5 minutes with …….. 

Chris Warner

Chris is the Honarary Vice President of ARBA and was one of the founding members of the Association. He has had outstanding success at National and International rose trials with his innovative breeding lines. 

Q.     How did you become interested in breeding roses?

In the 1960s I first became interested in roses and read many books on the subject. After a conducted tour of David Austin’s nursery and breeding houses, I became very interested in the breeding aspects of roses, an interest that has been with me ever since.  

Q.   Do you have an objective when choosing parent roses for breeding?            Yes, I always have objectives and in order of importance these are:-

·        Health   

 ·        A good vigorous plant     

 ·        Fragrance   

 ·        Colour   

·        Novelty 

Q.     Apart from roses you have bred yourself, what is you favourite rose and  why?

I have several favourites with each having it’s own particular attributes.

·        ‘Margaret Merril’ for beauty of bloom at all stages plus a divine fragrance.

·        ‘Pink Flower Carpet’ for plant quality.

·        ‘Warm Welcome’ for cheerfulness.

·        ‘Open Arms’ for an attractive combination of flower and foliage. 

Q.     What do you consider to be the most successful rose you have bred and why?‘

Laura Ford’ for plant quality and its many descendants. 

Q.     If you could offer just one tip for the beginner what would it be?

Use bottom heat to assist in the germination of your rose seed. 

Q.     What are you working on at the moment?

 I have several breeding lines I am pursuing at the moment. These are:-

·        Ground cover roses.

·        Climbers both large and small.

·        Persica’s

·        Purple and Brown colours.

Good luck to you all with your breeding and I hope the above will be of some help to you.

Chris Warner