had died", I cried and I mourned. I asked him to speak to me from beyond the grave, as I prayed that the beautiful connection between us had not been lost. I thought that if I received a rose that day I would know it was a sign that he could hear me. "Seeking roses from the arms of death". While at work later that day I received a large advertisement in the mail with large blue roses all over the page. I felt it was a sign as only he could send me blue roses, as it was a color of rose that did not exist on earth. I wish I had known of Kipling's poem back then (and thank you for sharing it with me now).
From this personal experience, I agree with the Italians that blue roses symbolize bereavement, as I was consumed with grief. I was attempting to "attain the impossible" communicating with the deceased, and was obsessed with the "mystery", of life and death, exactley as the Victorian floriographers believed the blue rose to symbolize.
Now, I am ready to believe in the Chinese folk tale symbolism of the blue rose, "hope against unattainable love" and that someday I will be with my Silly Love again.Rita, San Diego, Ca U.S.A
The Applause seems to be soft purple. Should be called purple rose? Historically, purple is religion oriented, something sacred, however, there isn't a universal religion.
I feel a "baby blue" rose will be more appealing to the public in that it denotes a nexus to babies; the most loving creature... Gus, Panama
Roses are a thing of beauty and scent in their natural state from the richest and deepest reds to the many gold yellow and salmon color to white. They all evoke purity and warmth; I can't imagine blue could do a better or more joyous job!Imadiel Ariel, Wellesley, MA USA
"Signify mystery or the attempt to attain the impossible..." Awesome. That's what I'm always trying to do! I'll definitely get her some.Andrew Evans, San Francisco, CA
I think that actually having blue roses, rather than them being an impossibility, has taken out all the mystery. One year someone will invent the last impossibility, and the world will be very boring.Jacquie, Langdon, AB, Canada