The Gold Standard Rose Trials were established by professional rose breeders, through its organisation BARB (British Association of Rose Breeders). Independent management of these trials was initially with NIAB (National Institute of Agricultural Botany) 2004 until 2014; from 2015 the trials were maintained by the Royal National Rose Society (RNRS) at their trial grounds at St Albans.
Based on cumulative information gathered from independent judges throughout the two year period of each trial, the Gold Standard is awarded to worthy varieties. Health, floriferousness, scent and commercial appeal are all considered key factors. The first trial was planted in 2004 (judged during 2005 and 2006) with the results confirmed in autumn 2006. The completion in 2014 of the latest trial added a further five roses to the 'Gold Standard Hall of Fame' making a total to date of 80 Gold Standard roses available to consumers. With the trials set to continue it is anticipated that more roses will receive this award in the future.
Other rose trials conducted to establish the performance of new, and in some cases established, rose varieties include the International Merit Trials at the Royal National Rose Society in St Albans, the Glasgow International Trials at Tollcross Park, the City of Belfast International Rose Trials and, the Rose of the Year trials.
Many of the Gold Standard roses can be seen at Roath Park, Cardiff, Borde Hill Garden, Haywards Heath, West Sussex, Hever Castle in Kent.
Full details of the varieties listed, and in commerce, can be found in our 'Rose Locator' section.
Gold Standard (words and device) is a registered trade mark belonging to the British Association of Rose Breeders.
GOLD STANDARD® ROSES
AWARDED IN 2006 (Trialled 2005-2006)
- CHAMPAGNE MOMENT (Korvanaber); a Floribunda bred by Kordes Roses (Rose of the Year 2006)
- HOT CHOCOLATE (Wekpaltlez); a Floribunda bred by Weeks Roses (Novelty Rose 2006)
- GARDENERS’ GLORY (Chewability); a Climber bred by Warners' Roses
- SILVER GHOST (Kormifari); a Shrub rose bred by Kordes Roses
- SPECIAL CHILD (Taniripsa); a Floribunda bred by Rosen Tantau
- DANCING QUEEN (Fryfestoon); a Climber bred by Fryer’s Roses
- RACHEL (Tangust); an HT bred by Rosen Tantau
AWARDED IN 2007 (Trialled 2006-2007)
- RAMBLING ROSIE (Horjasper); a Rambler bred by Colin Horner
- TICKLED PINK (Fryhunky); a Floribunda bred by Fryer's Roses (Rose of the Year 2007 and Certificate of Merit - Glasgow International Rose Trials 2009)
- LIGHT FANTASTIC (Dicgottago); a Floribunda bred by Dickson Nurseries
- CHANDOS BEAUTY (Harmisty); an HT bred by Harkness Roses (Glasgow International Rose Trials - Fragrance Award 2007)
- GOLDEN SMILES (Frykeyno); a Floribunda bred by Fryer's Roses (Glasgow International Rose Trials - Silver Medal 2009)
- STRAWBERRY HILL (Ausrimini); an English Shrub rose bred by David Austin Roses
- ALIBABA (Chewalibaba); a Climber bred by Warners' Roses
AWARDED IN 2008 (Trialled 2007-2008)
- NURSE TRACEY (Frykookie); a Floribunda bred by Fryer's Roses
- WILD THING (Jactoose); a Florishrub bred by Jackson & Perkins
- LANCASHIRE (Korstesgli); a Ground Cover bred by Kordes Roses
- RED FINESSE (Korvillade); a Floribunda bred by Kordes Roses
- LUCKY (Frylucy); a Floribunda bred by Fryer's Roses (Rose of the Year 2009)
- TEMPTRESS (Korromalu); a Climber bred by Kordes Roses
- PENNY LANE (Hardwell); a Climber bred by Harkness Roses (Rose of the Year 1998)
- FREE SPIRIT (Fryjeru); a Floribunda bred by Fryer's Roses
- ISN'T SHE LOVELY (Diciluvit); an HT bred by Dickson Nurseries
- PERENNIAL BLUSH (Mehbarbie); a Rambler bred by Bernhard Mehring
- APHRODITE (Tan00847); an HT bred by Rosen Tantau (Glasgow International Rose Trials - Gold Medal 2009)
AWARDED IN 2009 (Trialled 2008-2009)
- ROSA BELMONTE (Harpearl); a Floribunda bred by Harkness Roses
- CANDIA MEIDILAND (Meiboulka); a Ground Cover bred by Meilland
- GOLDEN BEAUTY (Korberbeni); a Floribunda bred by Kordes Roses
- SUMMER BEAUTY (Kororbe); a Floribunda bred by Kordes Roses
- MAID OF HONOUR (Jacwhink); a Floribunda bred by Jackson & Perkins
- SWEET PARFUM DE PROVENCE (Meiclusif); an HT bred by Meilland
- SUPER TROUPER (Fryleyeca); a Floribunda bred by Fryer's Roses (Novelty Rose 2010)
- SIMPLY SALLY (Harpaint); a Patio Shrublet bred by Harkness Roses
- SUSAN DANIEL (Harlibra); a Floribunda bred by Harkness Roses
- HOME RUN (Wekcisbako); a Florishrub bred by Weeks Roses
- GEORGE BEST (Dichimanher); a Patio Rose bred by Dickson Nurseries
- STRIKE IT RICH (Wekbepmey); a Florishrub bred by Weeks Roses
- PRINCE JARDINIER (Meitroni); a Floribunda bred by Meilland
AWARDED IN 2010 (Trialled 2009-2010)
- PINK DRIFT (Meijocos); a Ground Cover bred by Meilland
- BONICA (Meidomonac); a Shrub rose bred by Meilland
- LA ROSE DE MOLINARD (Delgrarose); a Florishrub bred by Delbard
- NEWSFLASH (Kendutch); a Floribunda bred by David Kenny
- ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS (Wekvossutono); a Floribunda bred by Weeks Roses (Rose of the Year 2010)
- STRIKES' GOLD (Korsteimm); a Floribunda bred by Kordes Roses
- REBECCA MARY (Dicjury); a Floribunda bred by Dickson Nurseries
- CHARLESTON (Meikokan); an HT bred by Meilland
- THE WREN (Kormamtiza); a Floribunda bred by Kordes Roses
- KEW GARDENS (Ausfence); an English Shrub rose bred by David Austin Roses
- VIOLET CLOUD (Harquick); a Floribunda bred by Harkness Roses
- GOLD CHARM (Chewalbygold); a Climber bred by Warners' Roses
- CANDY LOVE (Meikolyma); a Floribunda bred by Meilland
AWARDED IN 2011 (Trialled 2010-2011)
- CELEBRATION TIME (Wekcobeju); a Floribunda bred by Weeks Roses
- EASY DOES IT (Harpageant); a Floribunda bred by Harkness Roses
- HAPPY DAYS (Harquad); a Patio Shrub bred by Harkness Roses
- JAM & JERUSALEM (Frymojo); a Floribunda bred by Fryer's Roses
- LET'S CELEBRATE (Fryraffles); a Floribunda bred by Fryer's Roses
- NEW BEGINNINGS (Korprofko); a Floribunda bred by Kordes Roses
- NIGHT OWL (Wekpurosot); a Floribunda bred by Weeks Roses
- PARKY (Harpresto); a Shrub Rose bred by Harkness Roses
- PINK PERFECTION (Korpauvio); an HT bred by Kordes Roses (Glasgow International Rose Trials - Fragrance Award 2012)
- SHOWMEE® MUSIC (Chewdaybell); a Ground Cover bred by Warners' Roses
- VICTORIA PENDLETON (Harpace); a Floribunda bred by Harkness Roses
- WHITE STAR® (Harquill); a Climber bred by Harkness Roses
- MIND GAMES® (Dickylie); a Floribunda bred by Dickson Nurseries
- MAXIMA ROMANTICA™ (Meikerira); a Floribunda bred by Meilland
- YOU'RE BEAUTIFUL (Fryracy); a Floribunda bred by Gareth Fryer Roses (Rose of the Year 2013)
- 'CHEWNUTURE' (Chewnuture); a Climber bred by Warners' Roses (not available)
AWARDED IN 2012 (Trialled 2011-2012)
- APPLE JACK (Kenendure); a Floribunda bred by David Kenny
- BRIGHT AS A BUTTON; (Chewsumsigns); a Ground Cover bred by Warners' Roses
- PINK PARADISE (Delfluoro); a Shrub rose bred by Delbard Roses
- POMPONELLA (Korpompan); a Shrub rose bred by Kordes Roses
- PRINCESS ANNE (Auskitchen); a Shrub rose bred by David Austin Roses
- SHOWMEE® DANCING (Chewallbell); a Ground Cover bred by Warners' Roses
- YORK MINSTER (Harquest); a Floribunda bred by Harkness Roses
- LILAC WINE (Dicmulti); a Floribunda bred by Dickson Nurseries
AWARDED IN 2013 (Trialled 2012-2013)
- ABBEYFIELD GOLD (Korquelda); an HT bred by Kordes Roses
- LOVELY PINK® (Meinoplius); a Floribunda bred by Meilland
- DIZZY HEIGHTS (Fryblissful); a Climber bred by Gareth Fryer Roses
- INES SASTRA (Meiteratol); a Climber bred by Meilland (not yet available in the UK)
- SHROPSHIRE STAR (Chewsummit); a Climber bred by Warners' Roses
AWARDED IN 2014 (Trialled 2013-2014)
- VIRGINIA MCKENNA® (Harsong); a Shrub Rose bred by Harkness Roses
- EYE OF THE TIGER (Chewbullseye); a Floribunda bred by Warners' Roses
- SMILING EYES (Chewrocko); a Shrub Rose bred by Warners' Roses
- and 2 other varieties not yet in commerce
AWARDED IN 2015 (Trialled 2014-2015)
- MIDSUMMERSNOW ® (Vissnowit); a Florishrub bred by Martin Vissers
- OLIVIA ROSE AUSTIN (Ausmixture); a Shrub Rose bred by David Austin Roses
- THE SIMPLE LIFE (Hartrifle); a Climber bred by Harkness New Roses
- LOVESTRUCK (Dicommatac); a Floribunda bred by Dickson Roses
AWARDED IN 2023 (Trialled 2021-2023)