The Thorny Business of Global Rose Trade: Why Your Favorite Bloom Might Be Hard to Find

As a rose enthusiast and rose blogger for The Smell of Roses, I've often encountered the frustration of readers unable to find a particular rose variety they've fallen in love with. The global trade of roses is far more complex than one might imagine, with numerous factors influencing which varieties are available in different countries. Let's delve into the thorny issues surrounding the international rose trade.

Import and Export Regulations: A Prickly Affair

One of the primary challenges in the global rose trade is navigating the maze of import and export regulations. Countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand have strict phytosanitary measures in place to protect their domestic horticulture industries.

For instance, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) imposes rigorous quarantine requirements for imported roses. These can include a two-year isolation period with regular inspections, making the import process lengthy and costly for nurseries and individual enthusiasts alike.

Disease Prevention: Safeguarding Blooms Across Borders

The strict regulations aren't without reason. Roses are susceptible to numerous diseases that can devastate entire plantations. The fear of introducing new pests or diseases drives many countries to err on the side of caution.

A prime example is the ban on rose imports from New Zealand to the U.S. that lasted for decades, ostensibly to prevent the spread of rose wilt disease. Interestingly, some experts, like Kenneth Horst of Cornell University, argue that this disease may never have existed, highlighting the complexities and sometimes controversial nature of these regulations.

Climate Considerations: Not Every Rose Thrives Everywhere

Even when import regulations aren't an issue, climate differences can pose significant challenges. A rose that thrives in the mild climate of England might struggle in the hot, humid conditions of Florida or the arid landscapes of Australia. This reality often leads to regional specialization in rose breeding and cultivation.

Rose Hardiness Zones: A Global Perspective

The concept of plant hardiness zones, initially developed by the USDA, has become a crucial tool for rose enthusiasts and cultivators worldwide. These zones, based on average annual minimum winter temperatures, provide valuable guidance on which rose varieties are likely to thrive in specific geographic areas. The USDA Hardiness Zone Map divides North America into 13 zones, each representing a 10°F range of average annual minimum winter temperatures. This system has been adopted and adapted by many countries, including Canada and the UK, to better reflect their local climatic conditions.

For rose growers, understanding these zones is essential, as they indicate the cold hardiness of different rose varieties. However, it's important to note that hardiness zones are just one factor in determining a rose's suitability for a particular area. Microclimates, soil conditions, and summer heat can all play significant roles in a rose's ability to thrive. For instance, while many English Roses are hardy in USDA zones 5-9, their performance can vary greatly within these zones depending on local conditions. This variability in growing conditions across different countries and regions contributes to the complexity of the global rose trade, as breeders and distributors must consider not just regulatory requirements, but also the diverse climatic needs of their roses when determining which varieties to market in different parts of the world.

The Name Game: Marketing Across Borders

Adding to the confusion for rose lovers is the practice of marketing roses under different names in various countries. For example, Chris Warner's rose 'Eye of the Tiger' is sold as 'Ringo All-Star' in the United States. This practice, while potentially beneficial for local marketing, can make it challenging for enthusiasts to track down specific varieties across borders.

Navigating Multiple Rose Registries

The existence of multiple rose registries worldwide further complicates matters. In the U.S. alone, there are three main reference sources for roses: HelpMeFind.com, the Combined Rose List, and the American Rose Society's Modern Roses. These sources don't always agree on names or classifications, adding another layer of complexity for international rose lovers.

The Impact on Rose Availability

These factors combine to create significant disparities in rose availability across different countries. While some major breeders like David Austin Roses have established international operations to facilitate global distribution, many smaller breeders struggle to navigate the complex web of international regulations and marketing considerations.

Even David Austin Roses nurseries can have different rose selections due to varying import and export regulations between countries. This means a specific rose variety might be unavailable in one country while readily accessible in another.

A Personal Touch: The Croatian Rose Mystery

To illustrate the potential for confusion, let me share a personal anecdote. During a visit to Opatija, Croatia, I purchased a rose marketed as an "Old Croatian rose" at a local flower event. A year later, I discovered that no such variety officially existed, and I found identical roses being sold as "Old English roses" in one of Croatian local garden centers. While the rose itself was beautiful regardless of its name, this experience highlights the potential for misinformation in the international rose trade.

Looking to the Future

Despite these challenges, the passion for roses continues to drive innovation in breeding and distribution. New initiatives to streamline international regulations and improve communication between breeders, nurseries, and enthusiasts offer hope for a future where your dream rose might be just a click away, no matter where in the world you are.

In the meantime, rose lovers would do well to embrace the varieties available in their local nurseries, which are often best suited to local growing conditions. And who knows? You might just discover a new favorite bloom right in your own backyard.