The first All-America Rose selections were made in 1940 . Since then, the AARS has become the standard-bearer in the United States for identifying the best rose introductions each year. It should also be noted that there are rose awards from manyother countries, especially Great Britain, which are extremely prestigious in their own right. 

Roses judged for the AARS are evaluated over a two year period at 24 sites around the United States. Evaluations are made for fourteen categories which include flower form, bud form, vigor, growth habit, disease resistance, hardiness, fragrance, foliage, opening and finishing color, stem strength, flower production, and novelty.
 

Being selected as an All-America Rose Selection is a rare achievement, and standards are set very high (In 1951, there was no All-America Rose selected!). Interestingly enough, achievement of this award does not guarantee long term appeal, as many of these roses are difficult to find now. 

To learn more, you can contact All-America Rose Selections by writing or calling: 
221 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 3500, Chicago, Illinois 60601. (312) 372-7090

1998
'Fame!', 'First Light', 'Opening Night', 'Sunset Celebration'

1997
'Artistry', 'Scentimental', 'Timeless'

1996
'Carefree Delight', 'Livin' Easy', 'Mt. Hood', 'St. Patrick'

1995
'Brass Band', 'Singin' in the Rain'

1994
'Caribbean', 'Midas Touch', 'Secret'

1993
'Child's Play', 'Rio Samba', 'Solitude', 'Sweet Inspiration'

1992
'All That Jazz', 'Brigadoon', 'Pride n' Joy'

1991
'Carefree Wonder', 'Perfect Moment', 'Sheer Elegance', 'Shining Hour'

1990
'Pleasure'

1988
'Amber Queen', 'Mikado', 'Prima Donna'

1987
'Bonica', 'New Year', 'Sheer Bliss'

1986
'Broadway' 'Touch of Class' 'Voodoo'

1985
'Showbiz'

1984
'Impatient', 'Intrigue', 'Olympiad'

1983
'Sun Flare', 'Sweet Surrender'

1982
'Brandy' 'French Lace', 'Mon Cheri', 'Shreveport'

1981
'Bing Crosby', 'Marina', 'White Lightnin'

1980
'Love', 'Honor', 'Cherish'

1978
'Charisma', 'Color Magic'

1977
'Double Delight', 'First Edition', 'Prominent'

1976
'America', 'Cathedral', 'Seashell', 'Yankee Doodle'

1975
'Arizona', 'Oregold', 'Rose Parade'

1974
'Bahia', 'Bon Bon', 'Perfume Delight'

1973
'Electron', 'Gypsy', 'Medallion'

1972
'Apollo', 'Portrait'

1971
'Aquarius', 'Command Performance', 'Redgold'

1970
'First Prize'

1968
'Europeana', 'Miss All-American Beauty', 'Scarlet Knight'

1967
'Bewitched', 'Gay Princess', 'Lucky Lady', 'Roman Holiday'

1966
'American Heritage', 'Apricot Nectar', 'Matterhorn'

1965
'Camelot', 'Mister Lincoln'

1964
'Granada', 'Saratoga'

1963
'Royal Highness', 'Tropicana'

1962
'Christian Dior', 'Golden Slippers', 'John S. Armstrong', 'King's Ransom'

1961
'Duet', 'Pink Parfait'

1960
'Fire King', 'Garden Party', 'Sarabande'

1958
'Fusilier', 'Gold Cup', 'White Knight'

1957
'Golden Showers', 'White Bouquet'

1956
'Circus'

1955
'Jiminy Cricket', 'Queen Elizabeth', 'Tiffany'

1954
'Lilibet', 'Mojave'

1953
'Chrysler Imperial', 'Ma Perkins'

1952
'Fred Howard', 'Helen Traubel', 'Vogue'

1951
No Selection

1950
'Capistrano', 'Fashion', 'Sutter's Gold', 'Mission Bells'

1948
'Diamond Jubilee', 'High Noon', 'Nocturne', 'Pinkie', 'San Fernando', 'Taffeta'

1947
'Rubaiyat'

1946
'Peace'

1945
'Floradora' 'Horace McFarland', 'Mirandy'

1944
'Fred Edmunds', 'Katherine T. Marshal', 'Lowell Thomas', 'Mme. Chiang Kai-shek', 'Mme. Marie Curie'

1943
'Grande Duchesse Charlotte', 'Mary Margaret McBride'

1942
'Heart's Desire'

1941
'Apricot Queen', 'California', 'Charlotte Armstrong'

1940
'Dicksons Red', 'Flash', 'The Chief', 'World's Fair'