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...

The Poets Wife

This month we feature a newer English rose that will brighten up any garden and looks to be a welcome addition to the range of yellow roses in this category. ‘The Poets Wife’ has rich yellow cupped blooms which pale over time. Richly scented, the sweet scent has a hint of lemon.  Very healthy with glossy green foliage, it grows as a nicely rounded shrub of a medium height.  One to look out for, especially for those that are enthusiasts of … [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...]

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...]

January – Graham Thomas

This month in tribute to David Austin who passed away aged 92 in December, we feature, without doubt, the most well-known of all the many fine roses he has bred and graced the gardens of rose lovers around the world. ‘Graham Thomas’ is well known to all rose lovers for its deep golden yellow cupped blooms which appear in clusters all season long. Bring the inside to enjoy in a vase or leave for a great garden display. The fragrance, while not … [Read more...]

October – Thomas a Becket

Red is one of the most popular colours in roses and this month we feature a recent release English rose in this colour. ‘Thomas a Becket’ is named for Canterbury Cathedral in the UK and features clusters of rosette-shaped blooms, crimson red in colour with a moderate Old Rose scent. The plant is medium growing with a shrubby habit and has excellent disease tolerance. Bred by David Austin, this is a welcome addition to the range of red … [Read more...]

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...]