Whanganui’s Matthews Roses wins Gold Star of the South Pacific award

The rose is a glowing orange coral floribunda. Photo / Supplied

Whanganui rose breeders Matthews Roses have taken out the top spot in one of the country’s biggest competitions.

Their ‘Allison Scott (Mattcard)’ rose won the Gold Star of the South Pacific award at this year’s New Zealand Rose Society International Rose Trial Grounds.

Assistant manager Samantha Matthews said there were entries from breeders and growers overseas as well, and entries were judged over a two-year period.

Criteria included the health and vigour of the plant, the form of the flower, and fragrance.

“This is a really special thing,” Matthews said.

“The last rose of Bob’s [Matthews] to win was ‘In Loving Memory’ in 2010.”

Matthews Roses was established by Tom Matthews and is now owned by his son Bob. Samantha is the third generation to be involved in the business.

The winning rose, a glowing orange coral floribunda, was named after the woman who discovered it.

“It’s a sport, or genetic mutation, of Bob’s rose called ‘My Mum’, which is a really special rose to us,” Matthews said.

“Allison is a prominent rosarian and a lovely person. She sent it [the sport] to Bob, we trialled it, and it was really healthy and beautiful.

“We’ve always been proud of being rose growers from Whanganui, and it’s cool to win an award like this.”

She said the rose would be available by 2024.

“The thing with the trial grounds is, it’s all brand new roses, and many might not have been released yet.

“It takes two more years to commercially produce a rose.

“Keep a look out for it.”