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American Rose Center 2021 International Rose Trials
A Recap of the The Inaugural Celebrity Judging
The Best Roses of the Trials were awarded at a ‘Celebrity Luncheon’ on Saturday morning, October 30, 2021. It was the First Annual Rose Trials Awards Presentation for the American Rose Center, which followed the morning’s ‘Celebrity Judging’ – the final judging of 2019 rose entries.
Rose trials have been a long-held tradition especially in Europe. Today, there are 28 Rose Trials locations in 16 countries around the world, including the U.S., where rose breeders offer their finest rose introductions to be grown in trial grounds for at least two years before winners are announced. Other trials in the U.S. are located at Portland Rose Garden, OR, Rose Hills, CA and Mesa Valley, AZ.
And the Top Winner Is...
Winner of the ARC GOLD MEDAL for the Dr. J Horace McFarland Award for Most Outstanding Rose of the Trials is the Grandiflora Rose ‘SWEET SPIRIT’. Breeder of the rose is Alain Meilland of the House of Meilland, France. Introducer of the rose is Star Roses & Plants.
Winner of the ARC GOLD MEDAL for the Dr. J Horace McFarland Award for Most Outstanding Rose of the Trials is the Grandiflora Rose ‘SWEET SPIRIT’. Breeder of the rose is Alain Meilland of the House of Meilland, France. Introducer of the rose is Star Roses & Plants.
The rose, ‘Sweet Spirit’ “was created by artificial pollination wherein two parents were crossed, which parents had previously been studied in the hope they would contribute the desired characteristics. The male parent was the ‘Radrazz’ variety,” code name for the revolutionary rose ‘Knock Out’ by Will Radler (which helps to explain its disease resistance). The rose, classed as a Grandiflora, is described as “deep pink, mauve reverse. Strong, damask, fruity, sweet fragrance. Up to 35 petals. Average bloom diameter 3.75”. Blooms are large, very double, in small cluster form. Blooms in flushes throughout the season.” (House of Meilland) Foliage is dark green and semi-glossy. Plant height is 3-4 feet.
‘Sweet Spirit’ was first awarded the Jane Owen & Quintin T. Hardtner, Jr. Award for Best Grandiflora Rose before taking the Gold Medal, and swept these additional top awards:
Virginia K. Shehee Award for Most Fragrant Rose;
William J. Radler Award for Most Disease Resistant Rose;
Dr. Joseph & Marion Klima Award for Best Garden Impression Rose.
‘SWEET SPIRIT’ –2021 GOLD MEDAL for MOST OUTSTANDING ROSE
Winner of the ARC GOLD MEDAL for the Dr. J. Horace McFarland Award
More 2021 Winners...
‘SWEET MADEMOISELLE’ – 2021 BEST HYBRID TEA ROSE
The American Rose Society President’s Award for Best Hybrid Tea Rose went to ‘Sweet Mademoiselle’.
The American Rose Society President’s Award for Best Hybrid Tea Rose went to ‘SWEET MADEMOISELLE’. It was bred by Alain Meilland for the House of Meilland and introduced by Star Roses & Plants. This garden beauty is described as “old fashioned”, with 48-68 petals, fragrant, large to 5”, in a luscious rose-pink with orange-pink shades. The bush is large, up to 72” tall, and healthy.
‘HIGH WIRE FLYER’ – 2021 BEST CLIMBING ROSE
The Dr. Charles & Carolyn Beaird Award for Best Climbing Rose was won by ‘High Wire Flyer’. The rose was bred by Will Radler.
The Dr. Charles & Carolyn Beaird Award for Best Climbing Rose was won by ‘HIGH WIRE FLYER’. It was bred by Will Radler and introduced by Star Roses & Plants. The bloom is described as “hot pink” with very slight fragrance. Foliage is dark green, semi-glossy and very healthy. Already a winner in the American Rose Trials for Sustainability, it has received a rating of 8.5 (of 10.0) in the 2022 Handbook for Selecting Roses.
’TRUE LOVE’ – 2021 BEST MINIFLORA ROSE
The President Emeritus Dr. Jim Hering Award for Best Miniflora Rose went to ‘True Love’, aka “Red Captain”. It was bred by Ping Lim, introduced by Altman Plants.
The ARS President Emeritus Dr. Jim Hering Award for best Miniflora Rose was won by ‘TRUE LOVE’, aka “Red Captain.” The Miniflora was bred by Ping Lim and introduced by Altman Plants. It is a low growing rose, up to 18” in height, which produces blooms of a powerful red. Blooms are very full, with 40 or more petals.
’TRUE PERFUME’ – 2021 BEST SHRUB ROSE in BUSH FORM
The American Rose Center Committee Award for Best Shrub Rose in Bush Form went to ‘True Perfume’, aka “Lady First”. It was bred by Ping Lim, introduced by Altman Plants.
The American Rose Center Committee Award for Best Shrub Rose in Bush Form went to ‘TRUE PERFUME’, aka “Lady First”. The rose was bred by Ping Lim and introduced by Altman Plants. This rose produces pretty pink blooms on a lovely bush, with healthy foliage. With a name that includes “perfume,” it has to be fragrant.
‘OSO EASY DOUBLE PINK’ – 2021 BEST SHRUB ROSE in GROUNDCOVER FORM
The Volunteers of America’s Rose Garden Award for Best Shrub Rose in Groundcover Form was ‘Oso Easy Double Pink’. The rose was bred by Alain Meilland, introduced by Spring Meadow Nursery.
The Volunteers of America’s Rose Garden Award for Best Shrub Rose in Groundcover Form was won by ‘OSO EASY DOUBLE PINK’. It was bred by Alain Meilland and introduced by Spring Meadow. It is a low growing, pretty pink rose with 17-25 petals. As you can see in the third photo, the bees love it!
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 Trial Grounds is the magnificent Windsounds Carillon Tower, a 30’ tall sculpture within the grounds of America’s Rose Garden. After the roses in trials were judged for two years, five times per year, the time came for the final judging and the presentation of awards.
Other award-winning roses were:
American Rose Society President’s Award for Best Hybrid Tea Rose: ‘SWEET MADEMOISELLE’, bred by Alain Meilland for the House of Meilland; introduced by Star Roses & Plants. This garden beauty is described as “old fashioned”, with 48-68 petals, fragrant, large to 5”, in a luscious rose-pink with orange-pink shades. The bush is large, up to 72” tall, and healthy.
Dr. Charles & Carolyn Beaird Award for Best Climbing Rose: ‘HIGH WIRE FLYER’, bred by Will Radler; introduced by Star Roses & Plants. The bloom is described as “hot pink” with very slight fragrance. Foliage is dark green, semi-glossy and very healthy. Already a winner in the American Rose Trials for Sustainability, it has received a rating of 8.5 (of 10.0) in the 2022 Handbook for Selecting Roses.
ARS President Emeritus Dr. Jim Hering Award for best Miniflora Rose: ‘TRUE LOVE’, aka “Red Captain,” bred by Ping Lim; introduced by Altman Plants. It is a low growing rose, up to 18” in height, which produces blooms of a powerful red. Blooms are very full, with 40 or more petals.
American Rose Center Committee Award for Best Shrub Rose in Bush Form: ‘TRUE PERFUME’, aka “Lady First”, bred by Ping Lim; introduced by Altman Plants. This rose produces pretty pink blooms on a lovely bush, with healthy foliage. With a name that includes “perfume,” it has to be fragrant.
Volunteers of America’s Rose Garden Award for Best Shrub Rose in Groundcover Form: ‘OSO EASY DOUBLE PINK’, bred by Alain Meilland; introduced by Spring Meadow. It is a low growing, pretty pink rose with 17-25 petals.
