Local Rose History
 

 

Dicksons at Newtownards.

Northern Ireland has been a centre of rose breeding since the latter years of the 19th century when Dicksons of Newtownards came into prominence with a number of outstanding new introductions.   Famous roses produced by this nursery in the intervening years include  Shot Silk, Innisfree,Grandpa Dickson and Elina.   Success continues with Colin Dickson breeding several of the varieties chosen in the recent past as 'Rose of the Year' by the British rose trade.




Many visiting International Judges take the opportunity, during their tour, to view the latest seedling roses at Dickson's own trial ground.

 
 
 




 

Elina

   Elina

Introduced by Dickson in 1985,
this rose was added to the
World Rose Hall of Fame
during the International Rose Convention
meeting in Japan, May 2006 .

Elina is grown and enjoyed by many
throughout the world. 
 
 
 
 
 


Alexander's Issie


A rose symbolic of Mr McQueen's
memory of Isabella Blow.

Comprising a distinct pallet of coral
and peach it is testimony not simply
to her own glamour,
but also their combined passion for
the ornate and intricate.

The rose was launched at
Hampton Court Flower show
on July 5th 2010.




 
 
 
 

Introduced in 2008 and grown exclusively by Dicksons,
 Victoria Joy is stunning orange-vermillion
with yellow base growing in clusters.
 It has a bushy habit, medium height and pleasant fragrance.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

IsnSLovely
 
 

Isn't She Lovely is a very appropriate name for this rose.
  A true HT as it as it produces only single,
 full petalled blooms which are about 11.5cm in diameter.

















 
 

 George Best.  Introduced in 2007, has been named in honour
 of the late Northern Ireland footballer.
 The buds are deep red gradually opening to pinkish red.
 Blooms are abundant on a low growing bushy plant.
  Donations will be given from the sale of this rose to the
 George Best Foundation which was established to provide
   charitable funds for research into liver disease and alcoholism.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 

Absent Friends, introduced in 2006 is a fragrant floribunda
 which produces up to24 blooms per stem.
 It is of average height with vigerous growth.
 
 
 
 
 


 
 
 
 

Three Cheers produces blooms so freely that at times
 the plant is just smothered in them.
  Foliage is dense, glossy and mid-green.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

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McGredys at Portadown.

McGredys also contributed in a major way to our reputation as a rose breeding centre from the beginning of the 20th century before transferring all operations to New Zealand in 1972.   Some of the better known roses bred at Portadown and still grown in many gardens today are Mischief, Evelyn Fison, Uncle Walter and Piccadilly.










 
 



Sam McGredy, working in his nursery near Auckland,
 bred 'Simply the Best', voted U.K. 'Rose of the Year' in 2002.