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 rose trials, breeders pay a fee for each rose variety submitted to the Gold Standard trials which are independently managed by NIAB at their Cambridge headquarters.

Based on cumulative information gathered 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 completion in 2011 of the latest trial added a further sixteen roses to the 'Gold Standard Hall of Fame' making a total to date of 65 Gold Standard roses. With the trials set to continue it is anticipated that more roses will receive this accolade in the future.

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, now in its 30th year, the Rose of the Year trials.

The Gold Standard roses can be seen at Roath Park, Cardiff, Borde Hill Garden, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, Hever Castle in Kent and the Royal National Rose Society, St Albans.

Full details of the varieties listed, and in commerce, can be found in our 'Rose Locator' section.

Gold Standard (words and device) is a registered trade mark belonging to the British Association of Rose Breeders.

GOLD STANDARD® ROSES

AWARDED IN 2006 (Trialled 2005-2006)

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 Warners' Roses
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 2006-2007)

RAMBLING ROSIE (Horjasper); a Rambler bred by Colin Horner
TICKLED PINK (Fryhunky); a Floribunda bred by Fryer's Roses (Rose of the Year 2007 and Certificate of Merit - Glasgow International Rose Trials 2009)
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 (Glasgow International Rose Trials - Silver Medal 2009)
STRAWBERRY HILL (Ausrimini); an English Shrub rose bred by David Austin Roses
ALIBABA (Chewalibaba); a Climber bred by Warners' Roses

AWARDED IN 2008 (Trialled 2007-2008)

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 (Glasgow International Rose Trials - Gold Medal 2009)

AWARDED IN 2009 (Trialled 2008-2009)

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
STRIKE IT RICH (Wekbepmey); a Florishrub bred by Weeks Roses
PRINCE JARDINIER (Meitroni); a Floribunda bred by Meilland

AWARDED IN 2010 (Trialled 2009-2010)

PINK DRIFT (Meijocos); a Ground Cover bred by Meilland
BONICA (Meidomonac); a Shrub rose bred by Meilland
LA ROSE DE MOLINARD (Delgrarose); a Florishrub bred by Delbard
NEWSFLASH (Kendutch); a Floribunda bred by David Kenny
ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS (Wekvossutono); a Floribunda bred by Weeks Roses (Rose of the Year 2010)
STRIKES' GOLD (Korsteimm); a Floribunda bred by Kordes Roses
REBECCA MARY (Dicjury); a Floribunda bred by Dickson Nurseries
CHARLESTON (Meikokan); an HT bred by Meilland (not yet available)
THE WREN (Kormamtiza); a Floribunda bred by Kordes Roses
KEW GARDENS (Ausfence); an English Shrub rose bred by David Austin Roses
VIOLET CLOUD (Harquick); a Floribunda bred by Harkness Roses
GOLD CHARM (Chewalbygold); a Climber bred by Warners' Roses
Meikolyma (not yet available); a Floribunda bred by Meilland

AWARDED IN 2011 (Trialled 2010-2011)

CELEBRATION TIME (Wekcobeju); a Floribunda bred by Weeks Roses
EASY DOES IT (Harpageant); a Floribunda bred by Harkness Roses
HAPPY DAYS (Harquad); a Patio Shrub bred by Harkness Roses
JAM & JERUSALEM (Frymojo); a Floribunda bred by Fryer's Roses
LET'S CELEBRATE (Fryraffles); a Floribunda bred by Fryer's Roses
NEW BEGINNINGS (Korprofko); a Floribunda bred by Kordes Roses
NIGHT OWL (Wekpurosot); a Floribunda bred by Weeks Roses
PARKY (Harpresto); a Shrub Rose bred by Harkness Roses
PINK PERFECTION (Korpauvio); an HT bred by Kordes Roses (Glasgow International Rose Trials - Fragrance Award 2012)
SHOWMEE® MUSIC (Chewdaybell); a Ground Cover bred by Warners' Roses
VICTORIA PENDLETON (Harpace); a Floribunda bred by Harkness Roses
WHITE STAR® (Harquill); a Climber bred by Harkness Roses
MIND GAMES® (Dickylie); a Floribunda bred by Dickson Nurseries
MAXIMA ROMANTICA™ (Meikerira); a Floribunda bred by Meilland (not yet available)
YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL (Fryracy); a Floribunda bred by Gareth Fryer Roses (Rose of the Year 2013)
'CHEWNUTURE' (Chewnuture); a Climber bred by Warners' Roses (not yet available)

AWARDED IN 2012 (Trialled 2011-2012)

APPLE JACK (Kenendure); a Floribunda bred by David Kenny
BRIGHT AS A BUTTON (Chewsumsigns); a Ground Cover bred by Warners' Roses
PINK PARADISE (Delfluoro); a Shrub rose bred by Delbard Roses
POMPONELLA (Korpompan); a Shrub rose bred by Kordes Roses
PRINCESS ANNE (Auskitchen); a Shrub rose bred by David Austin Roses
SHOWMEE® DANCING (Chewallbell); a Ground Cover bred by Warners' Roses
YORK MINSTER (Harquest); a Floribunda bred by Harkness Roses
'DICMULTI' (Dicmulti); a Floribunda bred by Dickson Nurseries (not yet available)