Fragrant patio climbing roses are few and far between so this month we feature a recently released variety to New Zealand. STARLET ROSE® Melina® has clusters of quartered violet blooms fading to light blue as they age. Strongly scented, the perfume fills the air making this a good rose to plant where it can be enjoyed during summer. Free flowering, this is a healthy variety with medium green glossy foliage. A vigorous, yet compact grower to … [Read more...]
Auckland 2022 results
The 2022 National Spring Rose Show and Convention was held at the Mount Eden War Memorial Hall on November 19th and 20th 2022. Organised by the Auckland Rose Society, the theme of the show was 'All that Jazz' with the special; section classes set to this theme. Rosarians from around New Zealand brought their blooms to compete in the show across a wide range of classes. The show was officially opened by the Governor General of New Zealand, Dame … [Read more...]
New Zealand Rose Award 2022
The New Zealand Rose Society has much pleasure in announcing that Allison Scott, of the Hutt Valley Rose Society, is the recipient of the New Zealand Rose Award for 2022. Allison joined the Hutt Valley Rose Society in 1967 after buying a bundle of books at a school fair which contained a Rose Annual. In her 55 years of membership, Allison has never lost her love of the rose and is still active today in rose circles. She has been … [Read more...]
New Zealand rose breeder takes top award at rose trial
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...]
DECORANZA® Lotsa Love
Our feature rose for this month is a new release for 2022 that’s name just says it all. DECORANZA® Lotsa Love has well-formed blooms of warm cream to soft yellow with pink, peach and yellow highlights.The moderately scented blooms either come one to a stem or in small clusters and have potential for exhibition. A very healthy variety, the bush grows to 1.5 metres high and is covered in dark green foliage. Bred in Ireland by David … [Read more...]
Free Rose Pruning Demonstrations
Its almost 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 … [Read more...]
Green with Envy
Green is not a colour often associated with roses so this month’s featured rose has certainly created a lot of interest since its release last year. ‘Green with Envy’ is the culmination of 29 years of work by Rob Somerfield to create a green rose. The lime green blooms come in clusters on a medium-growing plant. The flowers will last for a long time, either on the bush or in a vase and intensifies with age. There is no scent but the novelty … [Read more...]
FLORANZA® Eye Popping
To start off 2022, we feature an award-winning rose from the latest round of results from the New Zealand Rose Society trials in Palmerston North. FLORANZA® Eye Popping is a very floriferous rose with masses of single blooms starting yellow and fading to white with a red/purple ‘eye’ to the blooms. At times, you can’t see the foliage by the sheer masse of blooms which repeat well throughout the summer and into autumn. A very … [Read more...]
New Zealand Rose Experts Guide launched
The New Zealand Rose Society has recently launched the New Zealand Rose Experts Guide which provides information on growing roses to those joining rose societies around New Zealand.“Since 1964, the New Zealand Rose Society has provided a free publication about all aspects of growing roses to new members” said Hayden Foulds, President of the New Zealand Rose Society and editor of the publication. “ The New Zealand Rose Experts Guide has been … [Read more...]
Pride of Palmy
November is the month when roses are at their best across much of New Zealand as they come into flower and is also the month when many rose shows occur (Covid permitting) and also trial results are announced from the New Zealand Rose Society International Trials in Palmerston North. ‘Pride of Palmy’ has been named to celebrate 50 years of the Palmerston North Rose Trials by its breeder Rob Somerfield of Glenavon Roses. The deep … [Read more...]