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April
3, 2006
VOL.
44, NO. 7Oakland,
CA
Tea rose honors Pope John Paul II
PORTLAND,
Ore. (CNS) -- Medford-based Jackson & Perkins has unveiled a hybrid
tea rose in honor of the late Pope John Paul 11, who died a year ago April
2. Company representatives worked with Vatican officials over a period
of several months to design the pure white rose, which its creators call
luminous and reminiscent of the late pope’s white garb.
The company will put 10 percent of sales at the disposal of the Vatican;
church officials have designated the poor people in sub-Saharan Africa
as the recipients.
“Pope John Paul, a man of peace and compassion, was one of the most
revered leaders of our time,” said Bill Williams, president of Jackson
& Perkins, a nationally recognized gardening and outdoor decorating
company.
Ten of the rose bushes have already been planted in the Vatican gardens
overlooking St. Peter’s Basilica.
“It’s going to be popular with customers and perpetuate the
good works and the sense of noble Christianity that we found in the heart
of our late Holy Father,” said Bill Ihle, the company’s senior
vice president of corporate relations and a member of Shepherd of the
Valley Parish in Central Point. He helped develop the idea of honoring
the pope.
The 2006 papal rose is available through the company’s March catalog
or via its Web site, www.jacksonandperkins.com
