There 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. 🐝
Thomas Proll, head of the rose breeding program at Kordes 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.
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.)
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!
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…
But the prettiest rose I saw while in Cali, was David Austin’s Falstaff Rose that Mr. H found so lovely…
#AdventuresWithH
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.
Starting 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…
WHEN TO VOTE: Any time between today and July 31 at noon.
DIRECTIONS
Find the six-digit identification number on your May/June issue of the American Rosemagazine. 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 towww.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!
While 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.
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 …
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.)
Tonight on Rose Chat Chris and I were joined by Pat Shanley, incoming President of the American Rose Society.
Many 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…
During this season of Thanksgiving, I want to send out a big “THANK YOU” to you for joining me on this gardening journey. You mean the world to me!
Now it’s time for me to start waiting the winter out.
“Waiting the winter out” brings to mind something I learned from Mr. Rogers…. “let’s think of something to do while we’re waiting… ” Mr. Rogers was right, it IS always good to have something to do!
INSIDE GARDENING…
I have several pots of amaryllis and daffodils I will soon enjoy in the Potting Shed. And, will continue to “tend” the gerainiums and herbs that are over wintering there. The shed is a tiny space so the roses and herbs that we had outside this summer in large pots will spend their winter in Mr. G’s woodworking shop. They will be very happy there.
ROSE CHAT…
Chris and I will keep you in the “rose gardening know” with past and upcoming Rose Chat podcasts. There are 100+ recorded podcasts you can listen to here via your computer or on your mobile devices by using iTunes or the Stitcher App.
We will take a short break from live shows for Christmas, (All the archived show are still there for you!) and start back strong in 2015 with…
One of my favorite winter activities is planning and plotting what I will do to the garden next spring. And, pouring through catalogs to make my plant buying decisions! We have so many options … isn’t it great!
PICTURES…
Another thing that gets me through the long midwest winters is pouring through the pictures I take. Actually, I consider my iPhone one of my most valuable garden tools!
Here’s a gallery of some of my 2014 favorites…
Falling In Love
Gemini with Dick Clark in the background
The line up ….
Comte de Chambord and neighbors
Our Lady of Guadelupe and neighbors.
Hansa and Roseraie de la Hay
Early June evening…
Roses and peonies…
Rainy day…
Poseidon and company…
Amber Carpet Roses around the fish pond.
Etoille de Violette in the background…
Mr. H’s first visit to the garden! You knew he would be in this gallery, didn’t you?!?
SOCIAL MEDIA…
Many of you are growing in areas where things are blooming right now and I sure appreciate your shares via Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and other social networks!
This week at our rose society meeting I made out like a bandit. Many members brought plants to share! Either their old roses had sent up suckers that are easy to share or they were thinning their rose or rose companion “inventory.”
Either way, while we were looking over the plants being offered, I observed that it doesn’t matter whether my fellow rose society members are 30 something or nearly 90, they are equally “over the moon” excited about getting something new for their garden. I love that!
Here are the lovelies that were shared with me…Theresa Bugnet … picture courtesy of Dammann’s Gardens.
Theresa Bugnet (Rugosa)
Belle Poitevine courtesy of marysplantfarm.com
Belle Poitevine (Rugosa)
As you know I am smitten with Rugosas in general, so getting to add 2 more fragrant blooming machines to my garden makes me very happy. I wrote about my other rugosas a few weeks ago when they were in full bloom and you can see the pictures here.
Baldo Villegas pic courtesy of forloveofroses.com
Baldo Villegas (Mini Flora)
This beauty is named for my good friend and favorite “bug man” This rose is often seen on the awards table at rose shows. Very pretty. If you are interested in purchasing this rose, check with ForLoveofRoses.com.
I am told this rose is disease resistant and blooms all summer! Add to that old rose beauty and fragrance and I know this is going to be one of my very favorites! Read more about Laguna here.
Reblooming Iris
Reblooming Yellow Iris
While I was visiting a friends garden last fall, this iris was blooming like it was spring. I just knew then I had to have it! So glad he remembered and brought them to me!
Our rose society doesn’t have an “official” plant exchange, but we just may change that next year. Do you participate in plant exchanges?
THIS WEEK IN THE GARDEN…
We are getting much cooler temperatures and rain most days!
Yesterday’s unexpected but very welcomed rain!
I wish you a very happy BLOOM THYME FRIDAY and THE LADY is helping me wish you a HAPPY 4TH OF JULY!
Today I find myself in the middle of the most perfect weather any August in Indiana has ever had to offer. I am gardening and thinking about my morning. This morning I had the pleasure of interviewing Peggy Martin on Rose Chat and what a delight she was. NOTE: This interview was recorded in 2013 and some of the information is dated but the story of the Hurricane Katrina tragedy and Peggy’s experience is the same! Listen here.
Peggy’s family went through the devastation of Hurricane Katrina where she lost her parents, her home, her husband’s commercial fishing boat and her 35-year-old garden filled with many hard-to-find plants and a rose collection that included 450 roses. Many of the roses were rare and unique varieties. Peggy had been very involved in the New Orleans Old Garden Rose Society and worked tirelessly as a volunteer in many garden restoration projects.
Peggy Martin
As we talked I could tell that the pain of losing her parents is something she is still going through. I lost my Dad this year … losing a parent is a special kind of loss.
Most of my time with Peggy was spent talking about her garden experiences before and after Katrina.
Can you imagine what it was like for her to go back to the site of her home to see everything devastated. Gone. The entire area had been under salt water for more than 2 weeks. Salt water and plants just do not mix and at first look every living plant seemed to be dead. At closer inspection, two roses were found that had not only survived, one was to beginning to thrive—The Peggy Martin Rose…
This is a picture of the Peggy Martin Rose that now grows in her new rose garden….
Hardy in Zones 4 – 9, this rose is a vigorous, almost thornless climber that often reaches 15’ high and 6 ‘ wide.
Rose experts from around the world have been brought in to help identify this rose, but no one has any clue as to the actual name or origin. I think that is probably as it should be. Perhaps this rose is now fulfilling it’s purpose in reminding us to never give up even when all seems to be lost.
“This rose has become a symbol among gardeners and rose lovers of a tenacious plant associated with a spirit of renewal and regrowth in the aftermath of a devastating blow of Nature against those living and gardening in the Gulf Coast area.” –William Welch (Prof Texas A & M)
Friends Made the Difference
“I would rather walk with a friend in the dark, than alone in the light.” -Helen Keller
During the very dark days and months after Katrina the last thing on Peggy’s mind was creating a new garden and that’s where her friends came in. One of the ways they helped her heal was through rebuilding her garden. One by one they began to bring roses back into Peggy’s life. Peggy’s lovely new garden is now filled with 240 roses and rose companions of every kind. She is currently involved in many rose organizations, like the Heritage Rose Foundation and she is the Chairman for the Old Garden Rose and Shrub Committee of the American Rose Society.
Below are pictures of Peggy’s current garden…
Beautiful and charming just like Peggy herself.
It’s All About the Soil
In talking with Peggy I learned that she has been a completely organic gardener for 40 years. She is all about healthy soil and integrated plant and pest management — a system she calls “the easiest way to garden.” During the interview, she gave many tips for creating a healthy garden whether you are new to gardening or someone who wants to take your garden to the next level. She also gave us her advice on rose selection.
The Podcast
During our time together we talked about so much more–like her complete step-by-step guide for taking rose cuttings.
There 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.
Will Radler: Father of the Knock Out family of roses and so much more. (Hear him tell his story on Rose Chat here.)
