We had a nice District-wide response to Roses in Review for 2003. Reviews were received from 137 reporters, a slight decrease from the 139 reporters last year. The largest number of reports, 90, came from Southern California, followed by 27 from Arizona, 11 from New Mexico and the balance from other areas of this District.

The Pacific Southwest District is the largest in the American Rose Society by membership, with over 2,200 members and 319 Consulting Rosarians. It is also very large geographically with wide differences in climate. Our District's contribution to the annual Roses in Review Survey is therefore very important and I am proud of the contribution our rosarians have made. I will note, however, that our percentage of participation is still below average when compared with other Districts. And again, our Consulting Rosarians, who are expected to participate as part of the commitment made when becoming a CR, made a very poor showing. The total would have more than doubled if the CRs had supported RIR. If you failed to participate this year, please resolve to send in your reports next year to our new RIR Coordinator, Julia Cooper. Our new Co-chairs of Consulting Rosarians, Bert and Kay Grant, will be emphasizing CR participation as well.

The full report has been submitted to the National RIR Chairman and compiled results for the entire nation will appear in an upcoming issue of the American Rose Magazine. In the attached charts I have set forth the ratings of the top large and miniature roses by garden and exhibition rating for our District. In making this compilation, I have included only those roses for which at least seven reports have been received.

In the large roses, the top garden rating was recorded by 'Flower Girl', a light pink shrub by Gareth Fryer, introduced by Weeks Roses. This is the second year in a row that ‘Flower Girl’ has recorded the top garden rating. Reporters spoke often of its abundant large clusters of blooms and cleanliness.

In second position in the garden ratings, and again the leading hybrid tea, is the 2000 AARS winner 'Gemini'. Reporters were effusive in its praise, commenting on its outstanding pink/coral color and form, its vigorous growth habit, profuse bloom and glossy, disease-resistant foliage. 'Gemini' also recorded 62 reports, the largest number in the survey, with nearly half of the reporters growing this variety. The second largest number of reports was recorded by ‘Marilyn Monroe’ with 59.

The third spot in the garden ratings goes to the white floribunda ‘Fabulous!’, which the reporters agreed is well-named and is indeed, fabulous. Reporters praised its abundant, large, pure white sprays, as well as its vigor and disease-resistance.

In fourth position is another shrub, 'Pillow Fight', hybridized by Tom Carruth and also introduced by Weeks. ‘Pillow Fight’, with its abundant, small white blooms, had ranked second in garden ratings in last years’ survey, but is still clearly a favorite among those growing it. ‘Our Lady of Guadalupe’, a pink-blend floribunda from Jackson & Perkins, rounds out the top five.

'Gemini' also led the survey in the exhibition ratings, followed by ‘Cajun Moon’, the sister seedling of ‘Moonstone’. The floribundas, ‘Fabulous!’ and ‘Our Lady of Guadalupe’ follow in third and fourth position, followed by the hot pink hybrid tea, ‘Hot Princess’.

Among the miniature roses, ‘Bee’s Knees’, a yellow blend Jackson & Perkins introduction, led in both the garden and exhibition ratings, in each case by a significant margin. Reporters loved its bright colors and form, as well as its exceptional vigor and cleanliness.

Last year’s leader in both categories, 'Ruby Baby', the orange-red sport of 'Hot Tamale', finished second in the garden ratings and fourth in the exhibition ratings. Tom Carruth's bright orange single, 'Gizmo', was third in the garden ratings, followed by ‘Petite Perfection’ and ‘Merlot’, a 2002 AOE winner.

In the exhibition ratings, Robbie Tucker’s yellow blend, ‘Dancing Flame’, was second. It was followed by 'Amber Star', the orange blend sport of the well-established exhibition rose, 'Glowing Amber'. ‘Soroptimist International’ finished fifth.

Our reporters submitted a total of 1,391 reports on 231 individual cultivars. Over 70% (97) of our reporters submitted their reports online at the ARS website, which was a great help in compiling the reports. I again give my thanks to all who participated in this important project. I have enjoyed the responsibility for compiling the data and it has certainly helped improve my limited knowledge of Excel. It also made me realize how much difference each of us can make in helping establish standards of rose excellence. Please show continued and, hopefully, increased support of Roses In Review to Julia Cooper, who will chair this project from 2004 to 2006.

TOP BIG ROSES - Garden Ratings

TOP MINI ROSES - Garden Rating

TOP BIG ROSES - Exhibition Ratings

TOP MINI ROSES - Exhibition Ratings

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