Chris Harrison, Host of ABC-TV's 'The Bachelor,' Unveils Newest Member of the Rose Family

Amid a display of 6,500 roses, CHRIS HARRISON, host of ABC-TV's "The Bachelor," led the unveiling of the newest variety of red rose, called The Palazzo Rose, after the Las Vegas resort. The rose "christening" ceremony -- held in the resort's picturesque Waterfall Atrium & Gardens -- was also attended by representatives of the flower's breeders and growers, which was developed in The Netherlands.

The new breed of roses, which features deep crimson red petals and a large amount of beautiful foliage, will be offered exclusively at the resort for one year -- including the resort's famed Las Vegas wedding program -- until it is more readily available at florists and retail centers.

"We couldn't think of a more appropriate way to honor The Palazzo Las Vegas brand," said Dana Beatty, director of horticulture for The Palazzo and sister resort The Venetian. "In our research, people often use adjectives to describe the resort like elegant and romantic -- which is how we also describe this variety of rose."

The red rose has a deep color, and has a high petal count, which allows it to open "large." It also has a substantial amount of green foliage, adding to its beauty in arrangements. Finally, it has a long shelf life, a quality prized by florists and consumers.

"Since we opened The Palazzo five years ago, millions of people have professed their love for this brand," said John Caparella, president and chief operating officer of The Palazzo, The Venetian, and Sands Expo. "And when you talk love, what is more appropriate than a red rose?"

"In the end, this new rose absolutely mirrors what we are about," he continued. "We are passionate about the quality -- and the romance -- of our Italian-inspired resorts and we are thrilled to be the namesake of the world's newest variety of red rose."

The roses were bred and grown in The Netherlands, which is the world's largest exporter of roses. They are distributed by Reineri, a prestigious Dutch floral supplier. They are imported locally by Greenfield & Company of Las Vegas.

"It takes about five years to develop a new variety of red rose," said Peter de Mos, general manager of Reineri. "This christening ceremony is literally the culmination of hundreds and hundreds of hours of work and dedication to create the newest and greatest variety of red rose."

Using the hotel as a namesake for the new variety was a natural, he said. "It's Italian; it's beautiful -- just like the flower. And the deep red color is reminiscent of the bricks that create the very foundation of a palace -- a Palazzo -- such as this."

During the ceremony, Harrison led the audience in a toast, and joined Caparella in dousing an arrangement in champagne, a tradition of the floral community to mark the "christening" of a new variety.

"This is my kind of rose ceremony," Harrison joked to the crowd, when the champagne arrived.

Harrison also announced that the first official arrangement to feature The Palazzo Rose was sent on Friday night to country music sensation Faith Hill for the opening night of her new limited engagement at The Venetian -- Soul2Soul -- also featuring her husband, Tim McGRaw.

Harrison, the host of "The Bachelor," is currently promoting the newest season of show, which begins airing on ABC-TV on Jan. 7.

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