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The AARS announced their 2008 winners. A Floribunda and Grandiflora won the honors for the upcoming year. Those of you who like pastel roses will be very happy with the choices.
Every year when the new rose catalogs begin to hit my mailbox one of the first things that I look for is the AARS symbol. All American Rose Selections is a designation given to roses that have passed a very rigorous evaluation.
These evaluations are conducted at 20 AARS trial gardens throughout the country. They are located in all USDA climate zones.The plants in the test gardens are given the same care as they would receive in an average home garden.
Only the roses that pass these rigid processes get the coveted AARS designation.
The criteria that the plants are judged on are: vigor of the plant, fragrance, disease resistance, foliage, flower production, growth habits, bud and flower form, and overall value.
There are the 2 AARS winners for 2008.
Dream Come True
This is a Grandiflora with a yellow center and ruby red petals to the outside of the bloom.
It’s hardy to USDA zone 5 (zone 4 with winter protection)
It has a mid fragrance
The blooms are large and can reach up to 5 inches in diameter.
This is only the third rose that was hybridized by an amateur, Dr. John Pottschmidt, of Cincinnati, Ohio
This 2008 winner is introduced by Weeks Roses.
Mardi Gras
This selection is a floribunda, with blooms of pink orange and yellow.
It grows to a height of about 4 feet.
It is hardy to zone 5.
It is very disease resistant.
Mardi Gras is introduced by Jackson & Perkins
All American Rose Selections have been awarding their honors since 1940. If you’re looking for a quality rose that has been time tested look for the AARS logo.
Images and plant facts courtesy of All American Rose Selections
About Paul Rodman
Paul Rodman has been gardening for over 40 years. He is an Advanced Master Gardener, and American Rose Society Consulting Rosarian. He is currently president of the Western Wayne County Master Gardener Association in Wayne County, Michigan.
Rodman is the garden columnist for The News Herald newspaper, in Southgate, Michigan. He has also written for the OrganicGardening.com web site.
He has lectured on various gardening topics throughout southeastern Michigan.
His favorite pastime is teaching children about gardening. For the past several years he has conducted classes for second grade students teaching them about subjects ranging from vermi-composting to propagation.
Posted by soulgardenlove (from Marietta, GA) on March 3, 2008 at 8:08 PM:
They were both in a two pack box by Jackson & Perkins and around $19 for one of each! I now own them and look forward to growing them :))
Susan
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Subject: Another great article
Posted by drapelady (from Denham Springs, LA) on February 19, 2008 at 2:21 AM:
Thanks so much Paul for all of the info on roses. Because I am so new to roses, I am soaking up everything about them, especially your articles which I save in my favorites. I had asked you about yellow leaves on my Lady Elsie May and thankyou for your reply. Well, the yellow leaves are all gone and new growth appearing, so I don't really know what the problem was. Just glad its gone. Thanks again for all of the info. Please continue with the Rose information.
Debbie
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Posted by Sharran (from Calvert City, KY) on February 19, 2008 at 8:25 PM:
An informative article for me. I am new to roses...well, new to growing roses, so I appreciate your article.
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Posted by McGlory (from Southeast, NE) on February 19, 2008 at 11:17 PM:
I love those pinky-orangey ones like the Mardi Gras. Are they AARS roses more expensive the first year after getting that designation?
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Posted by rosesforme01 (from Melbourne,Vic
(Australia)) on March 4, 2008 at 7:38 AM:
Thanks Paul
I have read a few of your articles and find them informative and very helpful especially on a practical level.
Every year when the new rose catalogs begin to hit my mailbox one of the first things that I look for is the AARS symbol. All American Rose Selections is a designation given to roses that have passed a very rigorous evaluation. 
