Introducing the 'Summer Waltz,' a New Rose Unveiled by Arboretum

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum announced there are two winners in the Arboretum's popular "Name the Rose" contest. 

The new rose cultivar will be known as "Summer Waltz," and it is part of a new series of exclusive Arboretum plant introductions that will be called the "Suddenly Summer" series. 

"Summer Waltz" was nominated by Mary Ann Starnes of Bigfork, MN, and it is a perfect name for this rose that features lovely pink, frilly blossoms but is cold-hardy and disease-resistant. The rose was developed by Kathy Zuzek, a University of Minnesota Extension assistant professor.

The series name "Suddenly Summer" was nominated by Mary Lynn Bechtel of Eden Prairie and reflects the sometimes abrupt but oh-so-welcome arrival of summer in Minnesota!

The winners were announced today (Friday) at the Arboretum as part of the National Public Gardens Day festivities.  Each winner received a Summer Waltz  rose plant and other prizes.  

Now in its fourth year, National Public Gardens Day was initiated by the American Public Garden Association in partnership with NPGD official sponsor Rain Bird irrigation products.

Summer Waltz will be sold exclusively at the Arboretum Auxiliary Plant Sale this Saturday and Sunday, May 12 and 13, at the Arboretum. Sale hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

The Minnesota Landscape Arboretum, the largest public garden in the Upper Midwest, is part of the University of Minnesota College of Food, Agricultural and Natural Resource Sciences & located 9 miles west of I-494 on Highway 5 in Chaska. The Arboretum is disability accessible and smoke free. Admission: $12 adults; free for members & ages 12 and under.