Hybrid Tea roses have traditionally been about perfectly formed blooms, often borne one to a stem. In recent times, Hybrid Teas have developed more of a nostalgic shaped bloom, mainly as a result of using shrubs in their breeding to improve health. ‘ROMANZA® Ascot’ is one such Hybrid Tea that has been recently released in New Zealand. The ball shaped blooms are red shaded violet and purple and are produced in small clusters. Sweetly … [Read more...]
Mary Ann
This month we feature a newer release with an old-fashioned look that seems to be one of the trends in rose breeding at the moment. ‘Mary Ann’ is a compact growing bush rose with clusters of large, cupped shaped quartered blooms of orange to apricot depending on the weather. Moderately scented, the blooms are also good for picking. A compact, medium growing plant with dark green ribbed foliage, it also has good health. Bred by Tantau of … [Read more...]
December – St Margaret’s Gold
Every now and again, a rose variety will produce a sport which is a naturally occurring change in a certain characteristic of the variety. Sports are often propagated and if worthy enough, become a new variety on the market. Probably the most common type of ‘sporting’ is a change in flower colour and ths month, we feature a rose that ‘St Margaret’s Gold’ is a sport of the popular ‘Hayley Westenra’ and shares all its characteristics except … [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...]