Finding the Perfect Rose

How to Find that Perfect Rose

by Diane Brueckman

You may wonder what happened to the All American Rose Selections (AARS). The American Rose industry gave the award to the roses voted the best in trials across the country from 1940 to 2013. The AARS award was the most prestigious award given to outstanding roses in the United States. As a former judge for the AARS, I had some misgivings about the results of the trials. The roses selected were judged more heavily on the beauty of the bloom with little weight given to disease resistance and vigor. Another problem was the scores were averaged and no account was given for different growing conditions across the country. Care of the roses varied in the different test gardens. The final problem was treating for disease which did not allow judges to see how the roses resisted diseases without help from fungicides. The big growers in Europe were way ahead of the American rose industry in breeding for disease resistance and hardiness. In particular Kordes started trialing their roses with no fungicides in the 90s. Many of the Kordes and Meilland (French breeder) roses are beautiful, hardy and very disease resistant. When looking for roses for your garden check the tag or look them up look for KOR for Kordes or MEI for Meilland at the beginning of the official name. For example, ‘MEIludere’ is ‘Mother of Pearl’ an older but very strong Meilland Rose. In 2012 at the meeting of the Great Rosarians of the World, the

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idea for American Garden Rose Selections™ or AGRStm was conceived. The organization is overseen by internationally known rose experts who determine the criteria for judging the roses. AGRS™ is modeled after the ADR (Allgemeine Deutsche Rosenneuheiten-prufung (Performing Testing of New Rose Varieties in Germany), a very well-respected group in the rose industry. The trials are held in independent botanic gardens across the country where the roses are judged three times a year, first and foremost for health, vigor and fragrance. At the end of two years, recommendations are made and awards given. Look for the logo on plant labels for AGRS™ winners. American Rose Trials for Sustainability® (A.R.T.S.) is an organization that puts weight on regional sustainability. Again, the roses are tested with no pesticides and no deadheading. The country is divided into regions based on climate conditions. Strict protocols are followed on fertilizing, watering and, of course, no spraying. Beauty and fragrance are judged as well as diseaseresistance. The roses tested are judged every month on their performance in each region. If the roses perform well in only one region, they are awarded the Local Artists Award. Roses that perform well in four or more regions are awarded the Master Rose Award. Look for the logo of A.R.T.S. on the plant label. There are other ways to look for great garden roses. Proven Winners is a marketing company. They put their name on plants they have sought out and trialed for three years. The criteria for a Proven Winner plant include sustainability and beauty as well as ease of care. Many of their roses come from breeders like David Zlesak, professor of horticulture at Wisconsin University River Falls, who has developed many disease-resistant roses. Zlesak is responsible for the OSO Easy Roses, many new polyantha roses and more. In conclusion, though we miss AARS winners, there are many ways to find great roses for our gardens that require less time and money to keep them looking great. I no longer have my large rose garden but I do have some Kordes, Meilland and Proven winners that have taken abuse from our move and are coming along just fine.

IS FOR PLANTING

Diane Brueckman is a retired rosarian with Missouri Botanical Garden, and currently owns Rosey Acres in Baldwin, Illinois. You can reach her at (618) 785-3011 or droseyacres@ egyptian.net.