FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 21, 2026
WINNERS OF THE 2025 AND 2026 AMERICAN ROSE CENTER INTERNATIONAL ROSE TRIALS ANNOUNCED
Shreveport, LA – The best roses of the American Rose Center International Rose Trials were announced at a luncheon as part of the International Trials weekend in Shreveport, Louisiana. In attendance were members of the Heritage Rose Foundation who had traveled from their conference in Tyler, Texas to participate in the Celebrity Judging of the Trials.
Rose trials have been a long-held tradition, especially in Europe. Today, there are 24 International Rose Trial locations in 16 countries around the world, including the U.S., where rose breeders offer their finest rose introductions to be grown in trial grounds for at least two years before winners are announced.
The American Rose Center initiated its International Rose Trial in 2019 as a goal of the Garden’s master plan and the Great Garden Restoration Project. Roses in the Trial are judged five times per year by a panel of experienced rose growers. The final judging, along with the public judging of the People’s Choice Award, closes with the award presentation. This year included announcements for the 2025 and 2026 Trial winners.
2025 Rose Trial Winners
ARC Gold Medal for the Dr. J. Horace McFarland Award for the Most Outstanding Rose of the Trial is ‘David Booty’. The breeder is Dr. David Zlesak and the rose will be introduced this fall by High Country Roses. Double-cupped blooms in shades of cream edged in warm pink grace this well-branched, mounded miniature. Named in honor of a late American Rose Society member. ‘David Booty’ also won the Dr. Jim Hering Award for the Best Miniature Rose and The American Rose Center People’s Choice Award. (PHOTO TOP LEFT)
Thigpen-Herold Heirs Award for Best Hybrid Tea is ‘Fine Gold’. The breeder is Ping Lim and the rose will be introduced by Altman Roses. ‘Fine Gold’ features creamy white-edged petals with a rich yellow center, producing blooms with up to 45+ petals and size up to 3.5 inches in diameter. It carries a sweet, rosy fragrance and grows to about 4 feet tall with a compact, upright hybrid tea (HT) habit. (PHOTO BOTTOM LEFT)
Volunteers of America’s Rose Garden Award for Best Shrub-Groundcover is ‘Forever & Ever® Pink’, bred by Christian Bedard and introduced by Weeks Roses. The rose has deep pink petals with a rich tea fragrance and is excellent for borders and mass plantings. (PHOTO TOP RIGHT)
The American Rose Center Committee Award for the Best Shrub-Landscape Rose is ‘Bubblegum Mist™’, bred by Dr. David Zlesak. Abundant clusters of double pink, small blooms cover this compact, mounded shrub rose. The flowers are well-
spaced and give the plant a unique, airy feel. It is a great choice for borders, containers, and in mixed plantings with other compact growing plants. (PHOTO BOTTOM RIGHT)
2026 Rose Trial Winners
ARC GOLD MEDAL for the Dr. J. Horace McFarland Award for the Most Outstanding Rose of the Trial is ‘1000 Wishes’. The breeder is Andrew Borocco and the rose has been introduced by Antique Rose Emporium. ‘1000 Wishes’ is classed as a shrub rose with large billowing, carefree roses with large, single pink flowers. ‘1000 Wishes’ also won the American Rose Center Committee Award for Best Shrub – Landscape Rose. (PHOTO TOP LEFT)
Other award-winning roses included:
Dr. Joseph & Marion Klima Award For Best Garden Impression Rose: ‘Easy Bee-zy Knock Out®’, bred by Star Roses. This landscape shrub features fragrant yellow flowers that repeat bloom throughout the season. It is a great selection for pollinator gardens. (PHOTO BOTTOM LEFT AND START OF THE ARTICLE)
Dr. Jim Hering Award for the Best Miniature Rose: ‘Diane Sommers’, bred by James Sproul and introduced by Antique Rose Emporium. This miniature rose features bold, unique coloring. The color along with a compact 2X3’ size makes it a great addition in the flower garden. Disease resistant and hardy in zones 5-11. (PHOTO TOP RIGHT)
American Rose Center People’s Choice Award: ‘Orange Glow™ Knock Out®’, bred by William Radler and introduced by Star Roses. ‘Orange Glow Knock Out’ features luminous orange flowers that bloom repeatedly from spring to frost in zones 4-11. (PHOTO BOTTOM RIGHT)
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Media Contact: Beth Smiley, Executive Director • beth@americanrosecenter.org • 318-383-3570
The American Rose Center – the nation’s largest park dedicated to roses – features more than 6,000 rose bushes – this translates into more than 400 different types of roses in one place. The grounds also include various sculptures and water features. “America’s Rose Garden” is located at 8877 Jefferson Paige Road in Shreveport, Louisiana, will be open Wednesday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM and Saturday and Sunday 8 AM to 12 PM, April 1 through October 31. Admission is $5 per person. There are sometimes weather exceptions, please visit www.americanrosecenter.org or follow us on social media to get the most up-to-date information.
