The city’s first international competition delivered its prize list among the 88 varieties created for the occasion.
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The Fedolca created by a Spanish breeder won the Perfume Cup. Three professional noses from the world of perfumery have described its perfume as follows: floral rosé, baby powder, amber, musky, lychee perfume, heady. The rose has however suffered from rainy episodes in recent weeks. This tea hybrid (a kind of large-flowered rose that is used for cut roses) has caught black spot disease which has adversely affected its visual appearance.
Chantal Dervey
It is an event in the middle. The first International New Rose Competition in Nyon has delivered its prize list. If the public has not yet been able to discover, because of the coronavirus, the 88 varieties created by 27 amateur and professional breeders from 13 countries, French and Belgian specialists participated Thursday morning in the announcement of the prices, at the rose garden of City green spaces service. “This new meeting is important for the World Federation of Rose Societies,” insists its Brussels president, Henrianne de Briey. A rose that is beautiful in Switzerland, in the heart of Europe, is also likely to be beautiful elsewhere on the whole continent. ”
A year after being planted and cuddled by the city’s gardeners, the roses are of high quality, according to specialists. The high number of medals (20) attests to this. In addition, a golden rose was distributed to a creation by one of the largest German breeders. The judges, who judged its vegetation, its floral aspect, its resistance to diseases and its fragrance, awarded it 84 points out of 100. An exceptional result knowing that its total absence of perfume deprived it of 10 points out of 10 possible. This flower has a bright commercial future. It could arrive on the market at the earliest in October, probably by the summer of 2021.
The price of research
“Competitions are essential meetings for breeders”, explains Matthias Meilland, sixth generation at the head of the family business which bears his name. One of the main players on the French market, it invests 1.2 million euros per year in the research of new varieties. The recognition of a competition like that of Nyon can participate in commercial success. This may be the case with the Zepeti de Meilland, a miniature rose of a beautiful red, which received a gold medal. Gérald Meylan, the competition’s curator, praises this novelty: “It is part of today’s trend. It flowers throughout the season, it is hardy and suitable for planting in pots. ”
–The Chinook Sunrise is very close to winning the golden rose. She obtained 82 points out of 100, failing 2 small points from the first step of the podium. It was created at a Canadian research station in Lincoln, Ontario, a few kilometers from Niagara Falls. Its flower has the distinction of having an evolving color. When it hatches, it has a fairly bright orange hue, then it whitens over time. This specificity is rare and therefore highly sought after.
Chantal Dervey
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–This “Für Elise” rose was decorated with a silver medal in the category of roses with multiple flowers. Gérald Meylan recognizes the beauty of flowers, which could make a perfect bouquet for a wedding. On the other hand, the commissioner of the contest of NYON is more severe on the general appearance of the shrub. “It lacks consistency. There are two stages of flowering. ” Created by the same German breeder as the rose gold, this variety also has the same flaw: its lack of fragrance.
Chantal Dervey
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–The «starry sky» (“Starry sky in French”) won the Golden Rose of Nyon. This rose, competing in the miniature category, was praised by the judges for its very large number of flowers and its dense and healthy foliage sign of an excellent resistance to diseases. “Its only flaw is its lack of fragrance,” explains Gérald Meylan, the competition’s commissioner. She received no points for that out of a possible total of 10. Despite this, her final mark is 84 out of 100. “
Chantal Dervey
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The Nyonnaise rose garden undermines a popular belief in any case. The rose is not so fragile. If some plants are in bad shape, damaged by the heavy rains of the last weeks, most are in good health. The work of breeders in recent decades has borne fruit, since they have focused a lot on the resistance of flowers. It is now possible to grow beautiful roses without any chemical treatment. As proof, the Vaudois competition is the first in the world to have banned them completely. “In this context, the Nyon Green Space Service has done an exceptional job,” notes Henrianne de Briey.
City gardeners still have work to do. Next to their greenhouses, 90 new varieties have been planted. They will be in the running for the second edition, in June 2021. The association Les Amis de la rose de Nyon, organizer of the event, announces the presence of two roses from China, the country of origin of the queen of flowers. A rarity in international competitions.
Before that, the public will be able to discover the rose garden during two open weekends which should take place in July and August.
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