War of the Roses: Winners From the 2014 Biltmore International Rose Trials

The Biltmore International Rose Trials, established in 2011 by the Biltmore Estate in Asheville, NC, draws competitors from around the world. Roses are judged over a 2-year growing period and are evaluated four times each year before awards are presented at the historic Biltmore Rose Garden.

A big winner for 2014, 'Miracle on the Hudson', bred by California resident Neil Rippetoe, took best in show with the George & Edith Vanderbilt Award for Most Outstanding Rose Of The Trials as well as the Chauncey Beadle Award for Best Shrub, the Lord Burleigh Award for Most Disease Resistant and the William Cecil Award for Best Growth Habit.

Open to amateur and professional breeders. new varieties of roses are judged on growth habit and vigor, bud and flowers, recurrent bloom, fragrance and resistance to disease.

'Honorine de Brabant' claimed the Award of Excellence For Best Established Rose at this year’s Biltmore International Rose Trials. Breeders typically spend 4-5 years developing a breed before entering it in the trials.