Earlier announcements of the making of this latest version of the age-old tale attracted the inevitable attention of more entrepreneurs than Uncle Walt ever could have imagined. The result are offerings of various enchanted 'Beauty and the Beast Roses.' Some are frankly tacky, others pure kitsch and one, well, nearer to the real
rosa rubra.
Amazon is offering a 'Life-Sized 13-inch Enchanted Rose That Lasts forever.' Described as a 'gorgeous and unique collectible from Magic Princess Whitney,' hand-made in the USA--which should impress the president--it comes, assembled and complete with three AA batteries for a mere $109.99 + $35.94 shipping.
A real 'Beauty-and-the-Beast Magical Rose' that, it is claimed, will live for as long as three years without needing sunlight or water if they stay underneath a clear glass dome. According to the brand, says
The Mail on Sunday, the roses are 'one hundred percent natural' and are 'derived from the mineral rich volcanic soils of Ecuador in South America.' Well yes, and so are coca plants. For Brit believers in such prestidigitation, a single stem rose--available in 18 colours--starts from £225. You could have a two- to three-dozen rose bush garden for the same price.
According to
Cosmopolitan magazine, an Australian floral company has started making a rose arrangement entitled "A Lasting Belle." Available in red, white, rainbow, and three different metallic, My Lasting Bouquet's version of the enchanted rose coms in a "luxurious high-quality glass dome" and can survive "up to a year when there is no direct contact with sunlight, excessive heat, or moisture." No watering or additional maintenance is required. "My Lasting Bouquets roses are real roses that have been treated with special solution that stops the growth of the roses at their peak," the company's
website reads. "Our luxury roses maintain their soft touch and shape." The cost? $199. Do we detect glycerin?
