Justifying a Few New Roses

WHAT’S new? Nothing under the sun, according to an oft-repeated 
saying. Certainly in the plant world, ‘new’ is difficult to define.

Every now and again we read of a ‘new’ species somewhere in the world – Australia’s Wollemi pine, for example. But these plants are not new; just ones no one knew existed.

In the gardening world, the question of new is just as difficult. Take roses. Is a rose new in New Zealand when it’s planted in trial grounds open to public view, when it’s available only in limited numbers or when gardeners throughout New Zealand can buy it?

In our preview of roses this issue, we take the wider view on offer this winter (page 14). It’s impossible not to fall in love with some of them. If buying a rose in the past has sometimes been the start of a love-hate affair, you will note, like me, there’s extra temptation this year – like ‘Absolutely Fabulous’, which a nursery representative tells me is wonderfully healthy and a must on his shopping list. There’s one with few thorns and some power-packed with perfume too.

We gardeners can justify a little spend by what we save in growing food. And though I can’t claim a productive patch like our feature gardeners (page 10), I’m inspired by their example and our edible gardening team (page 28).

With their help plus the tips on making plenty of compost (page 18), a must for any gardening endeavor, my veggie garden’s productivity should soar. That would justify a few new roses, surely! That’s my argument anyway.

Susie Longdell,

Editor.