Established in 1902 by George Ross, four generations of the Ross family have grown roses for the Australian market, making our company one of the most respected names in the rose industry.
George began growing roses in the hills around Adelaide, South Australia. He originally grew fruit trees for the emerging orchards of Adelaide, but also grew roses for gardeners in the Adelaide area.
George’s son Alexander joined him in the business supplying wholesale roses to nurseries interstate as well as New Zealand, so the name Ross became widely known as an authority on roses. Alex’s reputation as an expert rosarian was growing and he became well known as Australia’s most knowledgeable and respected rosarians of those years. His knowledge and passion saw him instrumental in being one of the founders of the Rose Society of South Australia and a highly qualified Rose Judge.
Deane joined his father Alex in 1952 and the business expanded further concentrating on retail sales directly to the public. During the next forty years Deane became known as the Father of Heritage roses (previously called ‘old world’ roses) with his importing into Australia these rare and beautiful roses. Close to half of all these interesting roses at present growing in Australia were the basis of Deane’s collection which became his passion.
Today, Ross Roses is managed by the fourth generation Andrew Ross together with Deane’s wife Maureen (Deane died in 1993) so making it truly a family business of generations spent with roses. Andrew’s passion is different with plant hybridizing his future and developing the garden as a major attraction for visitors but never dismissing the key that has made the business, the supply of our plants to gardens across Australia.