Rose market trends, supply, demand and sustainability with Whartons Roses

Matthew Appleby and Jo Davey

This week, Jo Davey of Whartons Roses joins the Horticulture Week Podcast and speaks about the rose market, trends, supply and demand and sustainability.

Recently. after 35 years at the helm of Whartons Garden Roses, managing director Robert Wharton has become chairman, stepping aside for Paul Wharton to take on the role of managing director.

Paul joined the business in 2002 initially focusing on his passion for field production before taking on the broader role of operations director in 2014.

Supporting Paul, in the new role of sales and marketing director, is Jo Davey, who joined the business in 2019 as marketing manager. 

The Norfolk nursery, which celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2022, produces over 1.5 million roses each year for the retail market.

Whartons is running peat-free trials, but Davey says they are tougher for a one-genus plant nursery, as moving from peat-based to peat-free is an all or nothing move. Whartons' new reservoir will help beat drought issues also affecting the industry.

Promotions are Kordes repeat-flowering rambling roses, rose of the year 'Peach Melba', Hopes and Dreams, gift roses, cottage garden peachy look

Presenter: HortWeek editor Matthew Appleby
Producer: HortWeek digital content manager Christina Taylor

Make sure you never miss a Horticulture Week podcast! Subscribe to or Follow Horticulture Week podcasts via Apple PodcastsSpotify or Google Podcasts or your preferred podcast platform. 

If you are interested in producing a podcast with HortWeek, contact hortweek@haymarket.com.


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