The annual rose show at Keukenhof, in the Netherlands, drew around 180 visitors and featured approximately 17,000 stems on display. Growers, breeders, and buyers gathered at the Oranje Pavilion for the event, which included judging across two separate categories and concluded with nine prize presentations.
© Mirthe Walpot | FloralDaily.comCrowds in the Oranje Pavilion
Two judging rounds took place: a trade jury assessment and a professional jury assessment. Each round covered four categories: Dutch rose, Dutch spray rose, import rose, and import spray rose. In addition, a Breeders Award was presented.
Trade audience and 'regular' visitors
Alongside buyers, growers, and breeders, regular Keukenhof visitors also moved through the show floor during the judging rounds. According to Jan de Boer, this mix is one of the event's defining strengths. "This is the ideal way to promote roses, with consumers present alongside industry professionals. It is a B2B event, but you are simultaneously reaching the B2C side as well."
© Mirthe Walpot | FloralDaily.com
View the full photo report here (link in Dutch)
The afternoon programme opened to a full room in the Oranje Pavilion. Speaking on behalf of Keukenhof's rose committee, the host highlighted the notably high quality of entries, particularly from the growers. Keukenhof Operations Director Ferry Huurman shared that enthusiasm: "It is a truly beautiful rose show. We can be proud of a product that travels the world from Keukenhof through the photos every visitor takes of the roses."
© KeukenhofIrene Schouten
Perseverance
Speed skating champion Irene Schouten also addressed the audience, speaking about perseverance, setbacks, and winning. "Life is not all roses," she said, quickly adding that in her own case, tulips would be more fitting, given her background on her family's tulip farm. "In elite sport, nothing comes to you easily if you want to stand on a podium. I did not have the greatest talent, but I did have the talent to keep going." She also spoke openly about her mother's cerebral haemorrhage and the impact it has had on her family.
Professional judging
The professional jury prizes were then announced. In the Dutch rose category, the first prize went to Big Baby from Van der Hulst Rozenkwekerijen. The jury cited "good colour, very distinctive, and highly uniform." In the Dutch spray rose category, First Date from Setters took first prize, with the same grower's Caradonna claiming second. Apple Jack from Ayana won in the import rose category, described by the jury as "uniform, with very attractive fresh foliage." In the import spray rose category, Tralala from Holla Roses took first prize. "Its uniformity makes for a beautifully filled vase," the jury noted.
© Mirthe Walpot | FloralDaily.com
The men from Decofresh with the first prize for Apple Jack from Ayana; Koen van der Hulst with two first prizes for Big Baby; the men from Sunselle - Berg Roses and Holla Roses - with Irene Schouten and their prizes; Omer Verschoore from Kwekerij Opstal with the first prize for Darlene. View the full photo report here (link in Dutch)
Trade judging
The trade jury results followed. Big Baby from Van der Hulst Rozenkwekerijen again claimed first place, this time in the trade jury's Dutch rose category. In the Dutch spray rose category, the prize went to Darlene from Kwekerij Opstal, with the jury commenting: "The longer you look at it, the more you fall for it." Snowstorm from Mt Kenya won the import rose category, with the jury highlighting its "white, very pure colour and absence of transport damage." In the import spray rose category, Bird's Nest from Jewel took first place, described simply as "truly standing out."
© Mirthe Walpot | FloralDaily.comDummen Orange wins the Breeders Award with Pamplona. View the full photo report here (link in Dutch)
Breeders Award
The Breeders Award went to Pamplona from Dümmen Orange, which the jury singled out for its striking, fresh, and distinctive red colour.
Following the presentations, attendees gathered for drinks, networking, and refreshments among the vases of roses.
