Rose of the Month

July – Eye in the Sky

The Persica or Hulthemia roses have recently made their mark in New Zealand with their distinct blooms, each with a darker ‘eye’ in the centre of the blooms. To date, these have been floribunda or shrub type roses but the rose we feature this month breaks the mould. ‘Eye in the Sky as the name suggests is a climber and climb it does but it is not too vigorous and takes over everything. The blooms are single, cream – apricot in colour with a … [Read more...]

June – Everlasting Hope

Many roses are named for good causes and this month’s featured rose has been named for a worthy cause worth supporting. ‘Everlasting Hope’ has been named for Postnatal Depression Canterbury by its breeder Rob Somerfield and is being released this winter to promote the amazing work they do. A shrub rose, ‘Everlasting Hope’ bears clusters of large blooms of soft pink, strongly scented. Long stems make this rose a good one for picking while … [Read more...]

May – Wedding Celebration

May is Royal Wedding month and what better way to celebrate than with a rose with a wedding theme ‘Wedding Celebration’ features large blooms of dark red, fully double with a pleasing perfume borne mostly solitary on long stems. A good variety for picking. Tall growing with glossy dark green foliage and has good health. Bred by Poulsens of Denmark, this variety has a name that is bound to sell it as a wedding gift and is a welcome addition … [Read more...]

April – Smart & Sassy

This month, we feature a new Bambina® rose from Canadian Rose Breeder Brad Jalbert that will attract attention in any garden. ‘Smart & Sassy’ has classic shaped blooms of velvet red with a golden reverse, which changes intensity with the weather. Blooms are mostly borne one to a stem on the bush that grows to 50cm high with glossy dark green foliage. A moderate sweet scent adds to the appeal of this variety. Looks good grown as a short … [Read more...]

March – The Lady Gardener

The David Austin or English roses have been popular with rose lovers in New Zealand since the first varieties were introduced over 30 years ago. This month, we feature one of the new introductions coming onto the market in winter 2018. ‘The Lady Gardener’ has large, full petalled blooms of a stunning rich apricot that pales towards the edges of the bloom. Strongly scented with a tea-vanilla scent. A bushy, medium growing plant with good … [Read more...]

February – Kiss the Bride

February is, of course, the month of Valentine’s Day (14th in case anyone has forgotten) and although our Rose of the Month is not red, it does have a romantic name. ‘Kiss the Bride’ is a newer variety with clusters of cream to pale pink blooms, lightly scented and opening to reveal golden yellow stamens. A tall grower with very healthy mid-green foliage, this variety is a great addition to any garden. A Certificate of Merit winner at the … [Read more...]

January – Quintessential

We begin 2018 by featuring a promising new rose variety that will be released this winter in New Zealand. ‘Quintessential’ comes from the breeding program of Rob Somerfield and combines his signature traits of lots of flowers and exceptional health. The medium pink blooms have a lighter reverse to the petals and as they are packed with petals, they have an old fashioned appearance and are lightly scented. A medium, bushy grower with dark … [Read more...]

December – St Margaret’s Gold

Every now and again, a rose variety will produce a sport which is a naturally occurring change in a certain characteristic of the variety. Sports are often propagated and if worthy enough, become a new variety on the market. Probably the most common type of ‘sporting’ is a change in flower colour and ths month, we feature a rose that ‘St Margaret’s Gold’ is a sport of the popular ‘Hayley Westenra’ and shares all its characteristics except … [Read more...]

November – Sweet Spot Calypso

This month we feature a rose from the new category of Decorator Roses which are available in New Zealand for the first time. ‘Sweetspot® Calypso’ is an eyecatching rose with masses of single blooms of pinkish red and yellow with a pink/red spot in the centre of each petal. The blooms have a moderate scent and are produced freely from mid-spring until late autumn. A compact growing plant to 60cm x 60cm with dark green foliage, it is ideal for … [Read more...]

October – William McCarthy

This month, we feature a new release rose which has much promise as an all-around performer in any garden. ‘William McCarthy’ is a prolific flowerer with clusters of clear silver – pink blooms, cupped shape in form with a mild scent. This is a rose that will fit into any garden situation with its compact, rounded habit from being grown in a container in a small garden through to mass plantings in larger areas. Very healthy with glossy medium … [Read more...]