Weeks Roses has earned a solid reputation for quality and variety in the rose industry. If you’re a rose enthusiast, you’ve likely come across their stunning creations.
This article will take a closer look at the history of Weeks Roses, the different types of roses they offer, and the impact they’ve had on the world of gardening.
We’ll explore the company’s origins, highlight some of their most popular and award-winning varieties, and discuss their contributions to rose breeding and cultivation.
The History and Legacy of Weeks Roses
Weeks Roses has been around for more than 80 years.
Founding and Early Years
O.L. Weeks, an expert in commercial horticulture and a well-respected rosarian, founded Weeks Roses in 1938 along with his wife, Verona. In its early years, Weeks Roses was a family-run business.
Growth and Expansion
Over the decades, Weeks Roses grew into a multi-million-dollar enterprise with more than 1,200 acres of production facilities in California and Arizona.
Weeks Roses is now part of International Garden Products, Inc. (IGP), a company that includes several other well-known plant brands.
Weeks Roses: Research and Development
Weeks Roses has a long history of developing and introducing new rose varieties. Here’s a look at their research and development process:
The Art of Rose Breeding
Each year, Weeks’s team hand-pollinates around 50,000 rose blooms. That process yields approximately 250,000 seeds each year. It’s a meticulous process that requires dedication and skill.
Evaluation and Selection
Once new rose varieties have sprouted, they go through a rigorous evaluation that can last 8 to 10 years. During that time, the Weeks team looks at factors like disease resistance, bloom quality, and overall plant performance to select the best varieties.
Promising varieties are submitted to All-America Rose Selections (AARS) trials. AARS was a nonprofit association of rose experts and growers that tested new rose varieties in different climates and growing conditions across the United States. Although AARS is no longer active, the designation “AARS Winner” is still considered a mark of quality in the rose world.
Popular Weeks Roses Varieties
Weeks Roses has developed a huge catalog of roses over the years. Here are a few popular varieties to consider.
Award-Winning Varieties
Weeks Roses has produced many award winners, including:
- Mister Lincoln. This hybrid tea rose is known for its classic form, intense red color, and strong fragrance.
- Angel Face. This floribunda rose is prized for its ruffled lavender petals and strong citrusy scent.
Variety Showcase
Weeks Roses offers a wide range of colors, forms, and fragrances, as you can see from these popular varieties:
- About Face. A grandiflora rose with a unique blend of bronze and orange hues.
- Betty Boop. A floribunda rose with a playful combination of creamy white and red stripes.
- Cinco de Mayo. A floribunda rose with smoky lavender-red blooms and a spicy fragrance.
These varieties represent just a small sampling of the different rose classifications Weeks Roses offers, including hybrid tea, floribunda, grandiflora, and climber roses.
Summary
Weeks Roses has made a tremendous contribution to the rose industry. The company is known for its commitment to quality, its innovative spirit, and the sheer variety of roses it offers to home gardeners and commercial growers.
Weeks Roses has a long and fascinating history, and its legacy continues to grow. If you’re looking for beautiful, healthy roses for your own garden, you can’t go wrong by exploring the many varieties available from Weeks Roses.