Spearheaded by the founding Director Tayshan Hayden-Smith and Danny Clarke, Grow to Know emerged as a healing force following the tragic events of the Grenfell Tower fire. This resilient community of guerrilla gardeners has been actively engaged in transforming spaces and fostering a sense of community through their shared love for horticulture. Grow to Know believe that gardening is as a platform to enable communities and their young people to thrive, providing green spaces for a better environment and to foster mental and physical health.
The contribution follows the unveiling of the new rose for 2023, Dannahue® (Ausa6b15) at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in May. According to David Austin, the new introduction is a captivating apricot, fruity-scented English rose, named after the birth-name of Danny Clarke, The Black Gardener and Grow to Know’s Director of Gardens. This rose marks the culmination of a 12-year breeding programme by David Austin Roses and the company’s dedication to diversity and unity in the world of gardening.
Speaking on the donation and the newly introduced Dannahue® rose, David Austin, CEO, expressed “At David Austin Roses, we believe in the power of nature to heal and unite communities. Grow to Know’s dedication to creating a more inclusive and nurturing environment aligns seamlessly with our values. We are honoured to contribute £10,000 to support their initiatives and that our Dannahue® rose acts as a symbol of unity and diversity within the world of gardening.”
Danny Clarke of Grow to Know expressed gratitude for the generous donation, stating, “We are deeply thankful to David Austin Roses for their support. This donation will enable us to expand our community projects and continue our mission of fostering healing through gardening.”