Ping Lim has built his rose-breeding career around the idea that beautiful roses should not require constant spraying or specialized care. His breeding emphasizes disease resistance, climatic adaptability, cold hardiness, fragrance, attractive flowers, and plants capable of succeeding for ordinary gardeners. His work has received numerous honors from AARS, American Rose Trials for Sustainability, Portland's rose trials, AGRS, and international competitions.
Lim is especially associated with the Easy Elegance® program developed for Bailey Nurseries. These roses were bred to combine the more refined flowers associated with Hybrid Teas with the durability and easy-care nature of landscape shrubs. Varieties such as Super Hero, My Girl, and others helped demonstrate that disease resistance and hardiness did not necessarily require sacrificing traditional rose beauty. He later continued this general philosophy through other breeding programs, including work emphasizing heat tolerance for warmer climates.
