Every year, the new roses that make their debut in October, say a lot about how rose breeders are responding to issues like climate change, the effect of urban densification on the way we garden, and what people want from their roses.
This year the colours are rich and warm, with some alluring striped varieties. There’s also a blurring of the lines with roses that combine the best of both hybrid teas and floribundas, producing floribunda-like candelabras of perfect hybrid tea or old fashioned blooms. What stands out, is that roses are getting tougher and shrubbier, with more leaves for