8th Monaco International New Rose Competition: Vote for Your Favourite Rose!

The international jury — composed of representatives from leading rose competitions worldwide, perfumers, prominent figures from the Principality, members of the Friends of the Princess Grace Rose Garden Association, and the Urban Planning Department — met on Thursday 30 April for the 8th Monaco International New Rose Competition.

Held every two years by the Friends of the Princess Grace Rose Garden Association, chaired by Mr Yves Piaget, in partnership with the Urban Planning Department (DAU) of the Prince’s Government, this competition celebrates the creation of new rose varieties from around the world. 

Seventy rose varieties were presented by sixteen breeders representing eight countries, across the categories “Hybrid Tea”, “Floribunda”, “Groundcover” and “Miniature Roses”. 
The entries were submitted to the Principality in November by the breeders who developed them. They were then cultivated by DAU gardeners in greenhouses in Saint-Laurent d’Eze before being replanted at the Princess Grace Rose Garden at the end of April in preparation for the competition. This process is essential to ensure complete fairness among the international entries, as all roses are grown under identical conditions — the same climate, the same soil, and without pesticides or chemical fertilisers — thereby placing them on an equal footing for judging, particularly for the “resistance” criterion, which forms part of the overall score. 

Following a morning visit to the Rose Garden, the international jury deliberated and announced the results of this 8th edition: 

Simsalabim® KORnekcraz, bred by German breeder KORDES ROSES, entry No. 64 in the Groundcover category, achieved the highest overall score (out of 100) across all judging criteria and was awarded the PIAGET ROSE Trophy, presented by the Piaget Manufacture.
 

Perugino® Oralipar, bred by French breeder R.O.S.E. Roses Orard Selection Edition, entry No. 14 in the Hybrid Tea category, received the highest score for the Fragrance criterion and was awarded the Monaco City Hall Fragrance Cup.

Meiconfiz, bred by French breeder Meilland International – Alain Meilland, entry No. 45 in the Floribunda category, was awarded the Friends of the Princess Grace Rose Garden Favourite Prize.

Although the international jury’s results have been announced, the competition continues until 15 June, and the public is now invited to vote for their favourite rose.

Voting is simple: visit the website of the Friends of the Princess Grace Rose Garden or the Prince’s Government Facebook page. Participants simply need to browse the online album featuring all competing roses and “like” the image of their favourite to cast a vote. 

While the roses can be viewed online, nothing compares to a stroll through the paths of the Princess Grace Rose Garden to fully appreciate the beauty of the colourful petals and the fragrance of the new varieties showcased in this 8th edition.

For those wishing to learn more and vote with greater insight, the DAU Garden Section will host activities at the Princess Grace Rose Garden on 6 and 13 May, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., open to all ages, offering the opportunity to discover more about roses.
 

While awaiting the announcement of the Public Prize winner at the end of June, a charity sale in support of the Be Safe association will be held on 27 May, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

In addition to the opportunity to purchase the exclusive rose varieties presented during this 8th edition, visitors will benefit from advice from gardeners, free activities for children, and guided tours of the Rose Garden — and, of course, the chance to vote and take part in the Public Prize.