Good yellow roses, especially those that can be picked are few and far between. For this month we feature a promising newer variety well worth growing. ‘Otago University’ has shapely warm yellow blooms produced mostly one to a stem, making it ideal for picking. A medium-growing bush with glossy mid-green foliage and good health. Slightly fragrant. Named for the 150th anniversary of the University of Otago in 2019. Bred by Rob Somerfield … [Read more...]
Attention Seeker
Every year rose lovers look forward to the new releases being launched. This month we feature one of the new releases for winter 2023. ‘Attention Seeker’ is well named with striking golden apricot blooms catching the eye in the garden. Produced in clusters, the blooms have a good scent to enjoy.A vigorous medium growing plant with healthy, medium green glossy foliage. Bred by Rob Somerfield, this was a Certificate of Merit winner at the New … [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...]
Smart Choice
To finish off 2022, we feature another new release that will catch the eye in any garden. ‘Smart Choice’ has large fuchsia pink blooms with a lighter reverse to the petals, there is a moderate scent to enjoy. It is a good rose for picking with long stems and a good vase life. A medium, compact grower with good health. A Certificate of Merit winner in the NZRS Trials in Palmerston North in 2020, it is yet another stunning rose from New … [Read more...]
Grandma’s Rose
This month we feature a brand new release for spring 2022, numbers will be limited but will be more widely available in 2023. ‘Grandma’s Rose’ is bred by Rob Somerfield of Glenavon Roses and named by his children for their grandmother (Rob’s mother) as the bloom colour “is her colour”. The colour is a unique rich purple-red, quite unique and even better, the blooms are highly scented. Medium growing with dark green healthy glossy foliage. … [Read more...]
Inkspots
The Persica or Hulthemia roses have generated much interest in the rose world over recent years and this months featured rose is one developed right here in New Zealand. Bred by Rob Somerfield, ‘Inkspots’ covers itself in masses of white blooms with a burgundy centre. In full bloom, you can hardly see the foliage. The compact growing plant is very healthy with glossy dark green leaves. It looks great in any garden or pot and looks great … [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...]
Irish rose breeder takes top award at rose trial
Rose breeders from the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland dominated the awards presented at the trials with five of the six awards going to rose breeders in this part of the world. Amateur rose breeder David Kenny, a retired school teacher from Tullow took home the main awards with the variety ‘FLORANZA® Eye Popping won the Gold Star of the South Pacific for the highest scoring rose on trial and the Nola Simpson Novelty Award for the … [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...]
Truly Special
This month we feature a special rose that is great to give as a gift as well as to grow in your own garden. ‘Truly Special’ was presented by rose breeder Rob Somerfield to his parents on the occasion of his parents 60th wedding anniversary. The blooms have an old fashioned form and are rose pink with a slight warm glow to the centre of the blooms. A strong scent adds to the appeal of this variety. A small growing rose to 80cam … [Read more...]
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