Rose of the Month – Golden Gate Good yellow flowering climbing roses are few and far between so this month’s featured rose is a welcome addition to the range of climbing roses available in New Zealand. ‘Golden Gate’ features semi-double blooms of golden yellow that cover the plant with good repeat over the summer months. Even better, there is a good scent to the blooms to enjoy. Bred by Kordes of Germany who are known for creating super … [Read more...]
July – Eye in the Sky
The Persica or Hulthemia roses have recently made their mark in New Zealand with their distinct blooms, each with a darker ‘eye’ in the centre of the blooms. To date, these have been floribunda or shrub type roses but the rose we feature this month breaks the mould. ‘Eye in the Sky as the name suggests is a climber and climb it does but it is not too vigorous and takes over everything. The blooms are single, cream – apricot in colour with a … [Read more...]
June – Everlasting Hope
Many roses are named for good causes and this month’s featured rose has been named for a worthy cause worth supporting. ‘Everlasting Hope’ has been named for Postnatal Depression Canterbury by its breeder Rob Somerfield and is being released this winter to promote the amazing work they do. A shrub rose, ‘Everlasting Hope’ bears clusters of large blooms of soft pink, strongly scented. Long stems make this rose a good one for picking while … [Read more...]
April – Smart & Sassy
This month, we feature a new Bambina® rose from Canadian Rose Breeder Brad Jalbert that will attract attention in any garden. ‘Smart & Sassy’ has classic shaped blooms of velvet red with a golden reverse, which changes intensity with the weather. Blooms are mostly borne one to a stem on the bush that grows to 50cm high with glossy dark green foliage. A moderate sweet scent adds to the appeal of this variety. Looks good grown as a short … [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...]
Rose Trial Winners 2017
The awards for Trial 47 (2015 - 17) at the New Zealand Rose Society International Trials were presented on November 26th at the Dugald Mackenzie Rose Gardens in Palmerston North. It was a clean sweep for rose breeder Rob Somerfield of Glenavon Roses in Tauranga with all four awards presented on the day by the Mayor of Palmerston North, Grant Smith. A panel of 20 judges have assessed around 40 entries from New Zealand and overseas rose breeders … [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...]
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...]
January – Eye of the Tiger
We begin 2017 by featuring of the winners from the New Zealand Rose Society trials in Palmerston North last year whose novelty caught the eye of the judges. ‘Eye of the Tiger’ received the Nola Simpson Award for the most novel rose in the trials which run over two years. This variety is another of the Hulthemia or Persica roses that are characterised by a darker base to the petal giving the impression of an ‘eye’. In the case of ‘Eye of the … [Read more...]