AN annual show at a stately home came up smelling of roses.

For green-fingered garden fans flocked from far and wide to the Hatfield House Rose Weekend.

Hatfield House director Nick Moorhouse said: “The roses looked and smelt glorious and people enjoyed browsing the plant stalls to find unusual varieties.

“The quality of the plants was outstanding and visitors were heard to remark on the ‘real rose’ perfume.

“Deep purple and flame orange roses seemed the most popular, particularly ‘Easy Does it’ from Harkness Roses, which was introduced at Chelsea last month.”

Philip Harkness, from the Hitchin-based firm, was in attendance to advise visitors on rose care and the perfect plant for their garden.

Also on hand were representatives from Codicote, Stevenage and Hitchin Garden Centres, who were kept busy answering questions about growing your own vegetables.

Food was also a big draw, with cheese and wedding cake samples courtesy of Knebworth-based Cheese Yes Please! and WGC’s Waitrose store.

And Hatfield House’s resident chef Andrew McCreanor served afternoon teas and home-made cakes in the Old Palace.

The Rose Weekend also featured music, with songs from The Mikado by Stevenage Chorus, and Hairspray by Hertfordshire Concert Band.

Hatfield’s ‘Romantic Tenor’, Neil Simon, also performed.

The Home Counties area National Association of Flower Arranging Societies also held its anniversary flower arranging competition in the Riding School.

“Golden Memories was the theme, and there were certainly some golden memories to take home,” the spokeswoman added.