New Zealand rose breeder Bob Matthews has taken out the top award at the New Zealand Rose Society International Rose Trial Grounds in Palmerston North in late November. Mr Matthews variety, named ‘Allison Scott’ for a prominent rosarian won the Gold Star of the South Pacific for the highest scoring rose on trial. The success of the orange flowering variety caps off a year of celebrations for the Matthews family as they celebrate 75 years of … [Read more...]
A Gardeners Dream
To kick off 2023, we feature a welcome addition to the apricot coloured roses available. ‘A Gardeners Dream’ produces clusters of ruffled apricot blooms with the added bonus of a scent to enjoy. A low to medium growing plant, it is an easy care variety and looks especially stunning growing in groups. One of the ‘My Rose’ series bred by Bob Matthews, this rose was named for Wanganui Garden Centre who celebrated 75 years in business in 2022 … [Read more...]
Wish Come True
This month we feature one of the new releases for winter 2022 that has been named to celebrate 75 years of Matthews Nurseries Ltd in 2022. It is also part of the My Rose Collection. ‘Wish Come True’ features cupped blooms of soft lemon to cream. An added bonus is there is a refreshing scent. A medium-growing plant with excellent health, there are plenty of blooms to enjoy throughout the summer months. Bred by Bob Matthews who has bred … [Read more...]
Legend
Of all the different types of roses, the Hybrid Teas are what people often associate roses as being – large, well-formed blooms with scent being a desirable bonus. ‘Legend’ is one of the best Hybrid Teas to be released in recent years and should appeal to those who like to pick flowers from their garden. The large honey apricot blooms are richly scented and repeat well. The healthy plant grows to 1.1 metres high so is ideal for any garden, … [Read more...]
Pink Ribbon
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and what better rose to feature than the newly released rose ‘Pink Ribbon’ ‘Pink Ribbon’ is a stunning free flowering rose with masses of soft pink cupped blooms covering the compact, bushy growing plant. An ideal rose for a pot or to grow in the garden. It looks especially stunning planted in large groups and is also good as a standard. Bred by Bob Matthews of Matthews Nurseries, $2 from the sale of … [Read more...]
Valerie Webster
For the first month of 2021, we feature one of the winners from the NZRS International Rose Trials in Palmerston North which were announced at the end of November. Clusters of pure yellow blooms, lightly scented feature on a very healthy, medium growing plant with glossy green foliage. Named in celebration of Zonta International’s Centennial year in 2019 and for their beloved past Governor Valerie Webster. Presented with a Certificate of Merit … [Read more...]
My Best Mate
This month we feature a new release for winter 2020 that would make a great gift for your best mate. ‘My Best Mate’ has clusters of rich red blooms set against glossy green foliage. An easy to grow rose that will reward even the most novice gardener with lots of blooms and great disease tolerance. No scent. Bred by Bob Matthews of Matthews Nurseries Ltd, Wanganui, this is the latest addition to the My Rose Collection. Available from … [Read more...]
Rosy success at International Rose Trials
A rose named for the breeder’s mother topped the list of awards presented at the New Zealand Rose Society International Rose Trial Grounds in Palmerston North in early December. Tauranga Rose Breeder Rob Somerfield from Glenavon Roses topped the trials with his variety ‘Grandma’s Rose’ which won the Gold Star of the South Pacific. “The name is a tribute to my mother from her grandchildren, they felt it was her colour” said Rob Somerfield … [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...]
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...]