Guide to the World's Most Famous Rose Breeders
Here's a guide to some of the world's most famous rose breeders, whose innovations have shaped the beauty, diversity, and popularity of roses today.
1. David Austin (United Kingdom)
Notable Contributions: Creator of the "English Roses" — hybrids that combine the beauty and fragrance of old garden roses with the repeat flowering and wide color palette of modern varieties.
Famous Roses:
Gertrude Jekyll
Graham Thomas
The Generous Gardener
Legacy: Revolutionized modern rose breeding and brought fragrance and romance back into rose gardens worldwide.
2. Meilland International (France)
Notable Contributions: A French rose breeding dynasty, best known for creating roses that are both disease-resistant and beautiful.
Famous Roses:
Peace (a symbol of hope after WWII)
Papa Meilland
Yves Piaget
Legacy: Peace is considered one of the most famous roses ever bred, launched during WWII and promoted worldwide as a symbol of peace.
3. Kordes Roses (Germany)
Notable Contributions: Leaders in disease-resistant and cold-hardy roses; have largely phased out chemical treatments in breeding.
Famous Roses:
Iceberg (Schneewittchen)
Lions-Rose
Pomponella
Legacy: Pioneers in sustainable rose breeding, making roses easier to grow without pesticides.
4. Jackson & Perkins (USA)
Notable Contributions: One of America’s oldest and most prolific commercial rose producers.
Famous Roses:
Queen Elizabeth
Mister Lincoln
Fourth of July
Legacy: Popularized roses through mail-order catalogs in the 20th century, introducing innovative hybrids to the masses.
5. Tantau Roses (Germany)
Notable Contributions: Breeders of large-flowered hybrid teas and floribundas, often known for elegant form and vivid color.
Famous Roses:
Super Star (Tropicana)
Augusta Luise
Caramella
Legacy: Known for consistent quality and show roses, often seen in exhibitions and competitions.
6. Delbard Roses (France)
Notable Contributions: Combine artistic flair with horticultural precision. Known for color, fragrance, and painter-inspired collections.
Famous Roses:
Claude Monet
Parfum de Grasse
Alain Souchon
Legacy: Infused the world of roses with artistry, often naming varieties after artists, perfumers, and musicians.
7. Tom Carruth (USA)
Notable Contributions: One of America’s leading modern hybridizers, formerly head breeder at Weeks Roses.
Famous Roses:
Julia Child
Hot Cocoa
Strike It Rich
Legacy: Winner of numerous All-America Rose Selections (AARS) awards; known for vibrant colors and fragrance.
8. Pedro Dot (Spain)
Notable Contributions: Known for vibrant-colored hybrid teas and early contributions to miniatures.
Famous Roses:
Nevada
Condesa de Sástago
Legacy: One of Spain’s most revered rose breeders, his work bridges tradition and innovation.
9. Joseph Pernet-Ducher (France)
Notable Contributions: Known as the "father of the modern yellow rose."
Famous Roses:
Soleil d’Or
Mme Caroline Testout
Legacy: Brought new colors into rose breeding, particularly yellows and oranges, which were previously rare.
10. William Paul (United Kingdom)
Notable Contributions: A 19th-century British breeder and writer; contributed to hybrid perpetuals and early hybrid teas.
Famous Roses:
Paul’s Lemon Pillar
Legacy: His work laid the groundwork for many modern roses and his publications influenced generations of rose growers.
