Regions Retailers Roses Contact Us

What is AARS Region’s Choice? AARS Region’s Choice identifies exceptional roses which, when studied in gardens nationwide, have proven to excel in specific regions of the United States. Recognizing that a rose that flourishes in Pasadena may not perform as well in Portland, each variety is hand-picked to be the easiest to grow and maintain in a particular region. These roses live up to the strict standards of the AARS, which has been selecting the best roses nationwide for 70 years. The program is designed to help you choose the very best roses for your garden.   How did you pick the regions for 2008? There are many unique climate zones throughout the U.S., each presenting local gardeners with challenges to consider. From dry heat to lots of moisture and longer winters – these conditions impact what rose plant will grow the best. To help take some of the guesswork out of the equation, the AARS Region’s Choice program identified three unique regions of the country, each with its own climate and soil conditions to consider, when identifying which roses grow best under the given circumstances. While the program will eventually be rolled out throughout the U.S., for the 2008 planting season, the AARS Region’s Choice program will focus on these three regions Northern California/Pacific Northwest Southern California/Southwest Mountain States In 2009 and beyond, AARS will add roses to each region, as well as add additional regions for the eastern half of the United States.   What are the selection criteria for the roses? Every AARS Region’s Choice rose has been hand-picked by some of the world’s most renowned rose hybridizers, based on its ability to excel in your region. This ensures that the roses in your garden center flourish in your customers’ gardens.   Selection criteria for AARS Region’s Choice roses include: Outstanding ease of growth and care Exceptional resistance to disease Overall beauty   How does AARS Region’s Choice compare to the annual AARS Winners? While all AARS Winners are selected because they’ve proven to flourish in the rigorous two-year trial program and embody all the characteristics consumers desire in a garden plant, the Region’s Choice roses are a select subset of roses that have proven to excel in specific climate and soil conditions of various geographic regions.   All AARS Region’s Choice roses live up to the strict standards that the AARS is known for, providing the reassurance of knowing that each variety has been identified as the best in its region. For more information about the AARS Region’s Choice program, call (415) 249-6776 or email rose@rose.org.