The New Zealand Rose Society

Join the New Zealand Rose Society to attend local rose meetings, rose shows, pruning demonstrations, rose trials, publications, rose of the month and more...

2013 NZRS Trial winners

New roses from New Zealand and overseas breeders lead the way with awards at the New Zealand International Rose Trials in Palmerston North in late November 2013. The trials, which are operated as a partnership between the New Zealand Rose Society (Inc) and the Palmerston North City Council, aim to trial un-released rose varieties from leading New Zealand and International rose breeders with the view to their possible release onto the local … [Read more...]

A legacy of roses

The latest issue of the Weekend Gardener magazine features old fashioned roses that are growing in Dunedin's Northern Cemetary where Heritage Roses Otago are involved in maintaining this important collection of roses. Find out the many reasons why you should be planting old roses in your garden. This issue is onsale now from all leading supermarkets, bookshops, newsagents, garden centres or subscribe to the Weekend Gardener magazine by calling … [Read more...]

Roses without sprays

The latest issue of the Weekend Gardener magazine features Hawkes Bay gardener Georgina Campbell and her thoughts on growing roses organically without the use of sprays. Her garden features over 2000 varieties of all types interplanted with other flowering plants. In the last two years, Georgina has been establishing a collection of roses from the McGredy rose breeding dynasty, including Dr Sam McGredy who moved to New Zealand from Ireland in … [Read more...]

Clean sweep of awards for NZ rose breeder

Tauranga rose breeder Rob Somerfield of Glenavon Roses swept all the awards from the recently announced New Zealand International Rose Trial Ground Awards in Palmerston North. This is the first time a rose breeder has won all the awards presented for a single trial and confirms Rob’s reputation as New Zealand’s leading rose breeder. The trials, which are operated as a partnership between the New Zealand Rose Society (Inc) and the Palmerston … [Read more...]

Rose Buying Guide

Most roses are bagged in black plastic bags by the garden centre for sale to the public. When choosing a bush look at: Sturdy canes Choose a rose with sturdy canes, three or four that are fresh looking, either green or red in colour. Avoid rips and slashes if possible. Be Picky Don’t be tempted to buy the last one of a variety. Often it will be a poor specimen. Sight the rose Buy a rose if you can that you have seen. Some retailers have … [Read more...]

Winter Rose Care

The spring blooms are a joy and an inspiration after the often-dreary winter. Time spent now will pay big dividends for the new season. The focus for these months is on the four P's ­preparation, purchasing, planting and pruning. PREPARATION: Any new beds should be prepared in April/May. Where drainage is not the best it is important to raise the beds - up to a foot if necessary. Raised beds are in fashion anyway and there are some nice … [Read more...]

A Rose to Suit Your Garden

You’ve decided to jazz up your garden with a few roses, so here are some suggestions… Now is the time to see, select and wait. Decide on a site, and the look you want to achieve. Be adventurous and use your imagination in your mix of colour, shape, perfume and beauty. Climbers can be trained along a fence. A standard rose looks great as a feature in a lawn. Plant several to screen a drive. Low-growing bush roses could line a path or the … [Read more...]

Enter a Rose Show Today

Rose Shows are a chance for growers to show off their prized roses. There are opportunities for experienced and novice exhibitors, including first time exhibitors. As well as roses, there are usually decorative and floral exhibits. Often a member of the public thinks to themselves as they are viewing the show exhibits "I have got a nicer one of that at home in the garden". It may very well be true, in which case the person might be … [Read more...]