Gold Standard Rose Trials
The Gold Standard Trials are the result of a joint initiative between professional rose breeders represented by BARB (British Association of Rose Breeders) and NIAB (National Institute of Agricultural Botany). Unlike some other rose trials, breeders pay a fee for each rose variety submitted to the trials, independently managed by NIAB at their Cambridge headquarters.
Based on cumulative information from invited independent judges throughout the two year period of the trial, the Gold Standard is awarded to worthy varieties. Health, floriferousness, scent and commercial appeal are all considered key factors. The first trial was planted in 2004 (and judged during 2005 and 2006) with the results confirmed in autumn 2006. The second trial was concluded in autumn 2007 with a further seven roses joining the original 'magnificent seven' to give a total of fourteen varieties now awarded 'Gold Standard' status. The latest two year trial concluded in autumn 2008 and a further eleven varieties have been added to the 'Gold Standard Hall of Fame'.
Other rose trials conducted to establish the performance of new, and in some cases established, rose varieties include the International Merit Trials at the Royal National Rose Society in St Albans, the Glasgow International Trials at Tollcross Park, the Pencoed Trials in Wales, the City of Belfast International Rose Trials and, in its 27th year, the Rose of the Year trials.
The Gold Standard roses can be viewed at Roath Park, Cardiff and, from 2010, at Borde Hill Garden, Haywards Heath, West Sussex.
GOLD STANDARD ROSES
AWARDED IN 2006 (Trialled 2005 and 2006)
- CHAMPAGNE MOMENT (Korvanaber); a Floribunda bred by Kordes Roses (Rose of the Year 2006)
- HOT CHOCOLATE (Wekpaltlez); a Floribunda bred by Weeks Roses (Novelty Rose 2006)
- GARDENERS’ GLORY (Chewability); a Climber bred by Chris Warner.
- SILVER GHOST (Kormifari); a Shrub rose bred by Kordes Roses
- SPECIAL CHILD (Taniripsa); a Floribunda bred by Rosen Tantau
- DANCING QUEEN (Fryfestoon); a Climber bred by Fryer’s Roses
- RACHEL (Tangust); an HT bred by Rosen Tantau
AWARDED IN 2007 (Trialled 2006 and 2007)
- RAMBLING ROSIE (Horjasper); a Rambler bred by Colin Horner
- TICKLED PINK (Fryhunky); a Floribunda bred by Fryer's Roses (Rose of the Year 2007)
- LIGHT FANTASTIC (Dicgottago); a Floribunda bred by Dickson Nurseries
- CHANDOS BEAUTY (Harmisty); an HT bred by Harkness Roses (Glasgow International Rose Trials Fragrance Award 2007)
- GOLDEN SMILES (Frykeyno); a Floribunda bred by Fryer's Roses
- STRAWBERRY HILL (Ausrimini); an English Shrub rose bred by David Austin Roses
- ALIBABA (Chewalibaba); a Climber bred by Chris Warner.
AWARDED IN 2008 (Trialled 2007 and 2008)
- NURSE TRACEY (Frykookie); a Floribunda bred by Fryer's Roses
- WILD THING (Jactoose); a Florishrub bred by Jackson & Perkins
- LANCASHIRE (Korstesgli); a Ground Cover bred by Kordes Roses
- RED FINESSE (Korvillade); a Floribunda bred by Kordes Roses
- LUCKY (Frylucy); a Floribunda bred by Fryer's Roses (Rose of the Year 2009)
- TEMPTRESS (Korromalu); a Climber bred by Kordes Roses
- PENNY LANE (Hardwell); a Climber bred by Harkness Roses (Rose of the Year 1998)
- FREE SPIRIT (Fryjeru); a Floribunda bred by Fryer's Roses
- ISN'T SHE LOVELY (Diciluvit); an HT bred by Dickson Nurseries
- PERENNIAL BLUSH (Mehbarbie); a Rambler bred by Bernhard Mehring
- APHRODITE (Tan00847); an HT bred by Rosen Tantau
AWARDED IN 2009 (Trialled 2008 and 2009)
- ROSA BELMONTE (Harpearl); a Floribunda bred by Harkness Roses
- CANDIA MEIDILAND (Meiboulka); a Ground Cover bred by Meilland
- GOLDEN BEAUTY (Korberbeni); a Floribunda bred by Kordes Roses
- SUMMER BEAUTY (Kororbe); a Floribunda bred by Kordes Roses
- MAID OF HONOUR (Jacwhink); a Floribunda bred by Jackson & Perkins
- SWEET PARFUM DE PROVENCE (Meiclusif); an HT bred by Meilland
- SUPER TROUPER (Fryleyeca); a Floribunda bred by Fryer's Roses (Novelty Rose 2010)
- SIMPLY SALLY (Harpaint); a Patio Shrublet bred by Harkness Roses
- SUSAN DANIEL (Harlibra); a Floribunda bred by Harkness Roses
- HOME RUN (Wekcisbako); a Florishrub bred by Weeks Roses
- GEORGE BEST (Dichimanher); a Patio Rose bred by Dickson Nurseries
- Two other varieties, currently not commercially available, were also awarded Gold Standard - varietal name 'Meitroni' (bred by Meilland) and varietal name 'Wekbepmey' (bred by Weeks Roses)