From March 25 to 27, 2026, United Selections opened the doors of its Colombia showhouse for another edition of its Open Days, giving growers and visitors a direct look at what is moving through the breeder’s pipeline right now. The event focused on connection, interaction, and knowledge sharing, but above all, it was about helping growers make real choices for future plantings. United Selections promoted the three-day program as a chance to meet the team, discover the latest varieties, and select newly bred roses in person. Here's a brief recap.
United Selections Open Days Are Built Around Selection and Exchange
The hands-on format is what makes these open days relevant. United Selections is active as a global rose breeder, with breeding, testing, and selection taking place across multiple locations, including Kenya, Ethiopia, the Netherlands, Ecuador, Colombia, and Japan. Its Colombia site in Zipaquirá functions as the local selection and showhouse location, which means visitors are not just looking at flowers staged for display, but at genetics being reviewed in a setting tied to actual growing conditions and market use.
From New Assortments to Spray Rose Highlights
During the Open Days, the company invited guests to make their selection rounds, explore new assortments, and gain insight into the varieties on show. In a relaxing atmosphere, day one was centered on first impressions and assortment review, while day two continued with conversations at the facility and more detailed rounds with the team. It was clearly set up as a working visit rather than a formal presentation. That matters in a market where growers want to compare not only color and shape, but also overall commercial feel.
A visible part of the week was the spray roses exhibition, shared by United Selections as one of the highlights of its Colombia Open House. The display offered a closer look at varieties presented at their best, while also showing how spray roses continue to hold a strong role in retail bouquets, mixed work, and floral design. United Selections has been expanding attention around its Blossoms spray rose line in recent years, and that made the spray presentation in Colombia a logical part of the broader assortment story.
Why Open Days Still Matter
What stood out most was the practical value of the event. For growers, moments like these Open Houses are where decisions begin to take shape. A catalog or online post can create interest, but a visit to a showhouse makes it easier to judge plant habit, head shape, color expression, and whether a variety feels right for a specific farm or target market. United Selections itself describes this open-door approach as part of how it works with clients, inviting them to review assortments and stay involved early in the selection process.
The recent Colombia Open Days showed that breeding still works best when people can see, ask, compare, and discuss in person. New selections were there, trusted varieties were part of the mix, and the team was available to guide visitors through the details. In a business where the next planting decision can shape an entire season, those direct moments between breeder and grower still do a lot of the real work.
Images by @lottas_floralstudio.
