Choosing New Exhibition Roses

by Joe and Brenda Smith

Breeding - Look for new roses with proven parents.  i.e. for minis we buy ANYTHING with a Fairhope parent.  Resources for breeding:.  1.  ARS magazine – In the back of most issues it lists newly registered roses – often way before they come into commerce.  Indicates parentage or sport info.  2.  EveryRose.com, database of lots of roses. 3.  http://www.helpmefind.com/rose/index.php - another excellent database.

Rose Exhibitors Forum – United States statistics of top winners.  Look for roses in the PSWD.  Go to www.RoseShow.com.  Bob Martin has put together an amazing web site as well as the quarterly report you can subscribe to for $15.00 per year.

Research – Use the Internet.  Many discussion groups and message boards on line to find out what who are the new upcoming stars.  Seasoned exhibitors sometimes test grow hybridizer’s roses and already have experienced the growth habits and form of the rose. Discussion boards are full of great reports on roses across the U.S.  My favorites are: http://www.rosarianscorner.com and The Garden Web: http://forums.gardenweb.com/forums/rosesexh/.

Talk to exhibitors at CCRS – Ask what is working, what is not.  A lot of exhibiting is trial and error. 

Joe and Brenda Smith