All-America Rose Selections

All-America Rose Selections. It was a non-profit organization dedicated to the independent testing and promotion of new rose cultivars across diverse climates in North America. Founded in the late 1930s, its rigorous two-year trialing process became the preeminent standard for evaluating garden-worthiness, significantly influencing commercial rose breeding and home gardening trends for over six decades. The program's coveted awards were a major marketing tool for hybridizers and nurseries, driving the popularity of many iconic rose varieties.

History and establishment

The organization was formally established in 1938, spearheaded by prominent nurseryman Robert Pyle of the Conard-Pyle Co., with strong early support from influential rosarian and publisher J. Horace McFarland. Its creation was a direct response to the need for objective, continent-wide evaluation of new roses, which were often promoted based solely on claims from their breeders or performances in limited, favorable climates like California. The model was inspired by the older and successful All-America Selections program for annuals and vegetables. Initial test gardens were established at strategic locations including the Huntington Library, Huntington Botanical Gardens in San Marino, California, and the University of Pennsylvania. The first awards were announced for the 1940 season, setting a new benchmark for the American rose industry.

Selection process and criteria

The selection process was renowned for its rigor and impartiality. New rose entries, submitted by hybridizers from around the world, were grown for two years in a network of official test gardens spread across the United States. These gardens, often located at prestigious institutions like the New York Botanical Garden or Missouri Botanical Garden, represented a wide range of winter hardiness zones and climatic challenges. Judges, including American Rose Society officials and experienced horticulturists, evaluated the roses without knowing their parentage or breeder, focusing on key criteria. Plants were scored on disease resistance, floral abundance, fragrance, plant habit, and overall garden performance compared to existing standards. Only roses that demonstrated consistent excellence in nearly all test sites could earn the award.

Impact on rose cultivation and gardening

The program had a profound impact on rose breeding and mainstream gardening culture in North America. By rewarding traits like disease resistance and reliability over mere novelty, it encouraged hybridizers such as Gene Boerner and William Warriner to develop sturdier, more garden-adapted varieties. The "AARS winner" label became a powerful consumer guarantee of quality, heavily used in marketing by major nurseries like Jackson & Perkins and Star Roses and Plants. This significantly shaped planting choices in postwar suburban landscapes and public parks. Furthermore, the extensive test garden network provided invaluable data on regional performance, advancing horticultural knowledge and helping to popularize roses in areas previously considered marginal for their cultivation.

Notable AARS award winners

Many AARS-winning roses became legendary, defining eras of rose popularity. Early classics include 'Peace' (1945), hybridized by Francis Meilland, which became a worldwide phenomenon. The floribunda 'Queen Elizabeth' (1955) from Dr. Walter Lammerts set a new standard for grandiflora roses. The vibrant orange hybrid tea 'Tropicana' (1963) from Mathias Tantau was a landmark for its color. Later, the groundbreaking shrub rose 'Bonica' (1987) signaled a shift towards low-maintenance, landscape-friendly varieties. Other iconic winners include the fragrant crimson hybrid tea 'Mister Lincoln' (1965), the floribunda 'Europeana' (1968), and the prolific miniature rose 'Rainbow's End' (1986).

Transition to All-America Rose Selections/All-America Selections

In 2013, after 75 years of operation, the organization announced its dissolution. The rising costs of maintaining the national trial garden network and changing dynamics in the horticultural industry contributed to its end. However, its legacy and testing framework were largely absorbed by the older, allied organization All-America Selections (AAS), which had historically judged annuals and vegetables. AAS expanded its mission to include roses, rebranding this new category as "All-America Selections/All-America Rose Selections." While the original entity ceased, the continuity of independent, multi-regional trialing for new rose cultivars was preserved under the AAS umbrella, ensuring the continued evaluation of garden performance for American gardeners.

Category:Horticultural organizations Category:Rose awards Category:Gardening in the United States