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...]
Breeding Chocolate Brown Roses
Extract from an article by Nola Simpson and John Ford Read the full article in New Zealand Rose Annual 2006 Over the centuries in the search for perfection mankind has manipulated the genus Rosa to considerable effect. In the process a wide diversity of fascinating and useful plants has been brought forth. From nature's original pure species roses of shape, form, floriferousness, colour and different growth habits have all combined to provide … [Read more...]