A NEW rose named after Emily Brontë has proved an immediate hit at the Chelsea Flower Show.

The Emily Brontë rose, created by renowned grower David Austin to celebrate the writer’s bicentenary, became a bestseller with the public.

The shrub rose was showcased in the Gold Medal-winning 2018 Welcome to Yorkshire garden at the internationally-renowned flower show.

Rebecca Yorke, from the Brontë Parsonage Museum, was among visitors to the garden, carrying a copy of Emily’s classic novel Wuthering Heights.

Emily Brontë, also known as Ausearnshaw, is described as an exceptionally beautiful rose with distinctive, strongly fragrant blooms of a soft blush colour with central petals deepening to apricot.

It has a strong tea fragrance, which is complemented by hints of old rose, lemon and grapefruit.

Brontë Society executive director Kitty Wright said: “Over many years of piecing together Emily’s short but plenteous life, we know that she was completely at one with nature and the outdoors, so this is a really fitting tribute and celebration.

“David Austin Roses has created a beautiful bloom with charming colours and delicate details and its free-flowering nature makes it a perfect match for Emily.”

David Austin Jnr, managing director of David Austin Roses and eldest son of founder David Austin, said the company introduced only a few new roses each year.

He said: “This follows a nine-year breeding programme and therefore naming a rose is exceptionally important and personal to my father and I.

Visit davidaustinroses.co.uk to buy the rose.