The American Rose Center International Rose Trials are an important feature at The Gardens. The Trials were established in 2019 and approved by the World Federation of Rose Societies in 2023. The Trials are open to all professional and amateur breeders across the world with the distinct purpose of evaluating the performance of varieties in Zone 8 growing conditions and comparing the growth and flowering characteristics with similar new introductions provided by breeders. The Trials are conducted under the guidelines set forth by the World Federation of Rose Societies. “New Garden Rose Varieties” is defined as those rose varieties which have been put into commerce no longer than two years prior to the commencement of the Trials. “Commencement” is defined as January 1 of the calendar year the roses are planted in the trials’ beds.
The American Rose Center initiated its Rose Trials in 2019 as a goal of the Garden’s Master Plan and the Great Garden Restoration Project. The site of the Trials’ Grounds is the magnificent Windsounds Carillon Tower, a 30’ tall sculpture within the grounds of America’s Rose Garden.
Roses are cared for in accordance with modern methods of garden culture using environmentally friendly products, and judged not only for the beauty of the flower but equally for their disease resistance, fragrance and overall aesthetic plant appearance.
A Permanent Jury of regional specialists presided by the Judging Chairperson judge the plants five times per year on or near these times:
The evaluation of roses is the responsibility of a panel of permanent judges – with no fewer than 5 for each assessment. All judges are appointed by the International Judging Chair, in consult with the International Trials Director and represent a wide spectrum of rose knowledge. Any individual with any interest in or contact with any entry may not participate in the evaluation of the entry.
Judges follow a prescribed process and undertake the judging within a designated 7 day period. Evaluation figures are compiled by the International Rose Trials Judging Chair and are kept confidential until the Presentation of Awards Ceremony.
General Impression – 30 Points
Flower – 30 Points
Disease Resistance – 30 Points
Fragrance – 10 Points
A minimum of a 65% assessment is required for all high awards
The breeder is Dr. David Zlesak and the rose will be introduced this fall by High Country Roses. Double-cupped blooms in shades of cream edged in warm pink grace this well-branched, mounded miniature. Named in honor of a late American Rose Society member. ‘David Booty’ also won the Dr. Jim Hering Award for the Best Miniature Rose and The American Rose Center People’s Choice Award.
The breeder is Ping Lim and the rose will be introduced by Altman Roses. ‘Fine Gold’ features creamy white-edged petals with a rich yellow center, producing blooms with up to 45+ petals and size up to 3.5 inches in diameter. It carries a sweet, rosy fragrance and grows to about 4 feet tall with a compact, upright hybrid tea (HT) habit.
Volunteers of America’s Rose Garden Award for Best Shrub-Groundcover is ‘Forever & Ever® Pink’, bred by Christian Bedard and introduced by Weeks Roses. The rose has deep pink petals with a rich tea fragrance and is excellent for borders and mass plantings.
Bred by Dr. David Zlesak. Abundant clusters of double pink, small blooms cover this compact, mounded shrub rose. The flowers are well-
spaced and give the plant a unique, airy feel. It is a great choice for borders, containers, and in mixed plantings with other compact growing plants.
The breeder is Andrew Borocco and the rose has been introduced by Antique Rose Emporium. ‘1000 Wishes’ is classed as a shrub rose with large billowing, carefree roses with large, single pink flowers. ‘1000 Wishes’ also won the American Rose Center Committee Award for Best Shrub – Landscape Rose.
Dr. Joseph & Marion Klima Award For Best Garden Impression Rose: ‘Easy Bee-zy Knock Out®’, bred by Star Roses. This landscape shrub features fragrant yellow flowers that repeat bloom throughout the season. It is a great selection for pollinator gardens.
Dr. Jim Hering Award for the Best Miniature Rose: ‘Diane Sommers’, bred by James Sproul and introduced by Antique Rose Emporium. This miniature rose features bold, unique coloring. The color along with a compact 2X3’ size makes it a great addition in the flower garden. Disease resistant and hardy in zones 5-11.
American Rose Center People’s Choice Award: American Rose Center People’s Choice Award, bred by William Radler and introduced by Star Roses. ‘Orange Glow Knock Out’ features luminous orange flowers that bloom repeatedly from spring to frost in zones 4-11.
Diane Sommers
Connie Reeve
