Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes, there beneath the blue suburban skies I sit…

My neighbour’s climbing rose, Penny Lane.

Bred by Harkness and introduced in 1998 (it was Rose of the Year that year). Medium sweet fragrance. 4m x 2.5m (13′ x 8′)

As with many of the best modern repeat-flowering climbers, it is a hybrid between ‘New Dawn’ and a modern bush rose. Its flowers are large, loosely double and very beautiful, with lots of petals. They are apricot-buff in the centre, paling to ivory at the edges. They come in small clusters (typically 3-5 flowers) and repeat well. The plant has dark, shiny, healthy Wichurana leaves and slender stems, making it easy to train.

Now for the full lyrics…

Penny Lane there is a barber showing photographs
Of every head he’s had the pleasure to have known
And all the people that come and go
Stop and say hello

On the corner is a banker with a motorcar
The little children laugh at him behind his back
And the banker never wears a mac
In the pouring rain…
Very strange

Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes
There beneath the blue suburban skies
I sit, and meanwhile back

In Penny Lane there is a fireman with an hourglass
And in his pocket is a portrait of the Queen.
He likes to keep his fire engine clean
It’s a clean machine

Trumpet Solo

Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes
Four of fish and finger pies
In summer, meanwhile back

Behind the shelter in the middle of a roundabout
A pretty nurse is selling poppies from a tray
And though she feels as if she’s in a play
She is anyway

Penny Lane the barber shaves another customer
We see the banker sitting waiting for a trim
Then the fireman rushes in
From the pouring rain…
Very strange

Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes
There beneath the blue suburban skies
I sit, and meanwhile back
Penny Lane is in my ears and in my eyes
There beneath the blue suburban skies…
Penny Lane.