The New Zealand Rose Society

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Rose of the Month

Lilac Temptation

To end 2023, we feature one of the winners from the New Zealand Rose of the Year trials for 2023‘Lilac Temptation’ received the award for best climbing roses and is a welcome addition to the range of climbing roses in New Zealand. The nostalgic-shaped ruffled blooms are strongly scented and have a good repeat. A vigorous, healthy plant to 2.9 metres. Bred by Bob Matthews of Matthews Nurseries. Available from Matthews Nurseries and their … [Read more...]

Centurion

The colour red is one of the most popular, if not the most popular colour in roses and this month we feature one of the best new red coloured releases in recent times. ‘Centurion’ is a bush rose with large clusters of vibrant orange-red blooms that attract the bees. A good rose for picking, the flowers last well in a vase. A medium-growing compact plant with dark glossy foliage and good disease tolerance. Named for the 100th birthday in … [Read more...]

Amore® Eye Need You

One such variety is ‘Amore ® Eye Need You’ which unlike many Persica varieties is fully double with ruffled petals of blushing pink opening to reveal a raspberry red centre.  A good scent is an added bonus for this variety.  A short mounding grower to 85cm, it has dark green disease-tolerant foliage.  Also looks great as a short standard.Bred by Spek Rosen of the Netherlands and available from Amore Roses. Photo credit: Amore Roses … [Read more...]

Showpiece Blush

This month we feature another of the Showpiece series of roses, which have been developed by Reinhardt Noack, the same breeder as the Flower Carpet® series of roses. ‘Showpiece Blush’ features large soft pink blooms with an old-fashioned look; these can be enjoyed on the plant or brought inside for the vase.   A medium-growing plant to one metre high, ‘Showpiece Blush’ is easy to grow with lush mid-green foliage that is tolerant to … [Read more...]

Piece of Cake

Kordes of Germany are one of the leading rose breeders in the world with many well-known roses to their credit.One such rose is ‘Piece of Cake’ which in its native Germany, is known as ‘Kordes Jubilee’ as it named for Kordes 125th anniversary. The vanilla cream edged with pink blooms are large in size with old fashioned form. Lightly scented. A great rose for picking with long stems and great vase life.  Strong upright grower to 1.4 metres … [Read more...]

Otago University

Good yellow roses, especially those that can be picked are few and far between. For this month we feature a promising newer variety well worth growing. ‘Otago University’ has shapely warm yellow blooms produced mostly one to a stem, making it ideal for picking. A medium-growing bush with glossy mid-green foliage and good health. Slightly fragrant.  Named for the 150th anniversary of the University of Otago in 2019. Bred by Rob Somerfield … [Read more...]

STARLET ROSE® Melina®

Fragrant patio climbing roses are few and far between so this month we feature a recently released variety to New Zealand. STARLET ROSE® Melina® has clusters of quartered violet blooms fading to light blue as they age. Strongly scented, the perfume fills the air making this a good rose to plant where it can be enjoyed during summer. Free flowering, this is a healthy variety with medium green glossy foliage. A vigorous, yet compact grower to … [Read more...]

Snow Bunny

Kordes of Germany are among the most well-known and successful rose breeders in the world with many fabulous creations to their credit. Our featured rose this month is one of their new releases onto the New Zealand market.‘Snow Bunny’ smothers itself with clusters of petite snow-white blooms. The compact growing bushy plant is very health with mid green foliage. Growing to 90cm, it is ideal for smaller gardens, pots or grown as a small … [Read more...]

Attention Seeker

Every year rose lovers look forward to the new releases being launched. This month we feature one of the new releases for winter 2023. ‘Attention Seeker’ is well named with striking golden apricot blooms catching the eye in the garden. Produced in clusters, the blooms have a good scent to enjoy.A vigorous medium growing plant with healthy, medium green glossy foliage. Bred by Rob Somerfield, this was a Certificate of Merit winner at the New … [Read more...]

ROMANZA® Ascot

Hybrid Tea roses have traditionally been about perfectly formed blooms, often borne one to a stem.  In recent times, Hybrid Teas have developed more of a nostalgic shaped bloom, mainly as a result of using shrubs in their breeding to improve health. ‘ROMANZA® Ascot’ is one such Hybrid Tea that has been recently released in New Zealand. The ball shaped blooms are red shaded violet and purple and are produced in small clusters. Sweetly … [Read more...]