Ausrose of the Year 2015

Last year on Australia Day the rose Joyce Abounding was announced as the "Ausrose of the Year". The rose was selected by a select panel of Australia bred rose enthusiasts. This year the selection process has been changed and the "Ausrose of the Year" will be selected by rosarians in general with the only criteria being to be eligible to vote you must grow at least one Australian bred rose. The five roses up for section are:- Let's Celebrate (Grant), Victoria Gold (Welsh), 100 Not Out (Walsh) Governor Macquarie (Grant), and Fleminton Racecourse (Chapman).  Those wishing to take part in the selection  process should post their favoutrite on the thread.

A deep pink floribunda with classically shaped blooms that form in small clusters. The blooms have 17-25 petals and strong fragrance. The bush is compact and upright with medium glossy green foliage. Bred by the doyen of contemporary rose breeders Dr Bruce Chapman the rose has been more than successful on the show bench winning the prestigious Harry Williams Memorial Bunch of 25 Floribundas at the Rose Society of NSW centenary Show in 1913 and numerous other champion ribbons at various rose shows.

Soft pink with pale apricot centers.  Strong fragrance.  32 to 37 petals borne mostly solitary, classic hybrid tea, high-centered bloom form.  Blooms in flushes through out the season.  Glossy, medium green foliage. Height of 120 to 150 cm.  

This is a seriously disease free rose bush from the vast rose growing experience of celebrated Australian rose breeder and ribbon winner Trevor Grant. Plenty of colourful blooms on a good upright grower gives rise to its vigour and unbelievable disease resistance. Loves the old cut and snip, just grows on back carrying more and more bountiful blooms. Named for the “Father of Australias, Governor Macquarie as part of the Bicentenary celebrations of his Governorship. (1810 to 1821) Governor Macquarie would have been proud that at last the Aussies are beginning to beat the rest of the world in rose breeding too.

Released to commemorate the centenary of the Victorian Rose Society in 1999, the first Rose Society in Australia. This floribunda is capable of growing 60cm to 90cm high and produces double, bright yellow blooms in abundance. In the cooler months the blooms have a fine red pencil edge. It is well worth growing.

Selected as the signature rose for the Rose Society of NSW centenary. None to mild fragrance.  Average diameter 4".  Medium to large, full (26-40 petals), borne mostly solitary bloom form.  Blooms in flushes throughout the season.  Medium, bushy, upright.  Medium, semi-glossy, medium green foliage.  Height of up to 47" (up to 120 cm).

A very good choice Barbara B. In 2008 at the National Rose Society of Australia Inc. Conference associated rose show in Adelaide a vase of Victoria Gold won a special Royal National Rose Society award which I believe it was the first time such an award was given to a vase of roses outside of England.