Celebrate rose season at Victoria Esplanade

Published on 03 December 2025

Rose season has arrived, and Victoria Esplanade is looking the part. After a stunning camellia season, and the Esplanade recently being recognised as an International Garden of Excellence for camellias, we’re now turning the page to the garden’s other big show-stopper – rose season. 

We're set to celebrate the 55th International Rose Trials this weekend

Over the past two years, our Council staff have carefully grown and cared for 50 trial roses submitted by breeders and hybridisers from near and far. 

We’re proud to have entries from leading New Zealand rose breeders, and, through their New Zealand agents, Trial 55 also includes roses from the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, France and Germany. It’s a real international line-up, and a chance to see new roses before they’re widely available. 

John Ford, Chair of the Trial Ground Committee, says the trials reflect how fast the rose world is changing. 

“Breeders around the globe are focusing on roses with more flowers, stronger health, and better fragrance. There’s a lot of exciting innovation happening, and you can see it on show here.” 

A panel of 20 judges assesses the roses across two seasons. They look at things like:

• fragrance
• colour
• health and disease resistance
• flower form
• and what makes a rose unique.

Roses that score 70 points or more earn a Certificate of Merit, which means they can be released for sale. Extra awards go to roses that stand out for fragrance or something truly special and new. 

If an amateur New Zealand-bred rose wins, it receives the Silver Star of the City of Palmerston North, a particularly proud moment for local growers. 

The top award, the Gold Star of the South Pacific, goes to the best-performing rose in the trial grounds each year. Mr Ford says it’s a big boost for the breeder and agent, helping the rose gain attention and popularity around New Zealand. 

“These awards also shine a light on Palmerston North and reinforce the Victoria Esplanade Gardens as a world-class place to grow and test roses.” 

Winners will be announced at the gazebo in the Dugald MacKenzie Rose Garden on Sunday, 7 December at 11.30am. 

Whether you’re a rose enthusiast, a weekend stroller, or just keen to enjoy the gardens at their best, this is a great time to visit.