Lucky 13

The American Rose Trials for Sustainability (A.R.T.S.) has added 13 roses to the family of 107 award-winning cultivars proven to have superior hardiness (disease/pest tolerance, heat/cold/drought tolerance, soil and nutrient adaptability) and plant performance in various regions of the country. A.R.T.S. is an independent, non-profit organization that conducts two-year scientific studies to evaluate the newest roses coming to market and is designed to identify the toughest and most beautiful roses available. The research team (four Ph.D. university scientists, public horticulturists and nursery growers) have decades of experience in conducting plant trials, including at least 40 collective years of scientific rose research.

“The greatest benefit of A.R.T.S. is the objective, region-specific data provided which allows me to confidently select roses that will thrive under real-world garden conditions,” says Justin Valdez, director of research at Certified Nurseries, Inc. “Ultimately, these trials strengthen our rose program by aligning our introductions with what truly performs for gardeners across different regions.”

A.R.T.S. takes the guesswork out of selecting roses that have proven track records of landscape excellence. Nurseries and their customers will find that these award-winning roses require minimal input of resources in return for maximum output of garden performance.

Trial sites and methodology

The trialing cycle for the 2027 winners included ten test sites around the country that represent seven Köppen Climate Regions (Figure 1). The Köppen Climate System uses the critical components of both temperature and moisture to designate regions. Together these components not only control plant growth, but also the timing, level and intensity of disease and insect pressure. The A.R.T.S. website makes it simple to identify ones Köppen Climate region and winning roses.

Trial site partners (Figure 2) are committed to promoting environmental stewardship in their gardens and region, and the common scientific methodology of A.R.T.S. allows for greater national impact. Each site has three plants of each cultivar with the specific location of each randomly assigned in each of three blocks or beds for statistical validity. Under the rigorous testing protocol, roses are grown for two years. Throughout the trialing cycle roses are not treated with any fungicide or insecticide and receive no applications of fertilizer. This facet of the trial protocol is tremendously important to industry, says Kristen Smith, rose evaluation manager, Star Roses and Plants.

“We at Star Roses and Plants have long valued the importance of extensively trialing and testing roses, especially in no spray environments,” Smith says. “Participating in the A.R.T.S. program is a great way for us to gain further independent knowledge of our roses so we can better advise everyone along the rose supply chain about which varieties are expected to perform the best in different regions of the country.”

Evaluators rate plant performance monthly during the growing season using a streamlined proprietary app and their data is uploaded directly into a database. In addition to rating the presence of pests and diseases, evaluators take data on bloom coverage, fragrance, foliage health and retention and growth habit.

“With multiple trial sites covering the key climatic regions of the continental U.S. and led by a strong scientific scoring system, you can trust the A.R.T.S. regional winning rose varieties to be excellent performing additions to your garden,” explains noted rose breeder, Christian Bédard.

How awards are earned

To win regional awards, roses must prove they are resilient on their own merits without being sustained by repeated fertilizer applications, chemical sprays or winter protection. The determination of awards is straight forward and based on the overall body of regional performance data over the two-year trialing cycle.

Each trial site contains two control cultivars, Double Knock Out (‘RADdko’) and Sunrise Sunset (‘BAIset’) which are evaluated and scored alongside the trial cultivars. At the end of the trial period, the average regional performance scores of the control cultivars become the threshold score that trial cultivars must meet or beat in order to earn a regional award called a “Local Artist Award.” Cultivars winning in four or more regions earn the added “Master Rose Award” in recognition of their greater adaptability.

This rigorous scientific trialing method is important to industry, says Natalie Carmolli, public relations specialist and rose trial coordinator for Proven Winners ColorChoice Shrubs.

“Being part of A.R.T.S. gives us the opportunity to have our roses evaluated by an independent group of experts across the country,” she says. “That kind of third-party validation really matters … it means when we call a rose “award-winning,” it’s not just our opinion. That designation has been proven in a wide range of real garden conditions, which helps build trust and excitement around our rose program.”

For the growers, retailers and landscapers, A.R.T.S. takes the guesswork out of selecting roses that have proven track records of landscape excellence.

“The testing conducted by A.R.T.S. plays a vital role in the future of landscaping, especially as climates continue to change. It aligns seamlessly with our First Editions brand promise of ‘Taking the hard work out of yard work,’” says Layci Gragnani, brand/business development manager for First Editions Shrubs & Trees, Bailey Nurseries.

The 2027 group includes the first winning roses in the A (Tropical) climate of Southern Florida. The 2027 winners are introduced by Altman Plants, Bailey Nurseries, Certified Nurseries, Spring Meadow Nursery Inc., Star Roses and Plants and Weeks Roses.

Master Rose award winners

The designation of “Master Rose” is the highest award bestowed under the A.R.T.S. program. The last and only other time there were this many Master Rose winners was 2019. Click here for past Master Rose award winners.

Buttercream Drift ('MEIdevi').

Pastel yellow, loosely double flowers are produced in profusion on a low and spreading groundcover rose. Won in regions: A, Cfa, Cfb, Dfa, Dfb and H. Introduced by Star Roses and Plants; bred by The House of Meilland.

Fiesta Veranda ('KORhesanwes')

The flower color transitions from bright yellow buds to shades of carmine and cream on the partially and fully open blooms. This mounded, compact floribunda has glossy foliage. Won in regions: Cfa, Cfb, Csa, Dfa, Dfb and H. Introduced by Star Roses and Plants; bred by W. Kordes & Sons.

Raspberry Cupcake ('KORcarmsis')

Fragrant, double and cupped, raspberry-pink blooms are produced on a compact, mounded hybrid tea. Won in regions: A, Cfa, Cfb, Dfa and Dfb. Introduced by Star Roses and Plants; bred by W. Kordes & Sons.

Sol Desire ('TEXsolde')

Intense double yellow blooms hold their color very well. This floribunda produces blooms in clusters and is compact to moderate in size. Won in regions: Cfa, Csa, Dfb and H. Introduced by Certified Nurseries.

Sultry Night ('WEKswipufste').

Magenta-purple blooms with a lighter reverse are petal-packed and borne in clusters on a compact shrub rose. Won in regions: A, Cfa, Cfb and Dfb. Introduced by Weeks Roses; bred by Christian Bédard.

Time After Time (‘WEKaltbeba’)

Double coral-pink blooms are produced in clusters on an upright and slightly spreading floribunda. Won in regions: Cfa, Cfb, Dfb and H. Introduced by Weeks Roses; bred by Christian Bédard.

True Bloom True Presence (‘R14-1393R’)

The double, rich-red blooms of this shrub rose are prolifically produced on plants with glossy, rich-green foliage. Won in regions: A, Cfa, Csa, Dfa and Dfb. Introduced by Altman Plants; bred by Ping Lim.

Local Artist award winners

These roses compared favorably to the reference rose cultivars in their particular climate region. Click here for past Local Artist award winners.

Cathedral Bells ('DELamo')

Fragrant, lilac-pink, very full blooms with cupped form are produced singly and in small clusters on an upright growing shrub rose. Won in regions: A and Dfb. Introduced by Certified Nurseries; bred by G. Delbard.

Coral Keepsake (‘AA057P’)

This salmon-colored floribunda has double high-centered blooms that contrast nicely with rich reddish-green glossy foliage. Won in region: Dfb. Introduced by Altman Plants; bred by Ping Lim.

Make Me Blush ('WEKmotonton')

Moderate to large double blooms open soft yellow and develop blush pink petal margins as the blooms mature. This hybrid tea has an upright and spreading growth habit. Won in regions: A, Cfa and H. Introduced by Weeks Roses; bred by Christian Bédard.

RISE UP Amberness ('CHEWamberness')

Orange buds open to warm amber colored blooms with wavy petals. This shrub rose can be grown as an upright free-standing plant or trained as a compact climber. Won in regions: A, Dfa and Dfb. Introduced by Spring Meadow Nursery; bred by Christopher W. Warner.

The Finest ('BAInest')

Blush-tinted buds open to pure white double blossoms on an upright growing shrub rose. Blooms are borne singly and in small clusters with medium to long stems. Won in regions: Cfa and H. Introduced by Bailey Nurseries; bred by Ping Lim.

Top Cream ('MEIroguste')

Very double, fragrant, cream-colored blooms are produced on a vigorous and upright hybrid tea. Under cool conditions, blooms can have soft peachy-pink highlights. Won in regions: Cfa, Cfb and Dfb. Introduced by Star Roses and Plants; bred by The House of Meilland.