The New Zealand Rose Society

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Rose of the Month

Smitten

Our featured rose this month is a charmer and very well named recent release from New Zealand rose breeder Rob Somerfield. ‘Smitten’ bears blooms of cream and shell pink, with the reverse of the petals a deeper pink. The clusters of blooms are set against healthy, dark green foliage. An upright growing plant to one metre high. Winner of a Certificate of Merit at the NZRS trials in 2022. Available from resellers of Glenavon Roses … [Read more...]

Crimson Siluetta

February is of course Valentine’s Day and this months featured rose is a welcome addition to the range of climbing roses‘Crimson Siluetta’ is one of the Siluetta range of climbers from Kordes of Germany. These are ideal for growing in smaller areas. Clusters of small rich red blooms cover the healthy plant with dark green healthy foliage. The soft canes can be easily trained on a pillar, obelisk or archway. Height 2.5 metres. Available as a … [Read more...]

‘AMORÉ® Irish Sunset’

We start 2026 by featuring one of the winners from the latest presentation of award winners from the New Zealand Rose Society International Rose Trials in Palmerston North. ‘AMORÉ® Irish Sunset’ not only won a Certificate of Merit, but also the Nola Simpson Novelty Award for the most novel rose in trial. What makes this novel is that it is a climbing Persica rose with semi double blooms of golden yellow with a bright ‘red’eye. Very attractive … [Read more...]

FLORANZA® Missy

This month we feature a new pink rose that just says “Look at me” everytime  its flowering in the garden. FLORANZA® Missy featured glowing frilly pink blooms, light to moderately scented with a sweet lemon tea scent.  Great in the garden or pots where the ruffled blooms continue to be produced all season long. A very healthy variety that will grow to 80-100cm.  Bred by Spek Rozen of the Netherlands, this is a great new pink … [Read more...]

Phoenix

Kordes Rosen of Germany is one of the leading rose breeders of the world with many awards to their credit. This month’s featured rose, a new release for winter 2025 is a multiple award winner including here in New Zealand. ‘Phoenix’ has clusters of warm orange blooms all season long. Makes for a great display in the garden with an even, compact growth habit and great health. Dark green, glossy foliage compliment the blooms well. Winner of … [Read more...]

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...]