European Rose Breeders swept the 2024 awards at the New Zealand Rose Society International Rose Trials in Palmerston North. Kordes Rosen of Germany claimed the top award of the trials, the Gold Star of the South Pacific with the orange flowering ‘Phoenix’.Kordes Rosen also won a Certificate of Merit for the red ‘Marondo’. Both varieties were entered into the trials by Matthews Nurseries Ltd of Whanganui. Other Certificates of Merit were … [Read more...]
Bee Scene
We all know bees are very important to our gardens and increasingly, roses are being promoted as bee friendly plants to grow. Once such variety as its name suggests is ‘Bee Scene’ which we are featuring this month. ‘Bee Scene’ has a stunning display of warm yellow blooms edged with coral, orange and pink which light up any garden. A robust grower with deep green glossy foliage, it is a very healthy variety. In the autumn, there is an added … [Read more...]
AMORÉ® Miriama Kamo
While plenty of bush roses have been introduced in the brown shades over the years, a climbing rose bearing such coloured blooms is certainly not common. This month's featured rose is a welcome addition to the range of climbing roses and is a great addition to the garden for someone looking for something different ‘AMORÉ® Miriama Kamo’ features blooms in shades of velvety dark brown mostly produced in clusters. Free flowering, the blooms have … [Read more...]
2024 Rose Shows
From late October through to early December is the time for rose shows and displays throughout New Zealand. Rose enthusiasts look forward to this time of the year as they show off their blooms to fellow rose lovers. There are a wide range of classes in which roses are entered from the more formal 'one bloom per vase' through to novelty classes where imaginations can run wild around various themes. No matter what your preference is, there is … [Read more...]
Honey Bun
The romantic or English type bloom form has become popular with rose breeders over many years as they look to make roses healthier by crossing shrub roses with Hybrid Tea and Floribunda roses. New Zealand breeders have jumped on this trend and this month we feature a new variety from Rob Somerfield featuring this type of flower form. ‘Honey Bun’ has large old fashioned style blooms in an attractive soft creamy peach hue which are produced … [Read more...]
Blue September
September is Prostate Cancer Awareness month so what better rose to feature than ‘Blue September’, a new release for 2024. ‘Blue September’ features clusters of fragrant lilac blue blooms, opening to reveal bee-friendly stamens. A medium growing plant with few thorns, this is an easy care variety suitable for all gardens. Bred by Bob Matthews, himself a prostate cancer survivor, $2 from the sale of each plant will be donated to the Prostate … [Read more...]
A Million Dreams
This month, we feature a new release from New Zealand rose breeder John Ford ‘A Million Dreams’ is a new Hybrid Tea rose with blooms of a unique dusky pink with blooms produced up to five per stems. There is a moderate fragrance to enjoy as well. Compact growing with few thorns, it has glossy dark green foliage and good disease tolerance. Available from Gilroy Nurseries … [Read more...]
DECORANZA® Francis Meilland
For a rose to be named after a member of the breeder’s family, it must an exceptional variety. This month’s feature rose is certainly one to watch for. ‘DECORANZA® Francis Meilland’ is named after the creator of the ‘Peace’ rose and is a multiple award winner overseas. The classically shaped blush pink blooms are strongly scented and great for picking. A taller grower to 1.2 metres with deep green foliage, it has very good disease … [Read more...]
Life membership
Waikato rosarian Janet Pike was presented with life membership of the New Zealand Rose Society at its recent Annual General Meeting in Christchurch. Janet joined the Waikato Rose Society in 1978 and continues to be an active member to the present day, currently serving as their President. The Frank Penn Memorial Award for service to a district rose society was presented to Janet in 2018. In 2013, Janet was elected to the New Zealand … [Read more...]
Free Rose Pruning Demonstrations
It's rose pruning time in New Zealand so its time to think about pruning yours – roses are usually pruned between late June and mid August depending on where you live. Despite what is often said or written about rose pruning being difficult, it is actually very easy provided a few basic principles are followed. If you are not sure on what to do with your roses, one of the best ways to learn is to attend a pruning demonstration that many rose … [Read more...]