The New Zealand Rose Society

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Rose of the Month

December – Everlasting Hope

This month we feature the winner of the New Zealand Rose of the Year competition where the public gets to vote for the best rose on show at Rogers Rose Garden in Hamilton. It also won the award for best New Zealand raised rose and the best shrub rose. ‘Everlasting Hope’ has been named for Postnatal Depression Canterbury for the amazing work they do by breeder Rob Somerfield.  The blooms are soft to medium pink with a gorgeous perfume which … [Read more...]

November – Sweet Romanza

November is when roses are at their peak flowering in New Zealand and it is always good to see what newer roses look like when they begin blooming. This month we feature a newer variety with lots of promise. ‘Sweet Romanza’ is from Dutch breeders Spek and has blooms of white with the faintest tinge of pink to the blooms, moderately scented with a tea rose scent. It is super healthy with dark green glossy foliage.  Grows to 1.2 metres and is an … [Read more...]

October – Hamilton Gardens

This month we feature the very last rose to be released by the late Sam McGredy who passed away on August 25th in Auckland. Discovered as a naturally occurring sport or mutation of the popular McGredy rose ‘Paddy Stephens’, it shares many of its attributes including fantastic disease tolerance, long stems ideal for picking and well formed blooms. The only difference is the colour which is an appealing blend of apricot, pink and cream. Should … [Read more...]

September – Christophe

After the dullness of winter, we’re featuring a rose that brightens things up as we head into spring. ‘Christophe’ is a floribunda rose with clusters of bright tangerine orange blooms - a real stand out colour in the garden. There is only a light scent to enjoy but the real stand out is the colour. A taller grower with mid-green foliage, this is one for the back of the border. Bred by Colin Dickson of Northern Ireland, it received a … [Read more...]

Wollerton Old Hall

This month we feature a recent English rose to be released in New Zealand and is proving to be a worthy addition to the range of English roses available here ‘Wollerton Old Hall’ is a large shrub that is perhaps best grown as a climber under New Zealand conditions. Quick to repeat, the blooms are produced in clusters and open apricot, turning cream as they age.  Strongly scented, it is a welcome addition to the range of English roses in this … [Read more...]

July – Tropical Essence

We haven’t featured a climbing rose for a while now so this months featured rose is a welcome addition to the range of climbing roses grown in New Zealand. ‘Tropical Essence’ produces well-formed blooms of peach on long stems which makes it great for picking. Even better, the sweet tropical fragrance will be appreciated by those who love a scented rose. A compact growing climber so ideal for smaller spaces, it clothes itself in dark, glossy … [Read more...]

Floranza (R) George Best

This month, we feature a promising new miniature type rose that has been recently released in New Zealand. Floranza ® George Best has large clusters of small to medium sized dark red blooms and is a welcome addition to the stable of red flowering miniature type roses grown in this country.  Very eye – catching in full bloom, the short, bushy growing plant is very healthy with glossy green foliage. Bred by Colin Dickson of Northern Ireland … [Read more...]

May – Berry Nice

This month we feature one of the new releases in the ‘My Rose Collection’ series bred by well-known rose breeder Bob Matthews of Matthews Nurseries Ltd, Wanganui ‘Berry Nice’ produces blooms of berry-magenta shade that cover the bushy, compact growing plant. Very quick to repeat so will provide a great display of colour in the garden.  Super easy to grow, the glossy green foliage is super healthy and will thrive under a no-spray … [Read more...]

April – Olivia Rose Austin

This month we feature one of the new David Austin roses making their way onto the New Zealand market this winter and one named for a member of the Austin family. ‘Olivia Rose Austin’ is named for the granddaughter of David Austin Senior who passed away at the end of last year. It features cupped rosettes of mid pink that are produced throughout the growing season. There is a light to medium fruity scent to the blooms which are shown off … [Read more...]

March – Feeling Better

Over the coming months, we’ll be profiling some of the newer roses coming onto the market in winter 2019 and this month’s rose is one named for a good cause. ‘Feeling Better’ has been bred by Rob Somerfield and is a follow up to his successful ‘Looking Good’, both of which have been named for the Look Good, Feel Better Foundation to highlight their fantastic work done with post-cancer treatment. The blooms are soft cream with a thin … [Read more...]