'Gold Dust' scoops the pool at NZ Rose of the Year competition

I popped down to Hamilton on Sunday for the annual New Zealand Rose of the Year competition at the Hamilton Gardens. It was a glorious sunny day with a jovial garden party atmosphere, helped in no small part by the launch of the new Sexy Rexy Rose wine (made by Steve Hotchin, the son of Sam McGredy's late mate Rex who gave this famous rose its name). The Rogers Rose Garden, where the rose trials are held, was in spiffing good shape despite the vandalism efforts of local rabbits. I wish my rose garden looked half as good at this time of the year!
The big winner this year was Balclutha rose breeder David Benny, who pretty much scooped the pool with his
Floribunda 'Gold Dust' (pictured left). It was an absolute stand out - a fantastically healthy rose with masses of amazing apricot flowers set off by stunning, shiny dark foliage. 'Gold Dust' was voted Best Floribunda and went on to win the supreme title of NZ Rose of the Year. It also picked up the Children's Choice award, as decided by local school pupils (the first time the kids have agreed with the adults!) and Sam McGredy also gave it his personal gong for the best New Zealand-raised rose.
The prize for the best Hybrid Tea went to 'Crimson Bouquet' (pictured left), raised by German rose breeder Kordes and entered by Matthews Nurseries. If you're looking for the perfect red rose for picking, one with velvety red petals that are such a rich, radiant crimson that they appear almost to glow, I suggest you order 'Crimson Bouquet' next time you're at the garden centre.
Red was also the colour of the winning climbing rose this year. 'Eiffel Tower 2000' (pictured left) was bred - unsurprisingly - in France by Delbard and entered by Bell Nurseries. It's gorgeous, with dark red, single flowers and glossy foliage. It pipped the local 'Sky Tower', another climbing rose with lofty ambitions.
Finally, the award for the most fragrant rose went to 'Love Me Do', also grown by local breeder David Benny. To be honest, it's not a fantastic looking rose - although it did draw the short straw in terms of its position in the garden, as it gets shaded by a large tree - but the fragrance is delightful. And really, that's what it's alll about, especially if you're a romantic at heart like me.