Lovely new roses are being introduced

If you didn't get roses for Valentine's Day, don't give up. Spring is around the corner, and new roses for your garden are now being introduced.

Since 1938, the All-America Rose Selections has selected, tested and introduced new roses to gardeners throughout the country. As a part of the testing process, AARS operates 20 official test gardens throughout the country that puts potential rose selections through an extensive two-year trial program.

As a part of the evaluation, the roses in the AARS trials receive the same care that an average gardener would provide in the garden. The judges have a 15-point checklist that helps determine a rose's suitability for this award.

The AARS evaluates test roses on the growth characteristics of vigor, disease resistance, stem strength and overall value. Aesthetic factors of fragrance, foliage, flower production, growth habit, bud and flower form, and opening and finishing color are also considered.

The test gardens are located throughout the country and represent all climate zones, so the AARS seal of approval is an assurance that these winners will make your garden look good. This year, only two roses got the nod.

Dream Come True is a true success story. It comes from an amateur hybridizer, John Pottschmidt of Cincinnati. This is only the third time in the 67 years the AARS has been giving out awards that an amateur hybridizer has had an introduction selected.

This rose is being introduced by Weeks Roses of Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. It is in the grandiflora class, and the plant is medium-tall with an upright bushy shape.

The perfectly formed yellow blossoms are blushed ruby-red at the tips. The flowers emerge from abundant matte-green leaves and are borne on long stems. The flowers are formal and double flowered that grow about 5 inches across with about 40 petals. It is a result of a cross of unknown parents.

The long-lasting flowers have a mild tea fragrance, and it is an excellent landscape or cut flower rose. The plant has excellent disease resistance so it is easy to grow, and it is rated as a Zone 5 but will tolerate Zone 4 with winter protection.

The second winner is Mardi Gras. This floribunda preformed well in tests throughout the country and distinguished itself as an exceptionally easy-to-grow problem-free plant. It has an upright columnar growth habit that makes it an ideal rose for a hedge or a mixed perennials border. The plants grow 4 feet high with a strong branch structure.