Rosa Eskelund wins top accolades at prestigious rose competitions in Monaco, Germany and France

This summer, Danish rose breeder Rosa Eskelund—trading under the company name Roses Forever—has scooped up prestigious awards at three top rose competitions across Europe.

At the 7th edition of the Concours International de Roses Nouvelles de Monaco (Monaco’s international new roses competition) held in the Princesse Grace rose garden on 2 May, Eskelund won a gold medal for Rosa ‘Herman Salling  Plant’n’Relax Syn. Orange Sunrise Plant’n’Relax’.

Rosa ‘Herman Salling  Plant’n’Relax Syn. Orange Sunrise Plant’n’Relax’.

In Monaco, the competition was fierce as 30 breeders from 10 countries submitted 76 varieties for judging.

On 30 May, Eskelund travelled to Paris to attend the 16th SNHF Grand Prix de la Rose awards ceremony, which was held at the town hall of Paris’ 7th arrondissement.

SNHF stands for the Societé Nationale d’Horticulture de France, France’s national horticultural society.

Rosa ‘Royal Estelle Plant’n’Relax’.

Its president, Jean-Pierre Gueneau, presented Eskelund with a Grand Prix Award for Rosa ‘Royal Estelle Plant’n’Relax’, named after the daughter of Sweden’s crown princess, Victoria.  The jury praised the variety’s large flowers in soft pink that open widely, acting as a magnet for pollinators. France’s Grand Prix de la Rose is a prestigious contest with new varieties being tested in seven national parks: Annecy, Bordeaux, l’Hay-les-Roses, Marseille, Montpellier, Nancy and Rennes.

On 18 June, Eskelund made her way to the stage at the awards ceremony of the iconic rose competition held in Baden-Baden, Germany.

Awards ceremony Baden-Baden.

The top accolade, Goldene Rose von Baden-Baden, went to Rosa ‘Darling’ from breeder Noack from Gutersloh. Eskelund earned the Baden-Baden Casino Award for her Rosa ‘Herman Salling’ Syn ‘Orange Sunrise Plant’n’Relax’.

Two days later, on 20 June, Eskelund took home awards for best landscaping rose at the Concours International de Roses de Paysage de Bagatelle, an annual landscaping rose competition held in the Bagatelle park in Paris. Now in its 117th year, Bagatelle’s rose competition is arguably the oldest rose contest in the world. This year’s guest of honour was the president of the World Federation of Rose Societies (WFRS), Diane vom Berg, who was at hand to present the awards.

WFRS president Diane vom Berg presents Rosa Eskelund with the certificate.

Bagatelle’s top accolade went to Kordes’ Rosa ‘Here Comes The Sun’, whose drop-dead gorgeous looks, subtle fragrance and overall plant health impressed the jury.

Rosa floribunda  ‘The Matador Plant’n’Relax’.

The jury also praised Eskelund’s award-winning Rosa floribunda  ‘The Matador Plant’n’Relax’ for its weather resistance. ‘The Matador’ was truly tested as it rained constantly this spring and summer in Paris.

Rosa ‘What a Wonderful World’ in the Bagatelle Park.

Rosa ‘What a Wonderful World Plant’n’Relax’, also a floribunda type, also won an award for the best landscaping rose. This rose is equally weatherproof and features large flowers.