One of my roles with the New Zealand Rose Society is running their website www.nzroses.org.nz which entails a wide range of things, including one of my favourite jobs, answering all the enquiries that come through from across New Zealand and around the world.
By far, the two most common enquiries are:
- Is there a rose called a certain name? (Often with a person's name in it for birthday, bereavement etc.)
- Where do I buy this rose I am after?
It is estimated that 50000 varieties have been introduced around the world with perhaps 10% of these either imported into New Zealand or bred here. We are a small country with a small market so if you have seen something in an overseas book or website, you are likely to find it won't be in New Zealand. Roses perform differently around the world but that's another column!
If you are looking for a rose, where would you start?
The internet is an amazing tool to use to find what you are after but always beware, information is sometimes not correct.
The most comprehensive online database of roses can be found at www.helpmefind.com/roses which lists varieties and their details. Many also have photos which is really helpful when searching.
If you can find it on here, then it exists somewhere in the world.
But what about in New Zealand?
The first thing to realise is that if it is here, the name may have changed from its original country of origin. Few people outside rose circles realise that most modern roses have two names. There is the commercial name (the fancy one that makes you go ‘I like that name and want to buy it') and the varietal name which consists of three letter representing the breeder (e.g. Mac for McGredy, Aus for Austin and so on) and then other letters. Most catalogues, books and websites should list both names although the varietal is often in smaller lettering.
For example, the variety Raspberry Ice has the varietal name Korweiso as it is bred by Kordes in Germany. Overseas it is known as either Hannah Gordon or Tabris so if you find either of these and it has Korweiso somewhere in the catalogue or book, then you will know it is the same thing as Raspberry Ice. I hope that all makes sense!
To search for varieties in New Zealand, you will need to look at a few websites which have good listings of roses. They are and in no particular order:
Websites with Good Listings of Roses
There are more places that you can find roses but the above are some of the comprehensive to look at. Not that I am endorsing them but if you can't find what you are looking for there, you probably won't find it elsewhere.
Finally, if you are still looking for a rose, readers can email me at hayden@nzroses.org.nz and I'll do my best to help out.
By Hayden Foulds
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