Peter Beales

Peter Beales
Peter Beales MBE
Born	Peter Leslie Beales (1936-07-22)22 July 1936 Norfolk
Died	26 January 2013(2013-01-26) (aged 76) Norfolk
Nationality	British
Occupation	Rosarian
Known for	rose breeder/nurseryman, author, lecturer
Awards	Victoria Medal of Honour

Peter Beales MBE, (22 July 1936 – 26 January 2013) was a British , author and lecturer. Beales was considered one of the leading experts on roses, especially species and classic roses, preserving many old varieties and introducing 70 new cultivars during his lifetime. He served as the President of the Royal National Rose Society from 2003 until 2005. Speaking of his contribution on BBC news, Alan Titchmarsh said: "It was the old and classic roses that Peter loved best and by growing them and making them available to a wider range of gardeners, he did tremendous work in terms of our rose-growing heritage."

Peter Leslie Beales was born in Norfolk on 22 July 1936 and brought up by his grandparents near North Walsham. He studied at Norwich City College and then trained with LeGrice Roses in North Walsham before National Service, during which time he met his wife Joan. Peter then worked as manager at Hillings Rose Nursery in Surrey, under the guidance of legendary rosarian Graham Stuart Thomas. He succeeded Thomas as foreman of roses.

In 1968, Peter Beales started Peter Beales Roses Ltd. – initially in Swardeston, Norfolk, before moving to the market town of Attleborough. Beales' passion and specialism was wild and classic breeds of roses, many of which he saved from extinction by collecting and breeding them. Over time, the family-run nursery grew to become a major specialist centre, growing and retailing over 1,200 different varieties of rose. Beales' nursery holds more than 100 types of wild roses, recognised by the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) as the most extensive collection of its kind in Britain. Beales' nursery also holds the National Collection of Rosa Spp (species roses). Peter Beales Roses has bred and introduced more than 70 rose cultivars. The company set up a full e-commerce website in 1997.