THE GUIDE TO WHO GROWS WHAT - Roses UK

GENERAL INFORMATION
(a) TRYING TO IDENTIFY AN UNKNOWN VARIETY?
Find That Rose! cannot help identify an unlabelled variety. If you have such a variety and wish to have it
identified then many Growers will endeavour to name the variety. Once you have made contact with a grower
who is prepared to help, arrange to send or take bloom(s). You maybe charged a fee. Do take care when
sending to pack the rose with care and include some foliage. Give as much information as you can, such as
flowering period, type (bush, climber etc) and an idea of age.
VARIETIES NOT LISTED – INCLUDING CUT FLOWER VARIETIES
The vast majority of varieties produced in the U.K. are listed in Find That Rose! Every year some old favourites
for various reasons disappear. These reasons include a lack of popularity; health or quality of plants which can
be produced. If your favourite is missing a grower will be pleased to advise you on an alternative.
Cut flower varieties. If you are seeking a variety, which has been in a bouquet or arrangement, and it is not
listed in Find That Rose! it is unlikely to be suitable for growing in a garden.
(b) BRITISH ROSE GROWERS’ ASSOCIATION
The British Rose Growers Association is a Trade Group within The Horticultural Trades Association and is open
to all specialist rose producers. Details of membership of the HTA and the BRGA are available from 19 High
Street, Theale, Reading RG7 5AH.
The HTA provide secretarial and administrative services for the BRGA. The contact is Mrs Alison Smith and she
can be contacted on alison.smith@the-hta.org.uk. There is also another email address that can be used by the
membership and that is info@the-hta.org.uk. The telephone number of the HTA/BRGA is 0118 9303132 and
fax 0118 9323453.
BRGA members have free entry into Find That Rose! and members exclusively make up the trade stands within
the Festival of Roses at the Hampton Court Flower Show. The Association is part of a consortium within the
industry (RosesUK) promoting roses and in particular the Rose of The Year.
Whilst individual members are only too happy to give professional help to the public, the Association as a body
is unable to offer such a service, nor can it help with the naming of new varieties.
(c) ROYAL NATIONAL ROSE SOCIETY
The Society, a Registered Charity 1035848, aims to encourage, improve and extend the science, art and
practice of rose growing. It holds regular amateur competitions and shows throughout the country. Its
headquarters are at The Gardens of the Rose, Chiswell Green, St. Albans, Hertfordshire AL2 3NR. Benefits of
Society membership include three copies of the magazine “The Rose” each year plus an annual at Christmas.
On joining members receive a pack of complimentary publications and details of other notable gardens, which
can be visited on production of membership cards. Advice and information on various aspects of rose growing
are available form the Society HQ. The Society also maintains a library containing many rare books. This is
currently being re-catalogued and members wishing to use this facility should contact HQ. The Gardens of the
Rose are undergoing extensive refurbishment works and it is hoped they will reopen fully to the public in 2007.
Please telephone 01727 850461, fax 01727 850360 or email: mail@rnrs.org.uk for Members visiting times.
(d) EXPORTING ROSES
Many members are happy to send roses to the EU, as no Health (Phytosanitary) Certificate is required. Other
countries are more demanding requiring exporting Growers to have a Growing Season Inspection Certificate,
and some also require a soil sample test for freedom from Potato Eel Worm cysts e.g. USA. At the time of
dispatch the Ministry of Agriculture returns to inspect the plants, and issues a Phytosanitary Certificate (which
must accompany the roses). Whilst all these arrangements are made by the Grower, if an importing Country
demands an Import Permit this is usually left to the purchaser to obtain by contacting the importing countries
Ministry of Agriculture. The cost of being involved in exporting is high, and it is difficult for a Grower to justify or
recover such costs. For full details of members exporting see their individual details pages 58-65. It should also
be noted that some countries regulations make it impossible to send roses at all. Equally some varieties
produced under license cannot be sent without the Breeders permission. Most members are reluctant to export
Standard roses.
65
SECTION FOUR