RHS Experts reveal the results of big rose review

A refreshed list for today’s gardens

Following a major Rose (Rosa) review organised by the RHS Woody Expert Group at RHS Garden Wisley, Surrey, in October 2025, the panel of experts has updated the RHS Recommended: Award of Garden Merit list to better reflect the health, reliability and availability of roses for modern growing conditions. Sadly, a few long‑loved names were among those rescinded, like Rosa ‘Just Joey’ (HT), Rosa ICEBERG (‘Korbin’) (F), Rosa SILVER ANNIVERSARY (‘Poulari’) (HT) and Rosa PENNY LANE (‘Hardwell’) (ClHT).

Key takeaways:

• 209 roses were reconfirmed, celebrating varieties that consistently perform well for home gardeners
• 105 roses were removed from the RHS Recommended: AGM list where they no longer met criteria, ensuring the list remains focused on roses that thrive today
• 16 roses were retained pending further information, with the panel recommending additional research before a final decision

This refresh means gardeners can be more confident that when they choose an award-winning rose, they’re selecting a healthy, high-performing plant that’s readily available.

Why the review matters

Bright red roses flourishing in the RHS Wisley trial beds, 2021–2024

The RHS Recommended: AGM list of 332 roses has grown through rolling reviews since 1993. The first RHS Rose Trial took place at RHS Wisley between 2021 and 2024, focusing on red-flowered roses within the

A plant produced by crossing two distinct parents, often different species, to produce offspring that combine the characteristics of both. Hybrids can occur naturally, but crosses are often made deliberately by plant breeders to produce plants with better yield, improved flowering or vigour, or improved disease resistance.

How the panel made decisions

A forum assessment meeting at RHS Wisley reviewed the existing RHS Recommended: AGM list, bringing together rose specialists from across breeding, trials, writing and design. The roundtable judges were Daniel Myhill (Chair), Janice Shipp, Ian Kennedy, Kerry Austen, Liam Beddall, Marilyn Stevens, Mark Rowe, Michael Marriott, Oliver Ongley and Gillian Taylor, with expertise drawn from organisations including David Austin Roses, Roses UK and Rochfords International Rose Trials.

Panel members pre‑reviewed the list in sections, proposed entries to reconfirm or rescind and submitted comments. At the meeting, the group discussed the recommendations and held a final vote, applying the RHS Recommended: AGM criteria:

• Easy to grow and reliable in normal garden conditions
• Readily available to buy in garden centres or online
• Healthy, robust plants with strong growth and appearance
• True to type, maintaining consistent shape, colour and form
• Reasonably resistant to common pests and diseases

Streamlining roses that are no longer in trade

To ensure the RHS Recommended: AGM list reflects plants gardeners can actually buy, the panel used the British Association of Rose Breeders (BARB) database and grower information to confirm availability. From this, 18 rose plants were identified as no longer in the trade, including:

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa spinosissima 'Andrewsii'

<em>Rosa</em> <em>spinosissima</em> 'Andrewsii'

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Silver Ghost ('Kormifari'^PBR) (S)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Silver Ghost</span> ('Kormifari'^PBR) (S)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa 'Madame Knorr' (DPo)

<em>Rosa</em> 'Madame Knorr' (DPo)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Crown Princess Margareta ('Auswinter'^PBR) (Cl)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Crown Princess Margareta</span> ('Auswinter'^PBR) (Cl)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Graham Thomas ('Ausmas') (S)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Graham Thomas</span> ('Ausmas') (S)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Newly Wed ('Dicwhynot'^PBR) (Patio)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Newly Wed</span> ('Dicwhynot'^PBR) (Patio)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Wild Thing ('Jactoose'^PBR) (S)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Wild Thing</span> ('Jactoose'^PBR) (S)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Soft Cover ('Poultco10') (Min)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Soft Cover</span> ('Poultco10') (Min)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Pink Drift ('Meijocos'^PBR) (GC)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Pink Drift</span> ('Meijocos'^PBR) (GC)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa 'Daisy Hill' ('Macrantha' hybrid)

<em>Rosa</em> 'Daisy Hill' ('Macrantha' hybrid)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa 'Beau Narcisse' (G)

<em>Rosa</em> 'Beau Narcisse' (G)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Teasing Georgia ('Ausbaker'^PBR) (Cl)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Teasing Georgia</span> ('Ausbaker'^PBR) (Cl)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Lady Emma Hamilton ('Ausbrother'^PBR) (S)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lady Emma Hamilton</span> ('Ausbrother'^PBR) (S)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Claret ('Frykristal'^PBR) (HT)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Claret</span> ('Frykristal'^PBR) (HT)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Charlotte ('Auspoly'^PBR) (S)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Charlotte</span> ('Auspoly'^PBR) (S)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Munstead Wood ('Ausbernard'^PBR) (S)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Munstead Wood</span> ('Ausbernard'^PBR) (S)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa A Shropshire Lad ('Ausled') (S)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">A Shropshire Lad</span> ('Ausled') (S)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Crocus Rose ('Ausquest'^PBR) (S)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Crocus Rose</span> ('Ausquest'^PBR) (S)

This step helps keep the RHS Recommended: AGM list practical for gardeners, focusing recommendations on varieties they can find and grow.

What changed and why

Rosa ‘Silver Anniversary’ in full bloom, showcasing its delicate silver-pink petals

In addition to availability, the panel refined the RHS Recommended: AGM list based on plant health and performance. Many awards were rescinded because the roses were unhealthy, prone to blackspot, rust or mildew, and often defoliated or lacked vigour. Others no longer met modern garden standards because they produced too few blooms or repeat flowered poorly. In a few cases, plants performed poorly in trials, declined in vigour over time or suffered from confusion in their identity.

​While a few cherished names were among those rescinded, such as ​Rosa ‘Just Joey’ (HT) (removed from the Royal Parks), Rosa ICEBERG (‘Korbin’) (F) (well known but prone to health problems), Rosa SILVER ANNIVERSARY (‘Poulari’) (HT) (not as healthy today) and Rosa PENNY LANE (‘Hardwell’) (ClHT) (vigour decreasing; Rose of the Year 1998), the overall outcome is positive. The updated RHS Recommended: AGM list now highlights roses that genuinely thrive for home gardeners and suit today’s changing growing conditions.

Retained pending further information

For a small group of 16 roses, often less widely known, the panel looked at health and performance and recommended keeping the award for these while looking for more information from breeders or trials to make a definitive decision in the future:

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Golden Future ('Horanymoll'^PBR) (ClHT)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Golden Future</span> ('Horanymoll'^PBR) (ClHT)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa × alba 'Alba Maxima' (A)

<em>Rosa</em> × <em>alba</em> 'Alba Maxima' (A)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Wild Edric ('Aushedge'^PBR) (Ru)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Wild Edric</span> ('Aushedge'^PBR) (Ru)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Let's Celebrate ('Fryraffles'^PBR) (F)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Let's Celebrate</span> ('Fryraffles'^PBR) (F)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Little Rambler ('Chewramb') (MinRa)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Little Rambler</span> ('Chewramb') (MinRa)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa 'Schneezwerg' (Ru)

<em>Rosa</em> 'Schneezwerg' (Ru)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Love & Peace ('Baipeace'^PBR) (HT)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Love & Peace</span> ('Baipeace'^PBR) (HT)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Special Anniversary ('Whastiluc'^PBR) (HT)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Special Anniversary</span> ('Whastiluc'^PBR) (HT)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Aphrodite ('Tan00847'^PBR) (S)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Aphrodite</span> ('Tan00847'^PBR) (S)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Pretty in Pink ('Dicumpteen'^PBR) (GC)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Pretty in Pink</span> ('Dicumpteen'^PBR) (GC)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Sweet Dream ('Fryminicot') (Patio)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Sweet Dream</span> ('Fryminicot') (Patio)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa × alba 'Alba Semiplena' (A)

<em>Rosa</em> × <em>alba</em> 'Alba Semiplena' (A)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Gordon's College ('Cocjabby'^PBR) (F)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Gordon's College</span> ('Cocjabby'^PBR) (F)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa 'Fantin-Latour' (Ce)

<em>Rosa</em> 'Fantin-Latour' (Ce)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Lady of Shalott ('Ausnyson'^PBR) (S)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lady of Shalott</span> ('Ausnyson'^PBR) (S)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Strawberry Hill ('Ausrimini'^PBR) (Cl)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Strawberry Hill</span> ('Ausrimini'^PBR) (Cl)

This careful approach keeps the RHS Recommended: AGM list evidence‑led while ensuring promising roses aren’t excluded prematurely.

Top tips for growing roses today

© Shutterstock

New roses establish best when watered deeply rather than frequently

Whether you’re choosing a newly reconfirmed award-winning rose or refreshing a bed, these expert-backed tips from Daniel Myhill, Head of Breeding at David Austin Roses, will help your plants thrive:

1. The right rose for the right place: Choosing the most appropriate rose is important. There’s no point trying to contain an 18ft rambling rose on a 6ft fence. Instead, choose a reliable repeat-flowering climbing rose that will be far easier to manage
2. Keep your roses nourished: Roses respond well to spring
   Mulch is a layer of material, at least 5cm (2in) thick, applied to the soil surface in late autumn to late winter (Nov-Feb). It is used to provide frost protection, improve plant growth by adding nutrients or increasing organic matter content, reducing water loss from the soil, for decorative purposes and suppressing weeds. Examples include well-rotted garden compost and manure, chipped bark, gravel, grit and slate chippings.

   mulching with homemade compost, which often removes the need for routine feeding; reserve fertiliser for plants showing poor growth or on light soils. Container‑grown roses usually need extra nutrients, so pair peat‑free compost with organic liquid feeds from spring to autumn
3. Embrace the imperfections: Roses are a part of nature and will, from time to time, have an aphid on them or be nibbled by a leaf-cutter bee. Most imperfections are immaterial to the overall enjoyment of the rose and help build a balanced ecosystem in gardens
4. Give roses space to grow: In the first couple of years when planting a rose, give it space to grow, so don’t plant too closely. This will help with air circulation to minimise disease as well
5. Water newly planted roses in the ground deeply: Better to give a full watering can once every week or two, than a little every day, as it will help the roots to penetrate deeply to find their own moisture

Daniel’s stand out roses

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Open Arms ('Chewpixcel'^PBR) (ClMin)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Open Arms</span> ('Chewpixcel'^PBR) (ClMin)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Mary Delany ('Ausorts'^PBR) (S)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Mary Delany</span> ('Ausorts'^PBR) (S)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Golden Beauty ('Korberbeni'^PBR) (F)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Golden Beauty</span> ('Korberbeni'^PBR) (F)

The RHS Award of Garden Merit (AGM) helps gardeners choose the best plants for their garden.
Wild bees and other pollinators are in decline. The Plants for Pollinators initiative helps gardeners easily identify plants that encourage them back into the garden

Rosa Lovestruck ('Dicommatac') (F)

<em>Rosa</em> <span style="font-variant: small-caps;">Lovestruck</span> ('Dicommatac') (F)

What happens next

Over the coming months, the RHS will update plant profiles, removing RHS Recommended: AGM status where appropriate and reflecting the panel’s recommendations. These changes may take time to cascade through the trade. The retained group will be reassessed with breeders and experts, and the RHS is exploring future rose trials to ensure that award recommendations keep pace with availability and a changing climate.

This review focused solely on existing award-winning roses and did not assess new cultivars, so it represents just one part of the process. Some new roses have already been added through the adoption of winners from the Rochford International Rose Trials, with further work planned to identify additional roses for inclusion on the award list.