American Garden Rose Selections™ was established to recognize and recommend the best garden-worthy rose varieties for the various regions of the United States through testing. The goal is to provide objective and reliable information to rose gardeners. AGRS™ is a true national rose trial in the United States that tests the same roses in gardens all around the country. There are six growing regions, with Marin falling in the Southwest region.
Each garden plants the roses that are being considered for the award. Over a period of two years, the roses are evaluated three times per growing season. Evaluators are looking for the same characteristics you would like in a garden rose including disease-resistance. Other criteria include flowering effect/bloom abundance, bloom form and attractiveness, fragrance, rebloom habit, aging quality of blooms, hardiness in cold and heat, vigor, foliage proportion and attractiveness, and plant habit.
1000 Wishes™
Created by Mike Shoup. Introduced by the Antique Rose Emporium.
Firefly™
Fragrance Award. Created by Ping Lim. Introduced by Altman Plants.
Like No Other™
Created by Christian Bedard. Introduced by Jackson & Perkins.
Soaring to Glory™
Created by Keith Zary. Introduced by Jackson & Perkins.
Ruby Red™
Created by Meilland Roses. Introduced by Star Roses® and Plants.
Fiesta Veranda™
Created by Kordes Roses. Introduced by Star Roses® and Plants.
Blushing Drift™
Created by Meilland Roses. Introduced by Star Roses® and Plants.
Grand Baby™
Created by Mike Shoup. Introduced by the Antique Rose Emporium.
Brindabella Crimson Knight™
Fragrance Award. Created by Sylvia E & John C Gray. Introduced by Dig Plants Company & Suntory Flowers.
Click here and scroll down page to see photos of the winners, and here for a complete list of AGRS Southwest Regional winners.