Alexandra Farms Names Winners of Garden Rose Design Contest

By Jill Brooke

Alexandra Farms, the world’s largest grower of fresh-cut garden roses, just announced the winners of their fifth annual Garden Rose Design Contest. Entries were accepted in two categories: Wedding Work and Everyday Design, and hundreds of entries were submitted by designers from around the world.

The criteria of course was to utilize their plump, sensual dreamy roses in designs. Interesting how their reader choices opted for simpler monochromatic colors while the judges preferred blends that coalesced seamlessly in such lovely ways.

The judges were Jose R. Azout, the dynamic on the go president of Alexandra Farms and David J.C. Austin, managing director of David Austin Roses. After all, David relies on Jose to grow and nurture their award-winning roses that consumers just adore. Also in the judges lineup was the indefatigable Holly Heider Chapple, owner of Holly Chapple Flowers and Hope Flower Farm and the founder of Chapel Designers.

Designs were evaluated on three criteria: how garden roses were used, photo quality and the overall design aesthetic and composition. The Readers’ Choice Award winners were chosen by the public through an anonymous online vote.

In each category, the first-place winner will receive an all-expense-paid trip for two to Alexandra Farms. How cool is that. Second place and Readers’ Choice winners will receive 1,000 stems of garden roses; third place winners will receive 500 stems of garden roses.

Everyday Design category

1st place: Elizabeth Miller, Houston, TX, USA
Garden rose varieties: Princess Miyuki and Juliet (Ausjameson)
Photographer: Elizabeth Miller

2nd place: Janelle Gerestein, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Garden rose varieties: Keira (Ausboxer) and Sola Spr
Photographer: Castaño Films

3rd place: Wendy Mercer, Spotsylvania, VA, USA
Garden rose varieties: Mariatheresia
Photographer: Lindsey Snavely

Readers’ Choice: Dolores Vlad, Highland Park, IL, USA
Garden rose varieties: Precious Moments
Photographer: Dolores Vlad

Wedding Work category

1st place: Katya Hutter, Amsterdam, North Holland, Netherlands
Garden rose varieties: 12 David Austin Wedding Roses varieties
Photographer: Sandra Von Riekhoff

2nd place: Samantha Fitzgerald, Smithfield, VA, USA
Garden rose varieties: Juliet (Ausjameson), Keira (Ausboxer) and Quicksand
Photographer: Cat Deline

3rd place: Galina Serebriakova, Bogotá, Colombia
Garden rose varieties: Princess Hitomi, Just Peachy Spr and Bridal Piano
Photographer: Katerina Ponik

Readers’ Choice: Justine Chapura, Fort Worth, TX, USA
Garden rose varieties: Leonora (Auswagsy) and Patience (Auspastor)
Photographer: Ashlea Snell