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

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...]

September – Pamela Bartrum

This month, we feature a rose named for a well-known South Canterbury rosarian which deserves to be more widely grown around New Zealand. ‘Pamela Bartrum’ is a floribunda with blooms of soft salmon pink, large in size for this type of rose with a moderate fruity scent.  A short to medium grower in the garden, this variety has healthy, glossy foliage and is very quick to repeat flower so it is almost never without blooms. Bred by George and … [Read more...]

August – Fireball

This month we feature a rose guaranteed to light up any garden this coming season. ‘Fireball’ is a new release floribunda with masses of orange blooms with a silvery – yellow centre and reverse to the petals. The blooms are lightly fragrant and it is a free flowering variety, with quick repeat during the summer months. A medium, bushy grower with glossy green foliage, ‘Fireball will be a great colourful addition to any garden. Bred by Rob … [Read more...]

July – Nostalgia

This month, we feature a newer rose from one of the world’s leading rose breeders that deserves to be more widely grown. ‘Nostalgia’ comes from Tantau of Germany, known for breeding healthy, tough roses and this one is no different. Very glossy, dark green foliage compliments the creamy white blooms which are edged cherry red. Moderately scented, this variety has plenty of blooms in clusters over the flowering season and is a welcome addition … [Read more...]

June – Platinum

70 years in business is a milestone worth celebrating and in 2017, Matthews Nurseries near Wanganui does just that. This month’s featured rose is a new release Hybrid Tea rose bred by Bob Matthews to mark this occasion. ‘Platinum’ has large cupped shaped blooms of soft pink, sweetly scented on long, strong stems ideal for picking.  The glossy dark green foliage compliments the blooms well and the plant grows to around 1.1 metres. A winner … [Read more...]