AARS - For Rose Enthusiasts
For those of you new to the wonderful world of roses, there is organization comprised of rose enthusiasts that actually care about the quality of the roses that you purchase. Their mission is to see that your purchase lives up to the highest standards of quality. Many consumers often take for granted that a rose’s beauty and its heartiness has been cultivated over centuries.
It may even surprise you to find out that not all roses by another name may not smell as sweet or be worthy of the distinction of bearing the AARS’ Seal of Approval. A rose must measure up to the exacting standards that are set down by the AARS, (All-American Rose Selections). Since 1983 this seal has become a sign of quality within the complex world of rose growers, buyers and sellers.
AARS is a not-for-profit organization. They represent the industry of growers and they pride themselves on being able to evaluate roses on many levels. Not just on how well they look but a number of other categories such as how well the rose variety can deal with changes in climate or how well they ward off pests and disease.
The process starts with having the rose specimen go through an evaluation process for two years. At that time several new rose specimens are grown in approved test beds all around the USA. You will find these testing gardens from east coast to west coast from Massachusetts to Oregon and in unlikely places such as Virginia, Washington, Wisconsin and Illinois. In total there are over 13 other states so that they can cover the various climate zones to test how well each specimen will be able to handle the disparate weather patterns across this vast country.
The rose experts that are in charge of these test gardens agree to and follow specific growing guidelines set out by the AARS. This can thus ensure that there is consistency throughout this critical evaluation phase. While these guidelines are not exceedingly complicated to professional growers you can be assured that they are developed so that the average rose grower, like you and I, will be able to understand them. This can help ensure that if a rose passes evaluation and then receives the AARS Seal of Approval it can be grown and maintained successfully by anyone, from beginner to expert.
Along with evaluating the climate, the specimens that are under scrutiny will also be labeled with numerical scores that cover numerous other areas as diverse as its color, fragrance, when it blooms and when it peaks and how long it takes to die off. Also judged are its blooms, flower, buds, foliage, its vigor and finally its overall value compared to other roses already available.
Every year new specimens are reach the end of their evaluation and if they pass they are awarded the coveted AARS Seal of Approval. For instance in 2008 the winners were:
Dream Come True: with catchy colors that will lure the likes of even non-rose lovers to its side.This specimen produced flawlessly and formed yellow blossoms, blushed with ruby-red at the tips, all set amongst abundant matte green foliage. It is big, bushy vigorous plant yields long-stemmed, long-lived blooms with mild tea fragrance, making it lovely in the landscape and a great choice for bouquets. Dream Come True was hybridized by Dr. John Pottschmidt of Ohio – he is only the 3rd amateur hybridizer to win the AARS Award in 67 years.
The other winner was the Mardi Gras: This rose has flamboyant blooms with a novel blend of pink, orange, and yellow, and a delightful peppery scent. Mardi Gras as expected can create a festive atmosphere in just about any setting. Each of the high-centered hybrid tea style blooms begins as an apricot-orange bud that slowly spirals open to reveal a 4-inch bright pink and orange bloom with a yellow base. As an All-America Rose Selections (AARS) winner, this festive floribunda has proven to perform exceptionally well across the country with little-to-no care. The colorful blooms are perfectly framed with dark green, semi-glossy foliage, and its upright columnar habit makes Mardi Gras an ideal rose to use as a hedge or in a border with mixed perennials.
Mardi Gras was hybridized by Keith Zary and is introduced by Jackson & Perkins Wholesale, Inc. of
So as you consider your next Rose bush purchase consider that AARS winners must be easy to grow by an average-skilled gardener. Consider one of these established winners when you visit your local nursery or garden or home center this spring to snatch up these best of breed roses. You can purchase past winners here at our garden mall as well under the rose bush category.
