Though Christmas is barely over, garden centers and nurseries are hard at work planning for next year. For 2005, a number of delightful new roses are being introduced. With a few exceptions such as the miniature roses, these are suitable for cut flowers.

In 2005, David Austin English roses will introduce six new varieties, including three pink ones, two apricots, and a yellow-flowered one. Hyde Hall rose has medium pink, rosette-shaped blossoms in a medium pink. These are pleasingly fragrant.

The Ingenious Mr Fairchild rose has deep pink blossoms with a touch of lilac. They have a fruity fragrance.

St Alban rose is a vigorous shrub with arching canes. If desired, it can be trained on a trellis though that is by no means required. St. Albans reaches about four feet in height with an almost equal spread. If left unpruned, it can grow to 8 feet in height. The scented blossoms of St Alban are a gorgeous yellow. These fragrant blooms open wide to a shallow cup.

Wisley rose is the deepest, richest pink you’ll see in a rose. About four feet tall and across, this bushy shrub produces oversized, cupped blooms in
pure deep pink.

For apricot-colored roses, you can take your pick of the David Austin varieties. Cardingmill rose is a bushy rounded shrub about four feet tall and across. The flowers are a rich combination of pink, apricot, and yellow. They have a wonderful fragrance like myrrh.

From Conard-Pyle/Star Roses comes a number of outstanding varieties, including Blushing Knock Out and Pink Knock Out rose. Unlike many roses, Blushing Knock Out rose is a beauty. Interestingly enough, this is suitable for both hot and cold climates. Hardy to -20 Fahrenheit, that puts it into a zone 5. Yet, it also thrives in very humid weather, making it a good choice for the South. The blossoms are a lovely pale to medium pink. Because this plant is resistant to mildew, rust, and blackspot, it is very suitable for cut flower gardens. Organic gardeners will also like the fact that it is resistant to insects, including Japanese beetles and rose midges.

The Knock Out rose series is said to be the best selling of the modern roses. Pink Knock Out rose has an informal habit, and is hardy to zone 4. It is very resistant to disease. This blooms for a very long period. The blossoms are a gorgeous pink.

Conard-Pyle is also introducing a new Meidiland rose. Panda Meidiland rose is in the Star landscape shrub rose series. The lightly scented blossoms have pure white petals with yellow centers. Hardy to zone 4, this plant produces blooms continuously from spring through the fall.

Preference rose is a new floribunda rose in Conard-Pyle’s Star Roses series. Reaching about three feet in height, this freely flowering plant has deep red blooms that are unaffected by heat and sun. It is especially suitable for container culture.

Queen Mary 2 rose is another hybrid rose from Conard-Pyle. This is a compact shrub rose. The very long-stemmed blossoms are a beautiful clear-white. They have an intense, pleasing fragrance. Unlike many white roses, this plant is exceptionally hardy.

Weeks Roses is introducing a new, floriferous, vigorous grandiflora for 2005. Honey Dijon rose is noted for its unique color in roses—a brownish golden tan with hints of rose-pink. Over time, these become lighter in color to golden beige and ecru. They have a sweet fragrance. Honey Dijon produces huge clusters of blooms. It has attractive, dark, green, glossy foliage.