This month is the second part covering new rose releases for winter 2017, you can read part one here. Keep an eye out for these and if you can’t find a source, email me (hayden@nzroses.org.nz) and I’ll do my best to point you in the right direction.
Tahlia: A floribunda with large blooms of deep rose pink with a creamy centre and yellow reverse to the petals. Moderately scented. Taller growing plant with dark green matte foliage. Available from Amore Roses.
Memories of You: A shrub rose with blooms of salmon-pink, apricot and lemon tones with a lovely scent. Tall growing with a good repeat of blooms throughout summer. Available from resellers of Rasmussen’s Nurseries
Royal City: Well formed blooms of warm pink are a feature of this rose which is borne mostly one per stem. Lightly fragrant, this variety is a bushy grower which has medium green semi-glossy foliage. Available from Amore Roses.
Ziggy: A novel blend of burgundy, gold and white blooms that are produced in clusters. Something a bit different for your garden. Grows to one metre tall. Available from resellers of Matthews Nurseries or rosesnz.co.nz
Platinum: Bred by Bob Matthews and named for the 70th anniversary of Matthews Nurseries Ltd growing roses at Wanganui, this variety has large cupped shaped blooms of pink which open from soft pink buds. Sweetly fragrant. Medium growing with dark green glossy foliage. Certificate of Merit, NZRS Trials 2015. Available from resellers of Matthews Nurseries or rosesnz.co.nz
Shangri-La: A medium to tall growing floribunda with clusters of shell pink blooms. Glossy green foliage compliments the blooms well and it is a very healthy variety. Certificate of Merit, NZRS Trials 2015. Available from resellers of Glenavon Roses.
Smart & Sassy: An eye-catching blend of red with yellow reverse which can change intensity with the weather. Moderately scented blooms which are borne mostly one per stem. Available from Amore Roses.
Scent by an Angel: A stunning variety with rich deep magenta blooms paling to soft violet pink with a huge fragrance. Always in bloom, this tall upright growing plant makes a great display in any garden. Available from resellers of Rasmussen’s Nurseries.
William McCarthy: A free flowering variety with masses of silvery pink blooms making for a great display with its compact, rounded habit. A very healthy variety. Available from Amore Roses.
Our Amelia: A classic Hybrid Tea with blooms of ballerina pink, mostly one to a stem with a strong tea rose scent. A medium growing plant with semi-glossy foliage. Available from Amore Roses.
Tranquillity: A free flowering David Austin variety with pure white, rounded rosette blooms with a light scent. Almost thornless with healthy, vigorous growth. Available from Tasman Bay Roses.
White Patio Wonder: A mass of small double white blooms cover the plant and as they age, they turn pink. A compact growing plant which makes a great short standard. Available from Amore Roses.
Waterlily: Small classically formed blooms of porcelain and creamy peach are a feature of this variety which also has a moderate scent. Upright growing with semi-glossy healthy foliage. Available from Amore Roses.
In the rose garden for June:
- New seasons roses are store now, get in early to get the new and popular varieties before they sell out.
- Plant new roses. Keep them moist before and after planting as dehydration is a leading cause of plant failure.
- Continue to tidy up around the roses remove fallen leaves and debris and put in the rubbish. Do not compost.
- For many areas, it is still a bit early to prune. You can, however, remove any dead or diseased wood early before the main pruning time arrives.
- Check your secateurs are sharp before pruning and that other equipment like pruning saws and loppers are in good working order. A small wire brush is also useful for brushing the bud unions to encourage new growth.
Local rose societies around New Zealand hold free rose pruning demonstrations over the winter months, see www.nzroses.org.nz for further details
By Hayden Foulds,
Hayden also serves as Deputy Chairman of the World Federation of Rose Societies Rose Trials Committee amongst other rose endeavours.