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...

Rose of the Month

Bee Scene

We all know bees are very important to our gardens and increasingly, roses are being promoted as bee friendly plants to grow. Once such variety as its name suggests is ‘Bee Scene’ which we are featuring this month. ‘Bee Scene’ has a stunning display of warm yellow blooms edged with coral, orange and pink which light up any garden. A robust grower with deep green glossy foliage, it is a very healthy variety. In the autumn, there is an added … [Read more...]

AMORÉ® Miriama Kamo

While plenty of bush roses have been introduced in the brown shades over the years, a climbing rose bearing such coloured blooms is certainly not common. This month's featured rose is a welcome addition to the range of climbing roses and is a great addition to the garden for someone looking for something different ‘AMORÉ® Miriama Kamo’ features blooms in shades of velvety dark brown mostly produced in clusters. Free flowering, the blooms have … [Read more...]

Honey Bun

The romantic or English type bloom form has become popular with rose breeders over many years as they look to make roses healthier by crossing shrub roses with Hybrid Tea and Floribunda roses. New Zealand breeders have jumped on this trend and this month we feature a new variety from Rob Somerfield featuring this type of flower form. ‘Honey Bun’ has large old fashioned style blooms in an attractive soft creamy peach hue which are produced … [Read more...]

Blue September

September is Prostate Cancer Awareness month so what better rose to feature than ‘Blue September’, a new release for 2024. ‘Blue September’ features clusters of fragrant lilac blue blooms, opening to reveal bee-friendly stamens. A medium growing plant with few thorns, this is an easy care variety suitable for all gardens. Bred by Bob Matthews, himself a prostate cancer survivor, $2 from the sale of each plant will be donated to the Prostate … [Read more...]

A Million Dreams

This month, we feature a new release from New Zealand rose breeder John Ford ‘A Million Dreams’ is a new Hybrid Tea rose with blooms of a unique dusky pink with blooms produced up to five per stems. There is a moderate fragrance to enjoy as well.  Compact growing with few thorns, it has glossy dark green foliage and good disease tolerance.  Available from Gilroy Nurseries … [Read more...]

DECORANZA® Francis Meilland

For a rose to be named after a member of the breeder’s family, it must an exceptional variety. This month’s feature rose is certainly one to watch for.  ‘DECORANZA® Francis Meilland’ is named after the creator of the ‘Peace’ rose and is a multiple award winner overseas.  The classically shaped blush pink blooms are strongly scented and great for picking. A taller grower to 1.2 metres with deep green foliage, it has very good disease … [Read more...]

Mulberry Wine

Rose trials, such as the New Zealand Rose Society International Trials in Palmerston North, are a great place to see the latest trends in roses. This month we feature the overall winner from the most recently concluded trial presented last November. ‘Mulberry Wine’ was a standout winner for breeder Rob Somerfield.  Masses of fragrant purple cerise blooms cover the medium growing, slightly spreading plant. Very healthy with rich glossy … [Read more...]

Allison Scott

Every now and again, a rose variety will produce a sport which is a naturally occurring change in a characteristic of that variety. This month’s featured rose is a sport from the very popular rose ‘My Mum’. ‘Allison Scott’ is named after a well-known Hutt Valley Rosarian who discovered this sport in her garden. With all the characteristics of ‘My Mum’ other than bloom colour, a glowing warm coral orange. Grows to 1.4 metres high with strong … [Read more...]

WONDER® Cream Passion

Climbing roses are a great way of adding vertical height and colour to your garden without taking up much ground space. This months featured rose is a new climbing rose that is being released for the first time this year. WONDER® Cream Passion has clusters of well-formed blooms that change from a pale yellow to a rich cream colour with a moderate scent.  Upright growing to 3 metres tall with dark green glossy foliage. An award winner … [Read more...]

In Friendship

Roses are often named for special occasions or to raise funds for various causes. This month’s featured rose has been named to mark the centenary of Inner Wheel, a voluntary service organisation for woman. ‘In Friendship’ has clusters of true red blooms on a bushy, healthy plant that grows to one metre.  A very free flowering variety, it will make a great display in any garden.  Bred by Bob Matthews, ‘In Friendship’ is only … [Read more...]