What Roses Won the Olympics for 2025? AGRS WINNERS Here

By Jill Brooke

Rose lovers here is a gift.

As someone who grows so many roses on my farm, it is now predictable to see the best performers end up being an American Garden Rose Selection. This is why I take keen interest in the following announcement. Their uber-experienced team of judges have just announced the American Garden Rose Selections 2025 Winners.  

Included in the winning selections  is a rose called “Like No Other.” This is often true for all of these winning roses. 

The AGRS™ testing program is renowned for its thorough evaluation process, which assesses roses based on their performance in different regions, disease resistance, and overall health. The winners of the 2025 AGRS™ selections have excelled in all these areas, showcasing their ability to thrive and enchant in a variety of settings. Gardeners, landscapers, and rose enthusiasts can look forward to add these winners to their backyards and gardens.

“We are proud to recognize these exceptional roses for their outstanding beauty, fragrance, and resilience,” said Pat Shanley, Chairwoman of AGRS™. “Each of these winners has demonstrated exceptional qualities that make them stand out as top performers in our rigorous testing program. These roses represent the best of the best, and we are excited to see the joy and beauty they bring to gardens across the country.”

And I promise, these flowers reliably bring bursts of color, strength and tons of flowers to your garden. Among my favorites in my garden from past years include Sweet Spirit – the fragrance is so special. Another favorite is Sunset Horizon. Blooms with an explosion of colors.

Can’t wait to check out these new winners.

The American Garden Rose Selections 2025 Winners. ​

1.1000 Wishes™

Regional Choice Award in four regions: Northwest, South Central, Southeast and Southwest. Created by Mike Shoup. Introduced by the Antique Rose Emporium.

2.Firefly™
Regional Choice Award in four regions: North Central, Northwest, South Central, Southwest and Fragrance Award. Created by Ping Lim. Introduced by Altman Plants.

3.Like No Other™
Regional Choice Award in three regions: Northwest, South Central, Southwest. Created by Christian Bedard. Introduced by Jackson & Perkins.

4.Soaring to Glory™
Regional Choice Award in three regions: Northwest, South Central, Southwest. Created by Keith Zary. Introduced by Jackson & Perkins.

5.Ruby Red™
Regional Choice Award in four regions: North Central, Northwest, South Central, Southwest. Created by Meilland Roses. Introduced by Star Roses® and Plants.

6.Fiesta Veranda™
Regional Choice Award in three regions: NW, SC, SW. created by Kordes Roses. Introduced by Star Roses® and Plants.

7.Blushing Drift™
Regional Choice Award in all six regions. Created by Meilland Roses. Introduced by Star Roses® and Plants.

8.Grand Baby™
Regional Choice Award in three regions: North Central, Northwest, Southwest. Created by Mike Shoup. Introduced by the Antique Rose Emporium.

9.Brindabella Crimson Knight™
Regional Choice Award in three regions: Northwest, South Central, Southwest and Fragrance Award. Created by Sylvia E & John C Gray. Introduced by Dig Plants Company & Suntory Flowers.

When you are looking for color waves in your garden, any of these options will be great performers. Although one can plant roses in spring, I still like getting them into their new “homes” for fall plantings.

 

Jill Brooke is a former CNN correspondent, Post columnist and editor-in-chief of Avenue and Travel Savvy magazine. She is an author and the editorial director of FPD and a contributor to Florists Review magazine. She also won the 2023 AIFD (American Institute of Floral Designers.) Merit Award for showing how flowers impact history, news and culture