Hybrid Tea Rose
‘New Zealand’

This is a new rose for me. I bought it at the local garden center. What made me notice it was its huge flower. So far it has done well. After I bought and planted it I decided to look it up. I read some people think the color is common. I guess it is, but in a good way. The fragrant blooms have just kept coming on a bushy disease-free plant.

Sam McGredy developed this rose in 1989 from the parents 'Harmonie' & 'Auckland'. 'Aotearoa New Zealand' is its full name, and it was introduced to celebrate New Zealand’s 150th anniversary. It has 34 petals, strong stems, and dark green foliage. It is said to bloom better in cooler weather, so with this heat wave, we will test that out. Yesterday was one of those days in the garden that takes a lot out of you. I took this picture at 8:30 am and it was already 80 degrees F.