New rose releases
Hayden Foulds has the scoop on the 2023 rose variety releases to pre-order now for winter planting.
‘Renegade’
Wow! What a colour. Striking lightly scented blooms of hot orange with a yellow centre make this bush hybrid tea variety stand out in the garden. A robust plant growing to 1.3m with mid-green healthy foliage. A multi international award-winning rose from French breeder Pierre Orard.
Available from resellers of Matthews Nurseries or online: matthewsroses.co.nz
‘Infinity’
A welcome addition to the range of climbing roses, this rose will make a great show against a wall, fence or pergola in any garden. The softly fragrant pure-white blooms can display subtle notches in the petals. A healthy, vigorous grower with mid-green foliage, it grows to a healthy 3m tall. Bred by Bob Matthews.
Available from resellers of Matthews Nurseries or online: matthewsroses.co.nz
‘Attention Seeker’
A real attention-seeking new rose! The clusters of striking goldenapricot blooms really catch the eye in the garden. There is also a good scent for the nose to enjoy. A vigorous, medium-growing plant with healthy, medium-green glossy foliage. Bred by Rob Somerfield, this was a Certificate of Merit winner at the New Zealand Rose Society Trials in Palmerston North 2021.
Available from resellers of Glenavon Roses around New Zealand.
‘Pure & Simple’
A world exclusive release here in New Zealand from UK rose breeder Gareth Fryer. ‘Pure & Simple’ is a free-flowering variety with softly cupped blooms of blush pink-white, with hints of warm apricot. Lightly scented. A bushy grower to 1.3m, with glossy foliage.
Available as a bush or standard. Available from resellers of Matthews Nurseries or online: matthewsroses.co.nz
‘Grandma’s Rose’
‘Grandma’s Rose’ A rose that every grandmother will love! The old-fashionedstyle blooms are a striking red-purple colour and are complemented by dark-green, glossy foliage. Strongly scented blooms add to the appeal of this variety. Bred by Rob Somerfield and named by his children in honour of their grandmother (Rob’s mother). Awarded the Gold Star of the South Pacific at the New Zealand Rose Society Trials in Palmerston North 2019 for the highest scoring variety in trial.
Available from resellers of Glenavon Roses around New Zealand.
‘Hokey Pokey'
A delicious new variety named for breeder Bob Matthews’ favourite ice cream flavour!
Clusters of fragrant honeycomb-coloured blooms, produced in beautiful multi-petal, tightly quartered formation. Repeat flowering, this is a bushy plant that grows to 1.1m with dark, glossy foliage. A welcome addition to the My Rose Collection and available as either bush or standard from resellers of Matthews Nurseries (currently sold out online).
‘Summer sun’
Vivid, vibrant flower power! Glowing coral-orange blooms with a pale-yellow reverse bring summer vibes to your garden. A healthy, shrub-type rose that grows to 1.3m, with glossy foliage to match. Repeat flowering with a soft fragrance, this multi-international award-winner was bred by renowned Kordes Roses of Germany. Available from resellers of Matthews Nurseries or online: matthewsroses.co.nz
'Dame Judi Dench’
From internationally renowned breeder David Austin comes this bush rose named after one of Britain’s most beloved stars of stage and screen. Its blooms are a particularly rich shade of apricot-orange, paling prettily towards the edges. Very resistant to rain damage, and the petals drop neatly. Light-medium tea scent. It produces strong, arching stems to 1.25m which, over time, form an attractive mound of blooms. Available from resellers of David Austin Roses, including Wairere Nursery and Matthews Nurseries.