Apr 1, 2016

Shrub Madness Crowns National Champion

As the NCAA prepares to crown its national men’s basketball champion this year, Shrub Madness has come to an end with At Last rose being crowned the 2016 National Champion.

Coming from a crowded field of 64 contenders, the competition narrowed to just two after multiple rounds of voting on close matchups. In the final round, it started out neck and neck but At Last rose built a steady lead and defeated Let’s Dance Rave hydrangea.

During the competition, more than 83,000 votes were cast with everyone vying for their favorite shrubs. This year’s Floral Four included 2014 National Champion Let’s Dance Diva! hydrangea, Let’s Dance Rave hydrangea, Bloomerang Dark Purple lilac and At Last rose.

At Last combines all the romance of a fragrant, fully-petaled tea rose with the no-nonsense practicality of a disease-resistant landscape rose. No spraying is required to enjoy a non-stop display of large, sweetly perfumed sunset-orange blossoms from late spring through frost. Handsome, glossy foliage and a vigorous, rounded habit makes it ideal for use in the landscape or the flower garden.

As a brand new introduction this year, At Last rose is available exclusively through the Better Homes and Gardens program at White Flower Farm.