American Rose Society, 2010 AARS Rose Winners
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 1966 ‘Sutter’s Gold’ - Hybrid Tea, orange blend, 33 petals 1968 ‘Granada’ - Hybrid Tea, red blend, 25-30 petals 1970 ‘Fragrant Cloud’ - Hybrid Tea, orange red, 28-35 petals 1974 ‘Papa Meilland’ - Hybrid Tea, dark red, 35 petals 1979 ‘Sunsprite’ - Floribunda, deep yellow, 28 petals 1986 ‘Double Delight’ - Hybrid Tea, red blend, 35 petals 1997 ‘Fragrant Hour’ - Hybrid Tea, orange pink, 35 petals 2001 ‘Angel Face’ - Floribunda, mauve, double 2002 ‘Secret’ - Hybrid Tea, pink blend, 30-40 petals 2003 ‘Mister Lincoln’ - Hybrid Tea, dark red, 35 petals 2005 ‘Sheila's Perfume’ - Floribunda, yellow blend, 20 petals 2007 ‘Fragrant Plum’ - Hybrid Tea, mauve, 20-25 petals 2008 ‘Sweet Chariot’ - Miniature, mauve, very double These Fragrant Medal Winners are by no means the only fragrant roses. Many Species, Old Garden Roses, Shrubs and David Austin Roses are very fragrant. Enjoy growing roses - our National Flower!  'First and Foremost' |