This Morning star Holly Willoughby joked that she needs flowers that are “Holly-proof” as she unveiled a rose named after the daytime show.
She was joined by co-star Phillip Schofield at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show to reveal the pink bloom, which marks the programme’s 30th birthday.
She said: “It’s a very beautiful rose. It’s pink, which we like; it smells, which we really like. It’s probably one of the few roses I will be able to take home and keep alive because it sounds like it’s Holly-proof.
Holly and Phil launch This Morning anniversary rose from Harkness. @RHSPressOffice @The_RHS pic.twitter.com/h63exMCSI5
— Hannah Stephenson (@hannahjournoPA) May 21, 2018
“I’m not very good in the garden so this is definitely the rose for me, and I think, a bit like This Morning, having something like this that you can just look and it’s a little bit of beauty in your life, and will make you smile everyday, hopefully that is what This Morning does.”
Schofield said: “It’s a fabulous honour to have a rose named after the programme.
“It’s been running for 30 years – I think I’ve been there for 16 – so it started in 1988 and so what’s lovely about this rose is it’s just like This Morning, I think the two of them are indestructible.”
The TV star also said how excited he was to be at the flower show, saying: “It’s so typically English, it’s a restful oasis.”
The flower, produced in association with Harkness Roses, was selected by This Morning’s gardener, David Domoney, for the anniversary.
Describing the “unique” rose, he said: “It has very dainty flowers, with a deep eye centre.
“It can grow as a bush, it can grow in a container, it can trail down the side of things and if put against a wall it will even climb.”
Find out more from 1030am on @thismorning only on @ITV #RHSChelsea #RHSChelsea2018 #Chelsea2018 pic.twitter.com/G6KjKCnwKr
— David Domoney (@daviddomoney) May 21, 2018
The press preview day of the annual flower show began with rapper Professor Green opening the RHS Feel Good Garden, which promotes gardening for health, happiness and well-being.
Designed by gardener Matt Keightley, the space aims to provide a contemporary and therapeutic environment which focuses on the positive impact that gardens and gardening can have on health.
The musician, whose real name is Stephen Manderson, said: “I know only too well how hard and hopeless it can feel when you suffer from anxiety and depression.
“I’m opening this garden at RHS Chelsea Flower Show because if being out in a garden helps people feel better or takes their mind off their worries, then that has to be a good thing.”
After the flower show, the garden will live on at Camden and Islington (C&I) NHS Foundation Trust.
Professor Green added: “I think the Chelsea garden living on at the Camden and Islington mental health trust is a great project that will be of real benefit to both the patients, and also the staff who work there.
“I love my own garden and the more time people spend close to nature, away from phones and general pressure of life. the better we’ll all feel.”