WFRS TRIENNIAL REPORT 2018 1 WFRS TRIENNIAL REPORT ON ROSES 2018 Published for the World Federation of Rose Societies COMPILED AND EDITED BY Sheenagh Harris WORLD FEDERATION OF ROSE SOCIETIES Founded 1968 www.worldrose.org The World Federation of Rose Societies is registered in Great Britain as a company limited by guarantee and as a charity under the number 1063582. The objectives of the Society, as stated in the constitution, are: To encourage and facilitate the interchange of information about and knowledge of the rose between national rose societies. To co-ordinate the holding of international conventions and exhibitions. To encourage, and where appropriate, sponsor research into problems concerning the rose. To establish common standards for judging new rose seedlings. To assist in coordinating the registration of new rose names. To establish a uniform system of rose classification. To grant international honours and/or awards. To encourage and advance international cooperation in all other matters concerning the rose. 2 CONTENT Foreword 4 Member Country Reports 86 Preface 6 Argentina 86 Editorial 7 Australia 89 President’s Report 8 Austria 92 Immediate Past President’s Report 11 Belgium 93 WFRS Office Holders 2015-2018 12 Bermuda 96 WFRS Standing Committees 14 Canada 98 WFRS Member Country Societies 15 Chile 99 The Breeders’ Club 17 China 101 Friends of the Federation 19 Czech Republic 103 WFRS Vice Presidential Reports Denmark 104 Africa 20 Finland 107 Australasia – Australia 21 France 109 Australasia - New Zealand 22 Germany 111 Central Asia 23 Great Britain 118 Europe (N) 25 Greece 121 Europe (SE) 27 Hungary 122 Europe (S) 29 Iceland 123 Far East 31 India 125 North America - USA 34 Israel 128 North America – Can. & Ber. 35 Italy 131 South America 36 Japan 132 WFRS Standing Committee Reports 38 Luxembourg 137 Awards 38 Monaco 139 Breeder’s Club 38 The Netherlands 140 Classification & Registration 39 New Zealand 142 Conservation & Heritage Roses40 Northern Ireland 146 Convention Liaison 40 Norway 147 Honours 43 Pakistan 149 International Rose Trials 43 Poland 150 Promotions 44 Romania 151 Publication 45 Russia 153 International Judges 45 Serbia 154 By Any Other Name 46 Slovakia 155 Presidents and Editor Emeritus 47 Slovenia 156 Past Presidents of WFRS 47 South Africa 159 WFRS Awards 47 Spain 163 Honours 47 Sweden 165 Commemorative Medals 49 Switzerland 168 Literary Awards 50 United States of America 170 Award of Excellence Gardens 51 Uruguay 173 WFRS Rose Hall of Fame 52 History of Danish Rose Society 175 WFRS Old Rose Hall of Fame 57 WFRS Tributes 178 International Rose Trials 58 WFRS Presidents 179 WFRS World Rose Conventions 78 WFRS 17th World Rose Convention in Lyon, France 78 WFRS 13th Regional Rose Convention and 14th International Heritage Roses Conference - China 81 WFRS Regional Conv. in Uruguay 83 WFRS Regional Conv. in Slovenia 84 3 FOREWORD Derek Lawrence Executive Director (Great Britain) Milestones, and the subsequent celebrations in which they merit, are what enrich our lives, whether it is a special birthday, wedding anniversary or long- term service in employment. As I approach my third year in my amazing journey as Executive Director of the WFRS, I feel a great sense of pride, and indeed, privilege to be in this prestigious role during the Federation’s 50th year. I have often wondered what the role of Secretary was like half a century ago. Thumbing through the archives, can only scratch the surface. Although, initially at it’s founding in London on 4th July 1968, the organisation comprised of fourteen Member Countries and was in its infancy. However, technology was limited to the use of a telephone, typewriter, basic printer and huge metal filing cabinets. Documents would have been sent via the postal service. Fifty years on, my office is furnished by a laser printer and devices that grant access to the worldwide web. Thanks to great technological advances, we can all contact each other in an instant, wherever we reside in the world. In many ways, improved communication processes have enhanced relationships we enjoy with our worldwide members. I wonder what our forefathers would have thought of the advancements we have made in the last 50 years of our existence. With the advent of the WFRS Award of Garden Excellence, Literary Award, Breeders Club, improved International Rose Trials and digital copies of World Rose News, the rose world has become an all encompassing domain. As you delve into the Triennial Report, you will instantly realise that a great deal has been achieved within the last three years, through the immense and dedicated hard work and team spirit of the Executive and Standing Committees. We have been working on improved protocols and guidelines of how the WFRS conducts its business. In essence, it is hoped that this will secure a better understanding on how the organisation is managed. This especially is applicable for those countries which do not use English as their first language. It would be a fabulous accomplishment to encourage non-English speaking members to take an active part in the Federation’s affairs and aspirations. We must accept new challenges, in this fast- paced, ever changing world. Over the past three years many issues have been debated at great length to address our future requirements. One important subject has been the WFRS Award of Garden Excellence. It was decided to adopt a new set of rules on judging the gardens nominated, that include the owners producing a short video of the garden and to Increase the judge’s considered markings from 5 to 10 points. Discussions took place to establish a set of criteria to ensure that the standard of the winning garden will be maintained in the future. It was decided to reduce the number of winners being granted the award every three years to a maximum of ten recipients only. The Convention Committee have been looking at ways of improving communication and giving sound advice in what is involved in creating and preparing a WFRS Regional or World Rose Convention for potential organisers. A guide book has been produced on the back of feedback duly received by the Chairman of the Convention Liaison Committee, Mrs. Helga Brichet. It is hoped that it will be published later in the year. The Honours Committee have been deliberating on how it can improve and simplify the procedures, and set criteria for WFRS Honours to be considered. The final draft of its recommendations will be presented to Council in Copenhagen. 4 The Conservation and Heritage Committee have had lengthy discussions in recent years in regard to a new international and workable solution for the definition of heritage roses. During the Regional Convention held in Ljubljana, Slovenia, last year, the Committee overwhelmingly agreed to approve the proposal of a new definition, which Mr. David Elliott, of Canada had mooted. During the past three years, the Committee have debated the possibility of creating an international database, for growers to register endangered species of roses. The proposed scheme has encountered logistical and technical issues, but the Committee hopes to continue the project and reach eventual goals. The Federation continues its sterling work as an International charity. The Piaget Foundation, which is a trust fund, was formed in recognition of monies, donated by Mr. Piaget, has proved a great asset in supporting various rose-related projects. The Federation donated £5 000 to the Europa-Rosarium, Sangerhausen in Germany. The Crepin Collection at the Botanic Rose Herbarium, Belgium received £7 500. The American Rose Society plans to create a Learning Centre for young people on rose culture and £2,500 has been set aside for this worthy project. After much debate, £5 000 has been reserved for the proposed project to digitize the Federation’s archives for the benefit of future generations. Donors to the Friends of the Federation scheme now total 95 people and have contributed over £7 600 since the scheme was introduced in 2010. Plans for the Golden Jubilee celebration in Copenhagen have kept us on our toes! A competition was launched to name the charming anniversary rose, which is due to be baptised at a special ceremony during the 18th World Rose Convention in Valby Park, Copenhagen. The Publications Committee have been diligently working on a special commemorative book, to be published during the World Convention, to mark the occasion. The book will delve into the Federation’s fascinating archives, to recall 50 glorious years of the World Federation of Rose Societies. At the beginning of this Foreword, I mentioned the technological advances in communication, and wonder how the WFRS in 1968 would ever have envisaged such a huge shift in which we all conduct our global communications in the 21st Century. The huge success of our Facebook page, is just a taster for what lies ahead in the future. We must embrace this form of media, to ensure the World Federation of Rose Societies continues its charitable aims, to promote the sheer beauty of the rose and make our remarkable planet, a better and brighter place in which to live. Happy anniversary to you all. RNRS - Gardens of the Rose, Chiswell Green, St Albans 5 PREFACE Inger Schierning President of the Danish Rose Society WFRS VP for Europe (North) Convenor of A Fairytale of Roses – WRC2018 (Denmark) together with Ken Grapes, WFRS Past President - mentor and member of DRS Any organisation with a membership of forty countries across the world is notable. For a horticultural organisation concerned with a single plant genus to have such a global following is truly remarkable. I refer of course, to the World Federation of Rose Societies which will celebrate, in June 2018, its 50th anniversary at its triennial World Rose Convention in Copenhagen, the beautiful capital city of Denmark.