All-America Rose Selections


The All-America Rose Selections is an award that was given annually, from 1940 to 2013, by the American rose industry to an outstanding new rose variety. The AARS selection was regarded as the most prestigious rose prize in the United States for 73 years. AARS was discontinued after 2013, and was replaced by the new "American Garden Rose Selections" program.

History

In 1938, W. Ray Hastings, creator of "All-America Rose Selections", approached Charles Perkins, president of the Jackson & Perkins company with an idea for a rose testing program. Their conversation led to a meeting in Chicago on January 8, 1939 with representatives from the seventeen largest rose growers. The outcome of the meeting was the creation of the non-profit organization, "All-America Rose Selections, Inc., with the goal of evaluating and promoting outstanding roses."' The first rose trials began in 1939 in AARS test gardens throughout the US. The first AARS winners were announced in 1940.
The "All-America Rose Selections" continued each year from 1940 until 2013. The award is considered to be the most prestigious rose award in the United States. Hybrid tea rose, 'Francis Meilland' was the last rose awarded by AARS. AARS was discontinued after 2013, and was replaced by the new "American Garden Rose Selections" program.

Rose testing and selection

The AARS selection process began with a rose grower submitting a new rose to AARS for testing. Roses were grown in official rose testing gardens, typically universities and rose nurseries throughout the US. Roses would be evaluated for two years on many qualities, including disease resistance, flowers, form, and ability to grow in many climates. "The AARS award winners chosen at the end of the trial period comprise only about four percent of all the roses tested". The winning roses can display the AARS brand on their rose tags and in nursery catalogues.

AARS winners

This is a partial list of All-America Rose Selection winners.
Award yearCultivarMarketing nameHybridizerIntro yearIntroduced byCultivar GroupImage
1943'Mary Margaret McBride'Nicolas 1942Jackson & PerkinsHybrid Tea
1948'Diamond Jubilee'Boerner 1947Jackson & PerkinsHybrid Tea
1953'Ma Perkins'Boerner 1952Jackson & PerkinsFloribunda
1955'Queen Elizabeth'
'The Queen of England'		Lammerts 1954Germain Seed & Plant CompanyGrandiflora
1955'Tiffany'Lindquist 1954Howard Rose CompanyHybrid tea
1960Garden PartySwim 1959ArmstrongHybrid Tea
1961DuetSwim 1960ArmstrongHybrid Tea
1962King's RansomSwim 1962ArmstrongHybrid tea
1963Royal HighnessMorey 1961Weeks RosesHybrid Tea
1965Mister Lincoln
'Mr. Lincoln'		Swim & Weeks 1964Star RosesHybrid Tea
1966Apricot NectarBoerner 1965Jackson & PerkinsHybrid Tea
1967'Bewitched'Lammerts 1967Germain Seed & Plant Co.Hybrid Tea
1968'Europeana'de Ruiter Innovations 1963Roy H. Rumsey Pty. Ltd.Floribunda
1969Gene Boerner'Boerner 1968Jackson & PerkinsFloribunda
1969Pascali'Lens 1964T.G. StewartHybrid tea
1971'Red Gold'
'Rouge et Or'
'Alinka'		Patrick Dickson
1967Dickson RosesFloribunda
1973'Electron'
'Mullard Jubilee'		McGredy IV 1970McGredyHybrid Tea
1974'Perfume Delight'Swimm & Weeks 1973Star RosesHybrid Tea
1975TANolg'Oregold'
'Anneliese Rothenberger'		Tantau 1970Jackson & PerkinsHybrid Tea
1976KORshel'Seashell'Kordes 1976Jackson & PerkinsHybrid Tea
1977ANDeli'Double Delight'Ellis & Swim 1976ArmstrongHybrid Tea
1980JACsal'Cherish'Warriner 1980Jackson & PerkinsFloribunda
1980JACtwin'Love'Warriner 1980Jackson & PerkinsGrandiflora
1981rinaKOR'Marina'Kordes 1974Jackson & PerkinsFloribunda
1983JACjem'Sun Flare'
'Sunflare'		Warriner 1981Jackson & PerkinsFloribunda
1984JACum'Olympiad'McGredy IV 1982McGredy Roses InternationalHybrid tea
1984JACum'Intrigue'Warriner 1982Jackson & PerkinsFloribunda
1986AROmiclea'Voodoo'Christensen 1984ArmstrongHybrid tea
1987MEIdomonac'Bonica 82'
Bonica		Meilland 1985Meilland InternationalShrub rose
1988HARroony'Amber Queen'Harkness 1985R Harkness & Co. Ltd.Floribunda
1989JACient'Tournament of Roses'
'Berkeley'		Warriner 1988Jackson & PerkinsGrandiflora
1991MEIpitac'Carefree Wonder'
'Dynastie'		Meilland 1990Meilland InternationalShrub Rose
1992JACpal'Brigadoon'Warriner 1991Jackson & PerkinsHybrid tea
1993JACrite'Rio Samba'Warriner 1991Jackson & PerkinsHybrid Tea
1994HILaroma'Secret'Tracy 1992Star RosesHybrid Tea
1995MACivySpek's Centennial
'Singin' in the Rain'		McGredy 1991Edmunds RosesFloribunda
1996HARwelcome'Livin' Easy'
'Fellowship'		Harkness 1992Weeks RosesFloribunda
1997WECplapep'Scentimental'Carruth 1996Weeks RosesFloribunda
1998FRYxoticSunset Celebration'
'Warm Wishes'		Fryer 1994Weeks RosesHybrid Tea
1999WEKplapic'Betty Boop'Carruth 1999Weeks RosesFloribunda
2000RADrazz'Knock Out'Radler 2000Star RosesShrub rose
2001MEIzoele'Glowing Peace'
'Phillippe Noiret'		Meilland 1999MeillandHybrid tea
2002BALpeace'Love and Peace'Lim & Twomey 1991Bailey NurseriesHybrid tea
2003WEKpaltlez'Hot Cocoa'
'Kiwi		Carruth 2002Weeks RosesFloribunda
2004JACarque 'Honey Perfume'Zary 1993Jackson & PerkinsFloribunda
2005WEKosupalzAbout FaceCarruth 1993Weeks RosesGrandiflora
2006WEKvossutono'Julia Child'
'Absolutely Fabulous'		Carruth 2004Weeks RosesFloribunda
2006WEKisoblip'Wild Blue Yonder'
Blue Eden		Carruth 2004Weeks RosesGrandiflora
2007JACtanic'Moondance'Zary 2003Jackson & PerkinsFloribunda
2008JACfrain'Mardi Gras'Zary 2007Jackson & PerkinsFloribunda
2009Wekcobeju'Cinco de Mayo
'Celebration Time'		Carruth 2006Weeks RosesFloribunda
2010HARpageant'Easy Does It'
'Firestar'
Harkness 2004Weeks Roses
Jackson & Perkins		Floribunda
2011JACmcady'Walking on Sunshine'Zary 2010Jackson & PerkinsFloribunda
2012MEIkanaro'Sunshine Daydream'Meilland 2006Meilland InternationalGrandiflora
2013MEItroni'Schloss Ippenburg'
Francis Meilland		Meilland 2006Meilland InternationalHybrid tea