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 this month, we feature a rose that
‘St Margaret’s Gold’ is a sport of the popular ‘Hayley Westenra’ and shares all its characteristics except for flower colour. Rather than the blend of apricot, salmon and pink, the blooms are a blend of yellow and cream with a pink flush and sweetly scented too.
An upright grower to a medium height and with glossy green leaves, ‘St Margaret’s Gold’ is a worthy addition to any garden. Winner of the Best Hybrid Tea award at the New Zealand Rose of the Year trials in Hamilton 2017.
By Hayden Foulds
Hayden also serves as Deputy Chairman of the World Federation of Rose Societies Rose Trials Committee amongst other rose endeavors.