Penny Lane

Where to plant. On walls (6–10 feet — the main use), arches, pergolas, trellises; as a romantic accent in English cottage gardens; ideal for "literary and musical" corners — a reminder of the Beatles-era.

Climate. All of Ukraine without cover (RHS H6, USDA 5–9); copes well with summer heat. In a mild climate it can reach 4.5 m tall.

Care. Full sun or light shade; a sturdy support is essential (wall or trellis); feed 2–3 times per season; prune by ⅓ in spring; good disease resistance — minimal prevention.

Name. "Penny Lane" — after The Beatles song "Penny Lane" (1967, written by Paul McCartney) — about a street in Liverpool where McCartney grew up. The introduction in 1998 coincided with a cultural wave of nostalgia for the Beatles (31 years after the song's release). The name captures the atmosphere perfectly: nostalgic British countryside, softness, warmth, musicality. Another Harkness-climber with a cultural name — Compassion (1973).

Breeding. Bred at R. Harkness & Co. Ltd. (Hitchin, Hertfordshire, UK) — one of the leading British rose nurseries (founded 1879). Code HARdwell (PBR). Introduced 1998. Parentage: 'Ann Harkness' (Floribunda, Harkness 1979) × 'New Dawn' (LCl, Dreer/Somerset Rose Nursery 1930). New Dawn is the mother! Penny Lane inherited hardiness, fragrance and repeat flowering from its mother, a Hall-of-Fame climber.

Significance. RNRS Rose of the Year 1998 — a prestigious British award from the Royal National Rose Society. RHS Award of Garden Merit — practical British recognition. One of the best-known British climbers of the late 1990s. A daughter of New Dawn — continues the line of WFRS HoF climbers. A multi-stage colour play: honey-champagne – pearly pale pink with cream. Placed 109th at the Monza Competition 1999 — also shown in international competitions. The Beatles-era in the garden.