Now about those Rugosas…

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As you probably know I post a lot of pictures of my rugosas and talk about them quite a bit. More than once I have blown up your feed to share blooms! 😉

I just love them. They are the main event in the spring when I’m looking for fireworks and fragrance. (More on that here.)

That first flush of spring bloom is simply amazing. However, in years past the repeat bloom has been sketchy around here. Oh, I always get a few blooms all summer long but nothing like what has been happening this year. The second flush of bloom has been amazing. While it certainly doesn’t rival the spring bloom, it has been impressive and very welcome. Tucking even one of these amazingly fragrant blooms into a bokay is a game changer and crowd pleaser.

Why all the extra blooms this year? I’m not sure. This has been a wetter season that usual–maybe they liked that.

Take a look at the repeaters.

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The pollinators are totally in love with rugosas! They are everywhere. One even got a little territorial with me and gave me a bite. Owie!!! 😁🐝I forgave him and all is good. 🐝


MORE ABOUT RUGOSAS

Rugosa roses are species roses native to eastern Asia. These profuse spring bloomers are hardy in Zones 3 – 9 and in a variety of conditions: heat, cold, wind, even salty, sandy seaside conditions. Rugosas prefer full sun (6-8 hours per day) and average well-drained soil. So, with very minimal care, almost anyone, anywhere can enjoy these dependable workhorses in the garden.  As for the size of those growing in my garden, Hansa, Roseraie de la Hay, Theresa Bugnet and Blanc de double Corbert  are 5′ X 5′ . Moje Hammerly is 4′ X 4′ and Belle Poitevine is 4′ X 4′ too. There are other rugosas that are smaller in general … do some investigating to find the ones most suited for your location.

These rugged plants are excellent choices for the organic gardener. Their distinct wrinkled (regose) foliage is very disease resistant. I have found that the rugosas with the most wrinkled leaves are the most disease resistant. Those with smoother leaves tend to get some black spot and occasional mildew.

In my cottage garden, rugosas are the back drop and anchor for many of my flower beds. They are not fans of pruning and do best when allowed to grow and seek their own shape, so you need to give them some space.

Here are pictures from the spring bloom!

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If  you want to read more about rugosas,  go to the American Rose Society’s website HERE.


Too darn hot!

Just checked the weather and the heat wave we are experincing this week will be gone next week. YES. I felt like Indiana was moving closer to the Equator by the minute. Whew! It has been hot!

Keep blooming where you are planted!
Thanks for stopping by!

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Rose Buzz: Companions & Beneficials

Rose Buzz_7_white copyAs gardeners, we learn just how important the right companions are to our plants. Many act as a host to beneficial insects to help combat those who come to destroy! They can also cover up shortcomings when a plant’s beauty begins to fade.

It is the same way for us! We need the companionship of others. They help us grow and learn, but so much more–with the right companions, success is more fun and failure is not so bad.

In a group we can accomplish much more together than we can on our own.

Learn. Grow. Share. Serve. Create Awareness. Celebrate.

As you know, I am a big believer in Social Media! I truly believe social media is shrinking our world and giving us easy access to those who used to be so far away … some even in our own neighborhoods. Our pace of life is often fast and on the go! Multi-tasking has come and gone out of favor more than once.

We are busy.

We are connecting online.

Is it enough?

Of course NOT!

We still need face-to-face.

Much joy is brought to my life by being up close and personal with family, friends and those who share my love of gardening and roses.

JOIN THE FUN.

I am a member of several rose organizations. Two of them are below…

The Indianapolis Rose Society

In this organization I have met some amazing people of all ages. We are all at different stages of the gardening experience and have different passions. Some are into just growing while others with the competitive spirit, enter the most amazing blooms and arrangements in competitions! We have those who use chemicals and others who are all organic.

But it is so much more.

We spend time enjoying all things “rose” together. We learn, we laugh, we celebrate successes and we deal with failures & issues together. It’s not just roses that keep us together, over the years–we have become family.

The American Rose Society

The American Rose Society exists to promote the culture and appreciation of the rose, through education and research to members, to local rose societies and their members and to the public. Read on for more information…

As a member of the ARS, I receive their award-winning magazine and informative newsletters. I have learned about the bigger picture of roses on an international scale! I’ve had the opportunity to attend national conferences where you meet and learn from rose lovers from around world. At these conferences, I have met many rose loving friends who I first “met” online, as well as experts in the field who have become cherished friends.

Exciting Times

Our newly installed ARS President, Pat Shanley, joined us on Rose Chat a few months back to share her dreams and goals for ARS. Take a few minutes and listen to this passionate and energetic leader share her story…HERE.

Yes, growing roses and spending time with my rose companions is very “beneficial” to my health! 🙂


Feel free to share this post and/or the Rose Buzz graphic to help spread the news!

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Is 2016 your year to join?

 

Rose Buzz: Stories from The Convention

Rose Buzz_7_whiteWhile the Rose Chat crew was at the American Rose Society National Fall Convention last week we had the opportunity to hear from our rose friends from around the world. We took the time to do some mini interviews so they could talk to you and let you know what they have been up to.

We invite you to visit our You Tube Channel and listen in. Most of the videos are less than 2 minutes but our rose friends sure packed a lot into their time!

Here is some Rose Chattin’…

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Check back, we’ll be adding more videos later in the week!

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Rose Buzz: Hearing from the hybridizers themselves!

Rose Buzz_7_whiteThere were so many wonderful things about the American Rose Society Fall Convention, but one of the things I will never forget is meeting and hearing from the top hybridizers from around the world. They are without exception, amazing men dedicated to bringing us the most disease resistant, sustainable, beautiful roses.

You can hear from them too and get some information that is hot off the press!

Check out their video at the bottom of this page. 🐝

Here they are…

IMG_0004Will Radler: Father of the Knock Out family of roses and so much more. (Hear him tell his story on Rose Chat here.)

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Alain Meilland, director of Meilland Roses of France who first brought us the Peace Rose.

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Steve Hutton, president of Star Roses & Plants.

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Michael Mariott, chief designer of David Austin Roses.

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Thomas Proll, head of the rose breeding program at Kordes Roses.


 

Roses
THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT

With all the new sustainable and beautiful roses coming out it has never been a better time to surround yourself with the beauty and the fragrance of roses. Whether you have a big yard or a patio, there are roses to fit every spot. I can tell you there is nothing quite like picking your own roses to add to the dinner table or to take to a friend.

And, there is no better way to learn about roses than to join the American Rose Society. We have just installed Pat Shanley and Bob Martin as our President and Vice President and there are none more qualified or more excited about what the future holds. None are more committed to bringing us the very best.

Jump over to ROSE.ORG and take a look around … then SIGN UP! The American Rose magazine that you will receive bi-monthly and the newsletters you will receive bi-monthy will entertain, inspire and educate you as you learn and grow with roses.

If  you have any questions, I would be happy to help.

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It’s A Rose Thing

This week I am heading to Syracuse, NY for the American Rose Society’s Fall Convention!

Rose lovers and rose experts from around the world are ready to celebrate the rose and rose friends. (Details here.)
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Whether you are in Syracuse or not, you can follow along on social media. And, if you are posting pictures of your roses, tag them #ItsARoseThing so they show up on our live feed on the big screen! If you are there, please stop by the Rose Chat booth on Saturday and say hello.

If you are on Facebook, check out the convention page HERE.

If you are not a member of the American Rose Society, this would be a fabulous time to join! The top-notch American Rose magazine that comes with membership is so worth it! Get the info here @ rose.org.

Don’t forget to tag your rose pictures and posts … #ItsARoseThing!

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Rose Buzz: Roses with an ocean view…

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For the last week I have had the pleasure of walking the beaches of Southern California. What a pleasure. Sunshine. Blue skies. White sand. Pristine beaches. Wide walking trails. Rose Gardens. Yes, rose gardens. Many of the beach homes have lovely rose gardens just outside their doors. To say the roses in California are larger than the roses in my garden would be a gross understatement.

Roses love Cali and Cali loves roses.

I can’t wait to show you some of the pictures I took…

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 But the prettiest rose I saw while in Cali, was David Austin’s Falstaff Rose that Mr. H found so lovely…

 

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Falstaff is a most fragrant rose!

Here’s what David Austin Roses has to say about it…

  • Hardiness: Hardy
  • Fragrance: Strong
  • Repeating: Excellent

Falstaff bears large crimson flowers with a shallow, cupped shape. They are of exquisite form and quality, packed with numerous petals which interfold at the centre. This helps to create a lovely, glowing effect within an enclosed saucer of outer petals. The blooms are a rich, dark crimson colouring at first, eventually turning to a wonderful shade of rich purple. There is a powerful Old Rose fragrance. The growth is strong, bushy and rather upright, with the flowers nodding nicely on the stem. The foliage is quite large and rather modern in character. This variety is named for the well-loved Shakespearean character, who was the faithful companion of Prince Henry.

For more on David Austin Roses, read on.


MORE ROSE BUZZ 🐝🐝🐝

0uTYflBQohP0hOmKXfKwMgRhfVSlfMEcdPE54QFhrfcO_pdn2SVoVEkuiwNLH00qXCWYmn_iPcCf960WQvRqimIMT9Rasf3U9CHtBYzpprG5A-HlJXvjaVWye1fVZiVps4QpVUCs25lUcjJ58JmdfQQuXOAssIDb=w692-h394JOIN US FOR THE ULTIMATE CELEBRATION OF ALL THAT IS ROSES

ROSES IN A NEW YORK STATE OF MIND

SEPTEMBER 10-13  //  SYRACUSE, NEW YORK

HOSTED BY THE NEW YORK, PENN-JERSEY AND YANKEE DISTRICTS

Don’t forget the Early Bird prices are in effect now until July 10. Details here. The Rose Chat Crew looks forward to seeing you there!


Back to fragrant roses, what is your favorite fragrant rose?

Today mine is Falstaff. 🙂

ROSE BUZZ: IT’S TIME TO VOTE

Rose Buzz_7_whiteStarting today members of ARS can vote for their new Vice President. This is a Triennial Election meaning that the chosen VP will serve for 3 years and then automatically become President.

We all have hopes and dreams for the organizations we love.  If you need more information on the two men running for VP you can listen to their plans for the future of American Rose Society via the Rose Chat Podcast below…

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Sam Jones: HERE


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Bob Martin: HERE 


WHEN TO VOTE: Any time between today and July 31 at noon.

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DIRECTIONS

Find the six-digit  identification number on your May/June issue of the American Rose magazine. Every member has a unique number. If you can’t find your magazine (I had to look and look!)… you can request a replacement number and magazine by July 24. Go to www.rose.org – click on the VOTE box.


IN OTHER NEWS

When I returned from the Biltmore last night I found so many roses blooming! Spring is so fun!

 

Rose Buzz: Exhibition Bed

Rose Buzz_7_whiteWhile many o my roses are easy care, no spray varieties, I do have a few roses that are more diva like and require more of me. I love them and think they are worth it. They live in my Exhibition Bed (my only raised bed) along side a few that don’t require much at all so it all balances out.

I have an Exhibition Bed because I hope to one day have one of my roses crowned Queen of Show … someday! You gotta dream. If you wonder what beauties you might see at a rose show, check out the Indianapolis Rose Society’s posts on rose shows here. If you love roses and aren’t a member of a local rose society, I would highly recommend finding one in your area. I have learned so much from my society and the added bonus is you get to be with others who love what you love. Find more on rose societies at ROSE.ORG.

Back to the Exhibition Bed…

This winter the Exhibition Bed took a big hit. Our winter was cold but so was the Polar Vortex winter 2 years ago and they did quite well after than horrible winter. I think this year was harder because we turned super cold BEFORE we had the thick blanket of snow that we had during the Polar Vortex. And, since these roses are in a raised bed… the cold was just harder on them. My plan is to provide extra care for these roses next winter with higher mulch and maybe even a covering. Mr. G, the designer and builder of all things for my garden, will think of something! 🙂 More about Mr. G’s building stuff here.

To date I have lost 2 Gemini roses in this bed but the others are coming back… just a little slower.

Current Exhibition Bed Inhabitants…

  • 2 Dick Clarks
  • 1 Cherry Parfait
  • 2 Gemini
  • 1 Neil Diamond (Doing well!)
  • 1 Falling in Love
  • 2 Golden Gate (one is struggling)
  • 1 Beverly
  • 1 Joy (Doing very well!)
  • 1 Corretta Scott King

As you can see from the pitiful picture below, they are indeed getting off to a sad, slow start. But, this is our benchmark … May 3, 2015 … let’s see where this goes.

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May 3, 2015 … Fingers crossed!

Speaking of raised beds… Mr. G built himself 2 small raised beds for tomatoes. Look at the “decor” he added …

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I see this little sign made it through the winter!

 

He knows me!


2014 EXHIBITION BED…

On a happier note, here are some pictures from the Exhibition Bed last summer… (If you click on one of the pictures below, it will start the gallery feature for better viewing.)

Do you garden in raised beds?

Pat Shanley and The Future of Roses

Tonight on Rose Chat Chris and I were joined by Pat Shanley, incoming President of the American Rose Society.

unnamed 2Many of my rose loving friends are concerned about the effects of chemicals in their garden. Pat offered so much insight and encouragement to those wanting to grow a beautiful yet sustainable rose garden. Pat does not spray her beautiful rose garden and has joined with other environmentally concerned rose gardeners to write a book, The Sustainable Rose Garden.

Read the Midwest Book Review

Roses, with their bright colors and sweet smell, have earned a special place among floral enthusiasts. “The Sustainable Rose Garden” is a collection of essays written by rosarians for fellow rose lovers. Speaking on the sustainability of roses and their surprising impact on the environment, there is much to ponder about how roses can be improved for their future. With nearly forty contributors, “The Sustainable Rose Garden” is a read that is very much recommended for the environmentally conscious rose lover.
Pat also shared her vision for the future of the American Rose Society, America’s oldest horticultural society. Pat’s vision is a society that is relevant in today’s world–a society that breaks down barriers and unites everyone who loves the rose. Pat is often described as a woman of “boundless energy,” and tonight we had a glimpse of that!
To listen to our chat, click on the Rose Chat icon below…
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