ROSE TEST GARDENS

Articles In This Section:

· ROSE GARDENS

· SIZE AND SHAPE OF BEDS

· THE HOME ROSE GARDEN

· PUBLIC ROSE GARDENS

· MEMORIAL ROSE GARDENS

· ROSE TEST GARDENS

Rose test gardens were conducted at Haywards Heath, England, until recently, when a new trial ground was established at St Albans. For many years similar gardens have been kept at Bagatelle, France, and more recently America has done likewise. Still more recently, New Zealand, with the Massey National Rose Trial Ground at Palmerston North, has followed suit. They all aim at cultural trials, manurial demonstrations and experiments, disease control, and trials of new varieties. Reports are issued on work done, and awards are made to approved novelties. A gold medal or an award of merit from one of these test gardens is keenly sought by hybridists for their latest creations.

The American system appears to be the most thorough. It was not commenced until 1938. Any new variety may be sent by any hybridist. All entries are planted in test gardens in twenty-two scattered parts of the United States, so that most rose-growing climates are included. Resident judges inspect and score the entries on a uniform point basis. At the end of each two-year testing period the scores are collected from all areas and added. The top-scoring rose or roses are named as the All-America Rose Selections. These tests will prove a wonderful asset, for hybridists from all countries are now sending their novelties for trial and judgment.

In Australia the National Rose Society of each State makes its own award of a gold medal or certificate of merit for worthy roses submitted. In the case of the National Rose Society of Victoria, the plants must be seen growing, and then at least six blooms must be submitted at the one time to at least six judges. The variety may be classed by the raiser as exhibition or decorative type, and is judged accordingly. Points are awarded for colour, form, substance of petal, size, perfume, and stem. A variety scoring eighty per cent or more is awarded a gold medal. A variety scoring between seventy and eighty per cent is awarded a certificate of merit. This does not amount to the same thing as a test garden, but is the nearest approach to one in Australia. The other National Rose Societies make similar awards in the same way.