ASHS 2025 Conference

The American Rose Trials for Sustainability® (A.R.T.S.®) program trials roses throughout the US and is in its ninth year of announcing winning roses. Roses are evaluated monthly during the growing season for floral attributes (42.5% of score), foliar health and quality (45% of score), and growth habit (12.5% of score). Over the two-year trial, roses are grown using minimal inputs (i.e. no pesticides, no deadheading, moderate irrigation, etc.). Entries that score equal to or higher than the regional average of the control cultivars (Double Knock Out® [‘RADtko’] and Sunrise Sunset™ [‘BAIset’]) and have >50% survival by the end of the trial period, earn Local Artist awards based on Köppen climate region. Roses winning in four or more regions earn the added distinction of the Master Rose award. The 2026 award winning roses were trialed in 2023 and 2024. Six US Köppen climate regions were represented (Cfa, Cfb, Csa, Dfa, Dfb, and H) . Three roses won 2026 A.R.T.S.® Master Rose awards: Dessert First™ ('DD987-1'; Csa, Dfa, Dfb, and H), Ruby Red™ ('MEIzilena'; Csa, Dfa, Dfb, and H), and Blushing Drift® ('MEIfranjin'; Cfa, Cfb, Dfa, Dfb, and H). Eleven roses won 2026 A.R.T.S.® Local Artist awards: Celeste BlueSky™ ('P2046L'; Csa and Dfa), Easy Spirit™ ('WEKmereadoit'; Csa and H), Elizabeth® (AUSMajesty'; Cfa and Csa), Julie Andrews ('DELfluros'; Dfa), Maurice Utrillo™ ('DELstavo'; Csa), Patriot Dream™ ('BAIdre'; Dfa), Reminiscent® Coral ('BOZfra221'; Dfa), Ringo® Double Pink ('CHEWDelight', Csa abd Dfa), True Confidence™ ('FS118T'; Dfa), True Crush™ ('ESR015T'; Dfb), and White Lies™ ('POT3', H). Performance data will be provided by region for the two control and fourteen winning rose cultivars.