American Garden Rose Selections announces 2023 winners

Five roses take home top honors in national testing program that recognizes roses on a regional basis.

Bright Pink Flowers
Brick House Pink
Photo courtesy of Star Roses and Plants

A winning rose embodies all the characteristics consumers desire in a garden plant: beauty, fragrance, disease resistance and of course, ease of maintenance. These traits are the hallmark of the American Garden Rose Selections (AGRS) testing program, and they are proud to announce their selections for 2023.

The AGRS testing program recognizes roses that are easy to care for, disease-resistant and suitable for different regions of the country. In addition, awards are given for fragrance to help guide consumers who desire roses for their fragrance.

The 2023 AGRS winners are:

Brick House Pink – Introduced by Star Roses and Plants. Regional Choice Award in three regions – North Central, Northwest and Southwest.

OSO Easy Urban Legend – Introduced by Spring Meadow Nursery. Regional Choice Award Winner in five regions - Northeast, North Central, Southeast, South Central and Southwest.

Petite Knock Out – Introduced by Star Roses and Plants. Regional Choice Award in three regions –Northwest, South Central and Southeast

Brindabella Pink Princess - Introduced by Suntory in partnership with Dig Plant Company. Regional Choice Award Winner in three regions – South Central, Southeast, Southwest and Fragrance Award Winner.

Magnolia Memories – Introduced by Antique Rose Emporium. Fragrance Award Winner.

All roses entered into the AGRS program are tested for two years in six different geographical regions, each containing two test gardens. Additional characteristics that are evaluated include: vigor, foliage proportion, plant habit, flowering effect, rebloom habit, bloom form, aging quality of blooms, fragrance and hardiness. For a variety to be granted an award, it must demonstrate superior performance in at least three of the six regions entered.

By recognizing and recommending the best garden-worthy rose varieties for the various regions of the United States through testing, the AGRS has the goal of providing objective and reliable information to the general public.

Click here to learn more about AGRS and these roses.