The Ultimate Guide to the Best Rose Breeders in the World
Rose breeding is an art and science that has evolved over centuries, producing roses of extraordinary beauty, resilience, and diversity. Modern breeders combine traditional hybridization methods with advanced techniques to create roses with unique colors, fragrances, and growth habits. Here’s a SG florist guide to the world’s best rose breeders and their iconic creations.
1. David Austin Roses (United Kingdom)
Overview:
David Austin Roses is renowned for creating English Roses, which blend the charm and fragrance of old garden roses with the repeat-flowering habit and disease resistance of modern roses.
Famous Varieties:
‘Gertrude Jekyll’: A fragrant pink rose, often cited as one of the most beautiful in the world.
‘Golden Celebration’: A large, golden-yellow rose with a rich tea scent.
‘The Poet’s Wife’: A compact shrub with vibrant yellow blooms and a fruity fragrance.
Why They're Special:
David Austin’s roses are celebrated for their romantic appeal, luscious fragrances, and classic forms. Their roses are ideal for gardens, borders, and bouquets.
Where to Find:
David Austin Roses operates a world-famous nursery in Shropshire, England, and ships globally.
2. Meilland International (France)
Overview:
This legendary French breeder is responsible for some of the most iconic roses of the 20th century, blending elegance with robust performance.
Famous Varieties:
‘Peace’ (Rosa ‘Madame A. Meilland’): A symbol of peace and hope, this yellow-pink hybrid tea rose is one of the most famous roses ever bred.
‘Papa Meilland’: A velvety crimson rose with a powerful, sweet fragrance.
‘Bonica’: A hardy, disease-resistant shrub rose that blooms profusely.
Why They're Special:
Meilland International focuses on breeding roses with strong performance, making them suitable for a variety of climates and conditions.
Where to Find:
Meilland roses are distributed through nurseries worldwide, and the company’s headquarters in Le Cannet-des-Maures, France, includes a stunning display garden.
3. Kordes Roses (Germany)
Overview:
Kordes is a leader in disease-resistant roses, producing hardy, easy-care varieties with exceptional blooms. They are particularly known for their ADR-certified roses (a German quality standard).
Famous Varieties:
‘Iceberg’ (Kordes ‘Schneewittchen’): A pure white floribunda, renowned for its prolific flowering.
‘Pomponella’: A unique rose with clusters of small, pom-pom-shaped pink blooms.
‘Plum Perfect’: A mauve-colored rose with excellent resistance to pests and diseases.
Why They're Special:
Kordes prioritizes breeding roses that thrive with minimal chemical intervention, making them ideal for environmentally conscious gardeners.
Where to Find:
Kordes roses are widely available through nurseries and online retailers, and their headquarters in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany, showcases their collections.
4. Jackson & Perkins (United States)
Overview:
An American icon in rose breeding, Jackson & Perkins specializes in hybrid tea roses, floribundas, and grandifloras with bold colors and exquisite forms.
Famous Varieties:
‘Perfume Delight’: A hybrid tea rose with deep pink petals and a strong, sweet fragrance.
‘Queen Elizabeth’: A tall grandiflora with soft pink blooms.
‘Ebb Tide’: A smoky purple floribunda with a clove-like scent.
Why They're Special:
Jackson & Perkins focuses on roses that make an impact, both in gardens and as cut flowers, combining elegance with performance.
Where to Find:
Jackson & Perkins operates a popular online store and distributes roses across the United States.
5. Tantau Roses (Germany)
Overview:
Tantau is a premier German rose breeder, known for producing roses that combine modern aesthetics with strong disease resistance.
Famous Varieties:
‘Aphrodite’: A pale pink hybrid tea with a classic cup shape.
‘Beverly’: A pink hybrid tea with an intense, fruity fragrance.
‘Cherry Lady’: A vibrant cherry-red floribunda that blooms abundantly.
Why They're Special:
Tantau’s roses are ideal for urban gardens and landscaping projects, as they are bred for resilience and easy maintenance.
Where to Find:
Tantau roses are widely distributed across Europe, and their headquarters in Uetersen, Germany, includes a beautiful rose garden.
6. Delbard Roses (France)
Overview:
Delbard is a French breeder famed for its artistic approach to roses, often naming varieties after artists, landmarks, or wines.
Famous Varieties:
‘Henri Matisse’: A striped rose with red and pink swirls.
‘Claude Monet’: A unique pastel-colored rose with a painterly appearance.
‘Alfred Sisley’: A floribunda with orange, pink, and yellow streaks.
Why They're Special:
Delbard roses are as much works of art as they are plants, with unique color patterns and striking forms.
Where to Find:
Delbard roses are available in Europe and select international markets.
7. Weeks Roses (United States)
Overview:
Weeks Roses is a major U.S. breeder known for creating bold, garden-worthy roses that perform well in American climates.
Famous Varieties:
‘Julia Child’: A butter-yellow floribunda with a mild anise scent.
‘Fourth of July’: A climber with red-and-white-striped blooms.
‘Mr. Lincoln’: A deep red hybrid tea with a rich fragrance.
Why They're Special:
Weeks Roses balances traditional rose breeding with innovative techniques, creating roses that thrive in diverse conditions.
Where to Find:
Weeks Roses are widely available through nurseries and garden centers in the U.S.
8. Poulsen Roses (Denmark)
Overview:
Poulsen Roses specializes in compact, decorative roses ideal for small gardens, pots, and urban spaces.
Famous Varieties:
‘Celebration Time’: A striking orange rose in the PatioHit® series.
‘Lovestruck’: A deep red floribunda that won the Rose of the Year 2018 award in the UK.
‘Cappuccino’: A unique rose with coffee-colored petals.
Why They're Special:
Poulsen focuses on roses that combine ornamental beauty with practicality, offering compact varieties that thrive in containers.
Where to Find:
Poulsen roses are distributed globally and are particularly popular in Europe.
9. Harkness Roses (United Kingdom)
Overview:
Harkness Roses has a long tradition of breeding high-quality roses, often with a focus on health and floriferousness.
Famous Varieties:
‘Amber Queen’: A golden-yellow floribunda with a delightful scent.
‘Margaret Merril’: A white hybrid tea with a citrus fragrance.
‘Simple Life’: A modern shrub rose with a minimalist aesthetic.
Why They're Special:
Harkness Roses are known for their timeless beauty and practical performance in gardens.
Where to Find:
Their roses are available through UK nurseries and online retailers.
10. Guillot Roses (France)
Overview:
Guillot Roses is one of the oldest rose breeders in France, famed for creating the first hybrid tea rose in 1867 (‘La France’).
Famous Varieties:
‘Madame Pierre Oger’: An old rose with delicate pink petals.
‘Piano’: A cup-shaped red rose with a romantic allure.
‘Eglantyne’: A soft pink rose with a nostalgic charm.
Why They're Special:
Guillot blends historical significance with innovative breeding, producing roses that honor tradition while meeting modern expectations.
Where to Find:
Guillot roses are available at their nursery in Lyon, France, and through European distributors.
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These breeders represent the pinnacle of rose innovation and artistry. Whether you're seeking timeless classics or cutting-edge hybrids, their creations cater to every taste and garden style. Explore their collections to bring a piece of global rose excellence into your life!
