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...

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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...]

Tagged With: 2021, Bob Matthews, disease tolerance, floribunda rose, Matthews Nurseries, NZRS trials, Rose of the Month

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...]

Tagged With: 2020, Bob Matthews, floribunda rose, Rose of the Month

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...]

Tagged With: 2019, Bob Matthews, Brad Jalbert, Certificate of Merit, floribunda rose, Gold Star, Hybrid Tea rose, Manawatu, NZRS trials, Rob Somerfield

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...]

Tagged With: 2019, Bob Matthews, Floribunda, Matthews Nurseries, No spray, Rose of the Month

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...]

Tagged With: 2018, Bob Matthews, Certificate of Merit, disease tolerance, floribunda rose, fragrance, NZRS trials

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...]

Tagged With: 2017, 70 years, Bob Matthews, Certificate of Merit, Hybrid Tea rose, Matthews Nurseries, NZRS trials, Rose of the Month

Rose Trial winners 2016

The awards for Trial 46 (2014 - 16) at the New Zealand Rose Society International Trials were presented on December 4th at the Dugald Mackenzie Rose Gardens in Palmerston North. A panel of 20 judges have  assessed around 40 entries from New Zealand and overseas rose breeders (via their New Zealand agents) over a range of categories including freedom of flowering, health, plant quality, flower quality and fragrance. Certificates of Merit are … [Read more...]

Tagged With: 2016, Bob Matthews, Certificate of Merit, Chris Warner, disease tolerance, floribunda rose, Gold Star, New Zealand Rose Society, NZRS trials, palmerston north gardens, Rob Somerfield

Free flowering, healthy roses feature among winning roses

New rose varieties that produce lots of flowers and get less disease topped the New Zealand Rose Society International Trial Awards in Palmerston North in early December with an orange rose ‘Fireball’ coming out on top. Bred by Rob Somerfield of Glenavon Roses in Tauranga, ‘Fireball’ received the top award of the trials, the Gold Star of the South Pacific. “It’s a great variety with lots of flowers and a very healthy plant” said Mr Somerfield … [Read more...]

Tagged With: 2015, Bob Matthews, Certificate of Merit, Colin Dickson, Gold Star, New Zealand Rose Society, NZRS trials, Palmerston North, Rob Somerfield

August – Anniversary

While pale pink is a fairly common colour in floribunda's, this month’s featured rose is one of the better ones in the colour range to be released in the last 20 years. ‘Anniversary’ is a seedling of the popular ‘Sexy Rexy’ and carries many of its attributes, most of all its ability to produce masses of blooms. The porcelain pink blooms come in small and large clusters throughout the season. At times, it is hard to see the dark green glossy … [Read more...]

Tagged With: 2015, Bob Matthews, floribunda rose, Gold Star, Matthews Nurseries, NZRS trials, Rose of the Month

November – Gisborne 2000

  Around the year 2000, several roses came onto the market celebrating the year 2000 around New Zealand. … [Read more...]

Tagged With: 2011, Bob Matthews, Hybrid Tea rose, Rose of the Month, spring rose show

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Rose Events

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