Biltmore International Rose Trials 2016

 The Roses, The Garden, The Hats!!

 THE ROSE TRIALS. . .

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There is so much for me to love about the rose world. Roses, rose friends and rose events add so much to my life. None more than the annual pilgrimage to judge roses at the Biltmore. What a pleasure to be in this beautiful place with so many beautiful friends. And, the roses, oh my, spending this last weekend in September in the Biltmore rose garden is truly ending my rose growing season on a high note.

ABOUT THE TRIALS:

The trial is dedicated to the backyard gardener and is open to professional as well as amateur rose hybridizers from around the world. Each trial lasts two years and a permanent jury judges the roses four times per year. Even in winter!

Roses are evaluated for their overall health and vigor, fragrance, disease resistance and their ability to rebloom. All things that we backyard gardeners are looking for. In my garden are several of the past winners and I am making plans to add a few of these as well! 🙂

And, the 2016 winner are…

POLAR EXPRESS (Kordes Sunbelt Collection)  Link to New Flora http://newflora.com/product/polar-express-rose/

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  • Best Growth Habit
  • Best Floribunda
  • Most Outstanding Rose of the Trial

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HONEYMOON (Kordes Arbors Collection) More info here.

  • Lord Burleigh Award for Most Disease Resistance
  • Gilded Age Award for Best Climber

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DOUBLE 10 by Ping Lim

  • Pauline Merrell Award for Best Hybrid Tea

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THE LARK ASCENDING by David Austin

  • Chauncey Beadle Award for Best Shrub

B/26A/06(M)LUC/HAxGC/MMT(10)

 An amazing collection!



THE GARDEN…

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Belinda’s Dream was so dreamy–I could hardly tear myself away! You can order this one here. Lucky for me, my Belinda’s Dream was blooming when I got home! (More about that here.)

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Pink Pet (Sometimes thought to be Caldwell Pink … read more about that here. Also sold at Chamblees.)

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Strike it Rich … Mercy! Tom Carruth has a winner with this one. Read more.



THE HATS. . .

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Marci Martin always lovely and always inspiring. Check out her FB page here.

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Tina VanCleave, Marci and I having just the best time!

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Jim Wilson and Susan Foxx.

 

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Debbie Clark taking note!

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Award winning rose grower, Cindy Dale, hard at work!

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George Ann Hamilton … so lovely in her pink!



THE BEST PART…

Mr. G and I were celebrating our 39th anniversary that day.

He is the VERY BEST!

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Biltmore Rose Trials 2014

I have had the privilege to be in rose fairyland. Nestled in the beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains, in the side lawn of the majestic Biltmore estate, the Biltmore rose garden was in perfect form for the second annual Biltmore International Rose Trials. A big shout out to Lucas Jack, Biltmore Rosarian & his crew and to Paul Zimmerman for his leadership and direction in establishing these trials.

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The Dynamic Duo … Lucas Jack and Paul Zimmerman

 The Garden…

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THE WINNERS…

Amidst a flurry of amazing blooms, these roses emerged as the winners:

Frances Meilland / Meilland / Star Roses & Plants
Pauline Merrell Award for Best Hybrid Tea

Francis Meilland (Picture courtesy Star Roses and Plants)
Francis Meilland (Picture courtesy Star Roses and Plants)

Tequila Supreme / Meilland / Star Roses & Plants
Edith Wharton Award for Best Floribunda

Tequila Sunrise
Tequila Supreme

Bejazzo / Kordes
Gilded Age Award for Best Climbing Rose

Bejazzo
Bejazzo Vased
Bejazzo in the garden...
Bejazzo in the garden… absolutely stunning from every angle.

Honorine de Brabant / Award of Excellence for Best Established Rose

Honorine de Brabant
Honorine de Brabant

Sweet Drift / Meilland
The Frederick Law Olmsted Award for Best Groundcover

Sweet Drift
Sweet Drift

Pookah / Polyantha / James Delahanty
The Honorable John Cecil Award for Open Group

Pookah
Pookah

Munstead Wood / David Austin Roses
Cornelia Vanderbilt Cecil Award for Most Fragrant

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Munstead Wood

AND, THE BIG WINNER…

Miracle on the Hudson
Miracle on the Hudson
Miracle on the Hudson
Miracle on the Hudson

Miracle on the Hudson / Robert Neil Rippetoe

Chauncey Beadle Award for Best Shrub
William Cecil Award for Best Growth Habit
Lord Burleigh Award for Most Disease Resistant
George & Edith Vanderbilt Award for Most Outstanding  Rose (Best in Show)

None of these roses were grown with any special attention and no chemical sprays were used. The idea is to grow these roses in conditions that mimic that of a novice backyard gardener.

It was my pleasure to be up-close and personal with these lovely roses, and to join with some of my very favorite rose friends to be a part of a process that will result in more beautiful and sustainable roses for our gardens.

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE WINNERS!

More Pictures…

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For more on the Biltmore rose trials, read on.