The All-America Rose Selections announced the winners for 2004.

During the past two years these roses received rigorous testing in test gardens around the country. These three came through with flying colors.

The plants were evaluated for 15 different characteristics. These included plant vigor and novelty, and hardiness. In addition the flowers were tested for fragrance, form, color, and flowering effect.

All three of these new roses are perfect for cut flowers.

When you hear the name ‘Honey Perfume,’ you know it’s loaded with fragrance. Some have described the scent as spicy.

The blooms are bright apricot-yellow. They’re four inches in diameter with 25-30 petals each. The flower stems can be slightly taller than a foot in length. The blooms appear in large, open clusters on the well-branched, upright plants. Honey Perfume is a repeat bloomer. It is resistant to powdery mildew and rust. Plants are 3½ feet high and 2½ feet wide. The foliage is glossy, dark green.

The new ‘Memorial Day’ rose has a rich, damask fragrance. The clear-pink blooms with a lavender wash are a classic rose with oversized spiraled blooms five inches in diameter. Each perfect bloom has over 50 petals. The long stems are perfect for cutting.

‘Memorial Day’ is very disease resistant. It does well in hot locations. The plants are medium-tall, upright and bushy. The parentage of ‘Memorial Day’ includes ‘Blueberry Hill’ and ‘New Zealand.’ This plant is very easy to grow.

‘Day Breaker’ is a floribunda. It is noted for its bright, multi-colored blooms in shades of yellow mixed with hints of pink and apricot. The shapely buds are pointed. They open to reveal the 4-4½ inch wide, spiraled blooms. There are 30-35 petals per flower. The upright, bushy plants are several feet tall. They have dark, glossy green foliage. This plant is great for the cut flower garden because it is everblooming. The blossoms are particularly long-lasting.

The 2004 All-America Rose Selections winners should be available at local nurseries and through online or mail-order companies in time for the 2004 garden season.