Given the versatility of roses it is no surprise that choosing suitable cultivars for specific purposes may appear daunting at first. The following are a few ideas, which may assist in making the task a little easier.

A natural progression from growing roses is showing them at local rose shows, and the most important necessity to give yourself every opportunity to compete successfully is to choose the right varieties for the particular classes in which you wish to compete. Studying publications such as the Australian Rose Annual will immediately furnish you with lists of Hybrid Tea roses, which have been successful in recent years. Although many exhibitors believe that the latest cultivars are the best, older exhibitors know that this is not always the case, and many old show bench favourites still have what it takes to put on a good display. Remember those roses which used to win at the Melbourne Town Hall in the 1960’s and ‘70’s? They are still available today in the form of Diamond Jubilee, Bonsoir, Elizabeth Arden, Ena Harkness, June Park, Peace, Peter Frenkenfeld, Royal Highness, and others, and they are as beautiful today as they were then.

There are many who choose not to exhibit roses preferring instead to have a good garden display. Clusterflowered, Grandiflora and some of the more floriferous Hybrid Tea roses are particularly suited to this purpose: Anvil Sparks, Apricot Nectar, “China Sunrise”, Dublin Bay, Duet, Golden Holstein, Iceberg, Imperator, Kookaburra, Magenta, Maria Callas, Matthias Meilland, News, Savoy Hotel, Seduction, are just a few such examples. Some may not hold as well as the more heavily petalled Hybrid Teas but the number of flowers produced on any one bush more than makes up for this and the uniqueness of Anvil Sparks and News is surely a talking point in any garden.

Another joy of growing roses is the added pleasure of having roses available for cutting when family and friends visit, or as a gift when visiting loved ones in hospital. Roses should be cut, thorns removed, and immediately placed in a deep bucket of tepid water several hours before they are needed. Re-cut the stems before placing in a vase of fresh water with some cut flower additive, which will prolong the vase life of the blooms, and remember to change the water daily. The following roses are particularly attractive when cut young and the petals allowed to develop and unfurl: Annie’s Song, Apricot Nectar, Brigadoon, Camara, Diamond Jubilee, Elina, Esmeralda, First Love, Flamingo, Headline, Helen Traubel, Iced Ginger, Just Joey, Lady X, Lemon Sherbet, Lolita, Margaret Merril (outstanding perfume), Mondiale, Peace, Pristine, Sylvia, Tiffany, Vol de Nuit, Worthwhile. Their rate of development can naturally vary but each has a beauty well worth special attention.