Trial

New Zealand

Rose of the Year - Gold Dust by David Benny of New Zealand

Gold Star of the South Pacific for the highest pointed rose on trial
	Trial No: 4526 Name: SOMlinone Type:Floribunda Breeder: Rob Somerfield, New Zealand Entrant: Glenavon Roses, Tauranga
Silver Star of the City of Palmerston North for the highest pointed NZ amateur bred rose on trial
	Trial No: 4528 Name: Iris Evans (GRAiris) Type:Floribunda Breeder: Doug Grant, New Zealand Entrant: DNA Enterprises, Pukekohe

	Trial No: 4499 Name: Sundancer (Cheworangedawn) Type: Climber Breeder: Chris Warner, England Entrant: Tasman Bay Roses, Motueka
	Trial No: 4519 Name: Gordon’s Rose (KIRredsh) Type: Floribunda/Shrub Breeder: Gordon Kirkham, England Entrant: Matthews Nurseries LTD, Wanganui
	Trial No: 4533 Name: Nelson Girls (CHEWalma) Type: Hybrid Tea Breeder: Chris Warner, England Entrant: Tasman Bay Roses, Motueka
	Trial No: 4527 Name: Anna Leese (Wekscemala) Type: Floribunda Breeder: Tom Carruth, United States Entrant: Matthews Nurseries LTD, Wanganui

Established in 1969 as a partnership between the National Rose Society of New Zealand and the Palmerston North City Council, the trial grounds were the first such trial grounds to be established in the southern hemisphere, Palmerston North was chosen to host the trials because of its central location, good growing conditions for roses and support from the local rose society and city council.

The main objective of the trials is to test roses from breeders in New Zealand and overseas under standard conditions that have not been commercially sold here before. Each trial last for two years with around 50 - 60 entries making up each trial, including many from New Zealand breeders. Entering cultivars into the trials is free but the cost of sending plants is the responsibility of the entrant.

Six plants are required for Hybrid Teas and Floribundas, four for miniature/patio cultivars, three shrub/groundcover and two for climbers or patio climbers.

Each trial is assessed by 20 judges drawn from local rose societies around Palmerston North, no information about the cultivar is revealed to the judges with each entry only identified by a code number.

A simple 1 - 10 scoring system is used to assess each entry under the categories of plant quality, freedom of flowering, health, flower quality, flower form and fragrance. The roses receive an average level of care whilst under trial - they are not pampered but are not neglected at the same time.

In the first year, assessments occur three times over the growing season in spring, summer and autumn; and four in the second year about every six weeks during the growing season. Novelty is assessed separately by a panel of five who are looking for something completely different from any other rose grown in New Zealand .

To gain an award, a rose needs to reach 70% of the points allocated by the judges, although awards are declined if the entry won’t be commercially released in New Zealand. Certificates of Merit are presented to those roses gaining 70 points or more with special awards for fragrance and novelty being made if a rose has scored high marks from the judges. Past winners of the fragrance award include Aotearoa, Taffeta, Emperor and Emily’s Rose; while past novelty winners have included Scentimental, Fourth of July and Starry Eyed.

For the highest pointed NZ bred rose by an amateur breeder, the Silver Star of the City of Palmerston North is awarded. A positive trend in recent years has been an increase in the number of New Zealand bred roses winning awards; such roses have included Millennium, Blackberry Nip and Chocolate Prince

The highest award of the trials is the Gold Star of the South Pacific which is presented to the rose gaining the highest pointed on trial. It is a sought after award with many past winners going on to be very popular commercially in New Zealand. Such roses have included Friesia, Margaret Merrill, Sexy Rexy, Gold Medal, Hot Chocolate, Anniversary, Serendipity and Racy Lady.

The National Rose Society Trials Grounds for roses are in Palmerston North. The aim of the trials is to test roses under standard conditions for both the home garden and for exhibiting purposes. Entries are called for in May each year from breeders (amateur or professional) for roses to be judged over a two-year period. This trial is scientific over a two year period.

There are five classes of entry, Climber, Bush, Miniature type, Shrub and Ground cover.

Judging is done at least every two weeks through the growing season for two years. This gives a pretty good indication of the capabilities of each cultivar. The bushes are received from breeders in June and judging commences in November. The roses are watered, fertilised and sprayed in the same manner as the other roses in the Victoria Esplanade by the PNCC gardeners.

In the first year, the entry is judged on the bush, flower and judge’s recommendation for an award. In the second year the entry is judged under a wider range of criteria which includes, habit, growth, freedom of flowering, form, disease resistance. There is also a category for novelty and fragrance.

A winning award receives a Certificate of Merit. The winner of the highest pointed rose on trial is awarded the Gold Star of the South Pacific - a very coveted award. The winner of the highest pointed rose bred by an amateur is awarded the Silver Star of the South Pacific. One of the last entries to win this award was the lovely HT rose Aorangi - which is a sport of Sylvia. The awards ceremony is usually held in November or December in Palmerston North.

There has been a big increase in the number of climber entries, including Patio Climbers and these have won major awards e.g. Patio Honey and Good as Gold. Next time you hear that a certain rose was a Trial Ground winner in Palmerston North, you may have a better idea of the rigors that it has been through.

4^th December 2005
New Zealand International Rose Trial Grounds Committee
PO Box 1006
Palmerston North
Email: rosetrialgroundspn@paradise.net.nz

These International Rose Trial Grounds were established to test un-released roses with a view to their possible release on the New Zealand market. The trial is for two years with a panel of 20 judges assessing the bushes monthly between November and April for plant quality, freedom of flowering, flower quality, health and fragrance. The top award, the Gold Star of the South Pacific, is highly sought after, as past winners often become very popular roses on the market. The Silver Star of the City of Palmerston North is awarded for the top NZ amateur bred rose over 70 points.

Official Results Trial 34 Awards 2002 – 2004

Gold Star of the South Pacific for the highest pointed rose on trial & Certificate of Merit

Silver Star of the City of Palmerston North for the top amateur bred rose on trial

Certificates of Merit

4393 Modern Miss (CAMpink) HT, David Benny, NZ 72.6 points

Competition Winners

Phabulous Phab Gold!

The Editor spent time at Palmerston North for the presentation of trial ground winning roses for 2003 with presentation of the International award for the Dugald Mckenzie rose garden to the Mayor of Palmerston North, Mark Bell-Booth.

These International Rose Trial Grounds were established to test un-released roses with a view to their possible release on the New Zealand market. The trial is for two years with a panel of 20 judges assessing the bushes monthly between November and April for plant quality, freedom of flowering, flower quality, health and fragrance. The top award, the Gold Star of the South Pacific is highly sought after, as past winners often become very popular roses on the market. The Silver Star of the City of Palmerston North is awarded for the top NZ amateur bred rose over 70 points.

A large number of rose enthusiasts gathered to enjoy the music, dancing and presentations in the rose gardens. Announced by a resplendent Town Crier, Caroline Robinson, the awards, which could have included a dozen excellent roses on trial, were presented to breeders or their agents.

Official results

Gold Star of the South Pacific for the highest pointed rose on trial & Certificate of Merit

Silver Star of the City of Palmerston North for the top amateur bred rose on trial

Official Results Trial 34 Awards 2002 – 2004

Gold Star of the South Pacific for the highest pointed rose on trial & Certificate of Merit

Silver Star of the City of Palmerston North for the top amateur bred rose on trial

Certificates of Merit

4393 Modern Miss (CAMpink) HT, David Benny, NZ 72.6 points

Competition Winners

Phabulous Phab Gold!

Official results

Gold Star of the South Pacific for the highest pointed rose on trial & Certificate of Merit

Unamed Fl, Colin Dickson, UK 72.4