Scientist have been able to grow blue roses after 20 years.
The flowers are genetically modified with a gene that produces
Delphinidin, which creates the blue pigment in pansies. The flowers were first displayed at the International Flower Expo in Toyko and are reportedly going on sale next Autumn.
This new breed of roses was created by the Australian branch of the Japanese company,
Suntory. They have invested almost 19 years and three billion yen (which is over $30 million in US currency) to the creation of these roses, as well as blue carnations and other flowers. The typical colors for roses are pink, red, white and yellow, although it is common for dying white flowers to turn to other colors. The first blue rose was created four years ago in a laboratory but they have been working to have them grow like that in nature.
Another neat invention displayed at the Flower Expo was a glow-in-the dark rose, but those are a lab production so don’t expect those in your local florist any time soon.