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

Endless Summer

As we head towards summer, we will be anticipating the first blooms on new varieties that will be flowering for the first time.One new variety to look out for is ‘Endless Summer’ bred by Rob Somerfield of New Zealand. ‘Endless Summer’ features classically formed blooms of yellow that hold their colour well. Great for picking with long stems. A vigourous, healthy growing rose to 1.5 metres high.  Available from resellers of Glenavon … [Read more...]

Phlox Meidiland®

This month we feature a new release rose from one of the oldest and leading rose breeding families in the world with a history stretching back to 1850.Phlox Meidiland® from Meilland of France is a very healthy rounded shrub with masses of single rose pink blooms with a white centre. There is a medium sweet old fashioned rose scent to please those who love fragrant roses. Grows to one metre high. A Certificate of Merit winner at the NZRS trials … [Read more...]

Twinkle

This month we feature a very easy care new rose that will twinkle in any garden.‘Twinkle’ features a mass of petite white blooms that smother the compact, bushy plants. The lightly scented blooms feature golden yellow stamens which are attractive to the bees.  A great landscaping variety with very healthy deep green foliage.  Bred by Bob Matthews and available as a bush or standard from Matthews Nurseries and their … [Read more...]

Old Friends

Our featured rose this month is another new release and one to plant to remember friends from years gone past. ‘Old Friends’ features masses of blooms, larger in size with creamy petals surrounding the lemon centre. The blooms are lightly scented and create an outstanding display.  Winner of a Certificate of Merit at the New Zealand Rose Society trials in Palmerston North 2019. Bred by Rob Somerfield and available from resellers of … [Read more...]

ROMANZA® Starshine

Yellow always brightens up the garden and our featured rose this month certainly will. ROMANZA® Starshine has almost fluorescent yellow blooms borne in clusters.  The blooms have a romantic old fashioned form to them and are lightly scented. A taller upright growing plant with great health.  Multi award winner overseas. Bred by Jérôme Rateau / Roses Anciennes André Eve, France. It is a very welcome addition to the yellow … [Read more...]

Aroha

Everyone loves a red rose and this month we feature one to look out for as a new release for winter 2025. ‘Aroha’ starts with the most amazing bud form, opening to cherry red blooms that are great for picking.  Good repeat bloom on a healthy plant with deep glossy foliage. Grows to 1.2 metres high. Bred by Bob Matthews of Matthews Nurseries Ltd, Whanganui. Available from Matthews Nurseries www.matthewsroses.co.nz or their resellers as … [Read more...]

Ginger Crunch

This month we feature a new release for winter 2025 which is in a colour shade popular at the moment. ‘Ginger Crunch’ has masses of striking and unique burnt orange/terracotta colour blooms. It makes a great display in any garden and bees are also attracted to this variety. A medium bushy grower to 1.2 metres, it is very healthy. Bred by Rob Somerfield and a winner of a Certificate of Merit at the 2023 NZRS Trial Ground awards in Palmerston … [Read more...]

Adorable

Purple is a colour that seems to be either liked or loathed by rose lovers but our featured roses is one that could tempt anyone to grow it in their garden. ‘Adorable’ features purple blooms which are produced on an upright bushy medium plant to 1.4 metres.  There is a very strong rich perfume, perhaps the best feature of this rose which makes it appealing to anyone who loves a scented rose. Bred by Kordes of Germany who are known for … [Read more...]

Spellbound

We feature this month a welcome addition to the range of yellow flowering climbing roses. ‘Spellbound’ covers itself in medium yellow blooms. The colour is pretty stable for a yellow rose and the petals drop cleanly, essential for a good climbing rose. The blooms are set against glossy foliage on a vigourous but not rampant plant. Excellent disease resistance makes this a great rose to grow along a fence, up a pergola or over an … [Read more...]

AMORÉ® Our Anniversary

We start 2025 with a newer rose that would make the perfect gift to mark a special occasion. ‘AMORÉ® Our Anniversary’ features deep velvety burgundy blooms that cover a compact growing plant. Super healthy with shiny deep green foliage. For those who love fragrance, this one is highly fragrant. Perfect for smaller gardens or growing in containers as it reaches 50 – 80cm high.  Bred by Brad Jalbert of Canada, ‘AMORÉ® Our Anniversary’ … [Read more...]