The quest for gardening's holy grail is over. It's a blue rose - and it will be gracing flower arrangements near you thanks to an Australian company.
Japanese beverage maker Suntory Holdings, working in conjunction with Australian biotechnology concern Florigene since the early 1990s, launched the world's first blue roses for sale in Japan earlier this month.
The roses, which Suntory says has nearly 100 per cent blue pigment in the petals, were successfully developed in 2004 by introducing a blue gene from pansies.
The company said it has taken a long time to secure government approval for production and sale of the new flower because it is a genetically engineered product.
The new flower, called Suntory blue rose Applause, signifies "a dream fulfilled," reflecting long development efforts, Suntory said. One flower is expected to sell for 2,000 to 3,000 yen.
Although the new rose will be available in only eight of Japan's 47 prefectures because of limited production during the initial phase, Suntory plans to achieve nationwide sales by 2011.
The blue rose has almost mystical connotations. Associated with royalty and 'love at first sight', they are also symbols of the 'impossible dream' - most likely because of the difficulty associated in developing them.
The quest for a blue rose is the holy grail of gardening. Since the 1840s, european horticultural societies have been offering substantial cash prizes for cracking the colour code.
Until recently, all contenders for the prize were proven to be forgeries.
And controversy lingers over the Applause rose, with many critics claiming the colour is not "true blue" - saying it is more of a "wishy washy mauve" and not the sky blue desired by enthusiasts.
Another viable contender for the title of blue rose appeared in 1965. But the true tone of its colour is also controversial, being more lilac-
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