I started breeding roses in 1983 and right from the start I set myself high standards, emphasizing the most important aspect of a rose is good health. It is my long held view that it is pointless producing a stunning flower if the plant on which it sits is a dud. The next most important attributes in my mind are Freedom of flowering and quick repeat. However, good foliage, bush shape, weather tolerance and beauty of the flower are also all on the list of standards that must be achieved. To accomplish all of the above, as well as fragrance, is the ultimate success.

Hybrid Tea. An excellent rose with healthy, disease resistant foliage, seductively scented, long stemmed, deep purple blooms that are perfect to pick. Stunning addition to any garden and bred right here in NZ by Rob Somerfield. 1996. Multi Award Winner. PVR.

Rob Somerfield says this rose is "named after the liqueur 'Blackberry Nip' that we all remember" from our past. I'm afraid my memory of it is not a great one - my fault as I somewhat over indulged, now days I would choose to drink in the scent of this beautiful rose rather than the liqueur!

 

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Hybrid Tea Std. An excellent rose with healthy disease resistant foliage, seductively scented, long stemmed, deep purple blooms that are perfect to pick. Stunning 9addition to any garden and bred right here in NZ by Rob Somerfield. 1998. Multi Award Winner. PVR.

 

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Floribunda. New Release. Another gorgeous red rose from the Rob Somerfield stable of roses. A stunning scarlet red that covers the bush throughout the season. Good disease resistance on glossy green leaves. Deciduous.

 

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Floribunda/Shrub. New Release. Rich, hearty, peach tones melting into pinks through a champagne haze. Offers a rich abundance of flowers that will delight throughout the season. Bred by Rob Somerfield. Deciduous

 

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Floribunda. Winner of New Zealand’s top rose award the Gold Star of the South Pacific in the New Zealand Rose Society international trials. A bright red rose that honours those who died in the terrible Christchurch earthquake. Disease resistant healthy bushes. Bred in NZ by Rob Somerfield. Deciduous

 

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Floribunda Standard. Winner of New Zealand’s top rose award the Gold Star of the South Pacific in the New Zealand Rose Society international trials. A bright red rose that honours those who died in the terrible Christchurch earthquake. Disease resistant healthy bushes. Bred in NZ by Rob Somerfield.

 

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Floribunda. City of Lights has masses of lemon blooms with a sweet alluring fragrance that smother the bush. Medium to small in height and healthy with medium green glossy foliage. Bred by Rob Somerfield. Deciduous

 

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Patio Std. Cupid is a small cherry red patio rose which smothers itself with masses of flowers. A healthy bush that has a compact and slightly spreading form that looks great as a standard. Bred in NZ by Rob Somerfield. Deciduous.

 

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Shrub. Bred by Rob Somerfield and named after the Maori Queen this rose covers itself with deep purple blooms that hold an unforgettable fragrance, a nice compact plant, perfect for the front of the garden. Deciduous.

 

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Hybrid Tea. From NZ Breeder Rob Somerfield comes an exceptionally beautiful rose. The large blooms are tightly packed with petals and are toned soft cream with blush pink edges. Glossy deep green foliage that shows good disease resistance. Repeats well from summer to autumn. PVR. 2010.

This rose has already won a Certificate of Merit and the breeder says "this rose has exceptional vase life" for those who can't resist picking your blooms. Pacific Rose Bowl Festival 2019 New Zealand Rose of the Year Trial winners Awarded Best Hybrid Tea Rose