Poulsen Roser A/S - a family business

Poulsen Roser is a family owned Danish company that is world-famous for its rosebreeding. Its roots go right back to 1878, when Dorus Theus Poulsen founded the nursery that marked the beginning of the family company of Poulsen Roser.

Although asparagus and strawberries were the first plants to be cultivated, plant improvement was not slow in becoming part of the daily routine, first with radishes and cucumbers and later with roses - and now also clematis. The founder's great-granddaughter, Pernille Olesen, together with her husband, Mogens N. Olesen, have sice 1976 been the owners and managers of Poulsen Roser A/S.

The development of new types of roses has really got underway under Pernille and Mogens N. Olesen's ownership and management. Their many ideas and targeted efforts have resulted in the development of roses and clematis based on completely new concepts. Firstly, the pot rose, with which the rose breeding began back in the 1970s, based on the fact that Denmark is one of the leading countries in the production of flowering pot plants. Their ideas have become reality, with Poulsen Roser's having produced one lovely rose after the other over the last decade.

The cooperation with Rosanova A/S has helped reinforce this development work since the necessary production testing could be carried out under optimum production conditions in their greenhouses. 

Lately, new technology has resulted in the development of garden roses of revolutionary characteristics - they can be propagated by cuttings. These new varieties of garden roses - Palace®, Renaissance®, Towne & Country®, Castle®, and Courtyard® - are something quite special, comprising a new way of culturing and producing garden roses. Production during the first culture period is by cuttings in the greenhouses with the roses growing to maturity outdoors. Propagation by cuttings marks a revolutionary advance in the production of garden roses, which until quite recently could only take place using the budding of eyes on rose understocks.

During the last few years, Poulsen Roser have included the breeding of clematis in their programme. Together with their joint venture partner, Raymond J. Evison, Guernsey, the advantages and disadvantages of varieties of clematis are now being unravelled, so that cross-breeds can introduce precisely the characteristics that consumers will find irresistible.

Furthermore, in 1994 Pernille and Mogens N. Olesen bought a wine castle, the Château Lecusse, in the Gaillac district of France, where they produce 10 different wines. The château has been totally modernised so that the wine production is taking place on the optimum conditions. Consequently, consumers are offered excellent wines.

During their 25 years as rose breeders Pernille and Mogens N. Olesen have received a number of international awards for their important work. These include the prestigious award "Nordisk Havebrugpris" (the Substral Award), awarded for their work as plant breeders and product developers - especially as regards revolutionary new and modern products for greenhouse growers, nurseries, market gardens, and consumers. Lately, Mogens N. Olesen received the distinguished French Award "Chevalier dans l'Ordre du Mérite Agricole" for his efforts within wine production whereby he has made the Château Lecusse internationally renowned within just 10 years.

In year 2000 alone they received 74 medals at international rose trials.