Oregon Rose Among All-America Rose Selections

Group celebrates 70th Anniversary With Two Winning Roses for 2008 Season, one is from Medford.

2008 AARS Winner "Mardi Gras" (PRNewsFoto/All-America Rose Selections)

(SAN FRANCISCO) - Gold. It's the color of success, sunshine and is associated with feelings of joy, intelligence and energy. As a rose color, it's known for friendship, delight and the promise of a new beginning. For 2008, All-America Rose Selections celebrates those sentiments with the introduction of its 2008 Winners: "Dream Come True" and "Mardi Gras," at this year's Garden Writers Association Symposium in Oklahoma City.

As holders of the coveted "AARS Winner" title, judges say these two new roses excelled during two years of testing against 15 criteria -- including ease of maintenance and disease resistance -- in the world's toughest rose trial. Bearing the AARS red rose seal of approval ensures that these rose bushes will flourish in gardens nationwide.

"Since 1938, AARS has identified the best roses for gardens across the country," said AARS president Tom Carruth. "We are continually impressed to see the unique -- and exceptional -- new rose varieties stand up to our rigorous testing. The 2008 Winners are sure to bring much delight to gardeners nationwide."

Dream Come True

"Dream Come True" rose

Dream Come True is a stunning sight of catchy colors, which lures the likes of even non-rose lovers to its side.

This rose produces flawlessly formed yellow blossoms, blushed with ruby-red at the tips, all set amongst abundant matte green foliage.

The big, bushy, vigorous plant yields long-stemmed, long-lived blooms with mild tea fragrance, making it lovely in the landscape and a great choice for bouquets.

Dream Come True was hybridized by Dr. John Pottschmidt of Cincinnati, Ohio -- only the third amateur hybridizer to win the AARS Award in 67 years -- and is introduced by Weeks Roses of Rancho Cucamonga, California.

Mardi Gras

With flamboyant blooms in a novel blend of pink, orange, and yellow, and a delightful peppery scent, Mardi Gras creates a festive atmosphere in any setting. Each high-centered hybrid tea style bloom begins as an apricot-orange bud that slowly spirals open to reveal a 4-inch bright pink and orange bloom with a yellow base. As an All-America Rose Selections winner, this festive floribunda has proven to perform exceptionally well across the country with little-to-no care. The colorful blooms are perfectly framed with dark green, semi-glossy foliage, and its upright columnar habit makes Mardi Gras an ideal rose to use as a hedge or in a border with mixed perennials.

Mardi Gras was hybridized by Keith Zary and is introduced by Jackson & Perkins Wholesale, Inc. of Medford, Oregon.

Testing Process

AARS operates the world's most rigorous plant trial program via a network of more than 20 official test gardens throughout the country and representing all climate zones. This sophisticated evaluation process results in a new crop of AARS winning roses each year, guaranteeing that only the best make it into your garden. AARS strives to identify roses that are easy to grow, and evaluates plants on more than 15 qualities, including disease resistance, vigor and fragrance. For more information on All-America Rose Selections, visit their Website at rose.org/