For many generations the Poulsens were a family of farmers and cattle breeders, but on 29 November 1850 Dorus Theus Poulsen was born - and the family tradition was to take a new turn.

Niels Dines's first result within the field of rosebreeding was 'Chinatown', a yellow, fragrant Floribunda/climbing rose. Overnight the name of Niels Dines was on the lips of those in rosebreeding circles, since 'Chinatown' soon won a considerable number of major international awards. This variety, a robust, sturdy plant, can claim the sweetbriar as one of its distant ancestors. In 1965 'Pernille Poulsen' and 'Western Sun' were introduced, two more examples of Niels Dines's skill as a rosebreeder. Both gained international fame and a great number of excellent results in both Europe and countries overseas. In 1962 the first Danish legislation on new plants came into force. This made it possible to protect one's own new varieties by having them registered for Breeders Rights. This in turn gave added impetus to rosebreeding. In 1967 the first Poulsen rose suitable for being a cut flower, 'Nordia', was introduced. It quickly found its way to The Netherlands and Israel, where it became widely grown. 'Nordia' was the forerunner of the highly productive Floribundas of the present-day cut flower industry. It has of course since been replaced by improved varieties, but at the time of its appearance it was a real breakthrough. In 1969 'Snowline' appeared, which unfortunately has never become really widely grown in Denmark and the rest of Scandinavia, although it was chosen in 1970 as ADR Rose (Al Deutsche Roseneuheitsprüfung), the highest award given to a rose in Germany.

To produce a worldwide success within the field of roses each and every year is an impossible dream for a rosebreeder. So we have to move on again to 1972 to find the next breakthrough. In that year Niels Dines introduced the large-bloomed, copper-coloured TROIKA¤[F0 "(R)-teg