By Norma Kemp, American Rose Society Consulting Rosarian
'Easy Does It'
All-American Rose Selections has chosen a single rose to symbolize the best in the country. The new winning rose for 2010 - ‘Easy Does It’ - represents what it really means to be an All-American Rose Selection winner. This year's 2010 winner is a true testament to the AARS selection progress, which is the most challenging horticultural testing program in the country, recognizing roses that will be easy to grow and require minimal care.
This honor has not been bestowed upon just one rose in any one year since 1990. ‘Easy Does It’ is a great rose that is as beautiful as it is disease resistant. The goal of AARS is to identify the best new roses of the year, and this year ‘Easy Does It’ stood out unsurpassed. Colors of mango orange, peach pink and ripe apricot make up each double-ruffled bloom that seems to bounce off the floribunda's glossy green foliage on top of a rounded, bushy plant.
To be chosen as an AARS Winner, ‘Easy Does It’ thrived during two years of comprehensive testing in 23 gardens nationwide. It flourished in 15 categories, including the ability to resist disease, overall beauty and general ease of maintenance
The Award of Excellence, a designation of merit given to new miniature and Mini-Flora rose varieties of superior quality and marked distinction, was established by the American Rose Society 36 years ago. Since the inception of the Award, 110 AOE winners have been named. These new miniature roses were rated over a two-year period by ARS members at American Rose Society miniature test garden sites throughout the United States.
2010 AWARD OF EXCELLENCE WINNERS
After two years of evaluation, four Award of Excellence winners were selected.
‘Magic Show’ - This outstanding red blend AOE winner is a true miniature. It has a well-rounded bush growing between 18 and 24 inches tall with rich glossy foliage that sets off the perfectly formed blooms. First and Foremost’ - This deep pink Mini-Flora with a lighter reverse and a white center is on a plant that has blooms of exhibition quality. It has dark green, glossy foliage and grows up to 30 inches tall and wide. Daddy Frank’ - This deep red Mini-Flora has out-standing exhibition form with blooms that have up to 25 petals. The bushes grow up to 36 inches tall, has good disease resistance and winter hardiness. Spirit Dance’ - There is no rose around with this amazing color. It has very long pointed shapely yellow buds, which swirl open to show off a warm butterscotch interior. This orange red blend Mini-Flora has more than 30 petals and a slight fragrance. It has deep glossy green foliage, a rounded growth habit and grows up to 24 inches tall.
'Magic Show'
'Daddy Frank'
'Spirit Dance'
JAMES ALEXANDER GAMBLE
FRAGRANCE MEDAL WINNERS
Awarded to outstanding, very fragrant roses by the ARS Prizes & Awards Committee.
Year Variety
1961‘Crimson Glory’ - Hybrid Tea, dark red, 30-35 petals
1962‘Tiffany’ - Hybrid Tea, pink blend, 28 petals
1965‘Chrysler Imperial’ - Hybrid Tea, dark red, 45-50 petals