June is National Rose Month. What a perfect time to celebrate our National Floral Emblem!
Roses have a long and colorful history. Through the years they have been symbols of love, beauty, war and politics. Their beauty, romance, history and versatility is unmatched. She is the Queen of Flowers.
A FASCINATING JOURNEY
It took some time to find just the right flower to be our National Floral Emblem!
In 1901 President William McKinley sponsored the red carnation! While we don’t know too much about that, we do know quite a bit about the fight for the marigold!
On January 12, 1959, the president of the W. Atlee Burpee Co., David Burpee, wrote newly-elected Senate Minority Leader Everett M. Dirksen, proclaiming the virtues of the marigold and calling it “the flower of the people.” David Burpee was vigilant in the fight. He was known for using PT Barnum’s model for promotion and advertising — just like his dad! For nearly 10 years Burpee and Dirksen campaigned for the marigold. Ten years is dedication!
Many other flowers were considered too … there were even those who strongly suggested the corn tassel be our national flower. What?
A ROSE IS A ROSE IS A ROSE
While the debate went on for at least 85 years, we are so pleased with the final decision.
In 1986 President Ronald Reagan signed a resolution making the rose the national floral emblem at a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden…
“Americans have always loved the flowers with which God decorates our land. More often than any other flower, we hold the rose dear as the symbol of life and love and devotion, of beauty and eternity. For the love of man and woman, for the love of mankind and God, for the love of country, Americans who would speak the language of the heart do so with a rose.
We see proof of this everywhere. The study of fossils reveals that the rose has existed in America for age upon age. We have always cultivated roses in our gardens. Our first President, George Washington, bred roses, and a variety he named after his mother is still grown today. The White House itself boasts a beautiful Rose Garden. We grow roses in all our fifty States. We find roses throughout our art, music, and literature. We decorate our celebrations and parades with roses. Most of all, we present roses to those we love, and we lavish them on our altars, our civil shrines, and the final resting places of our honored dead.
The American people have long held a special place in their hearts for roses. Let us continue to cherish them, to honor the love and devotion they represent, and to bestow them on all we love just as God has bestowed them on us.
The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 159 has designated the rose as the National Floral Emblem of the United States and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation declaring this fact.
NOW, THEREFORE, I, RONALD REAGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the rose as the National Floral emblem of the United States of America.”
Thank you President Regan. It is our pleasure to continue to represent all aspects of the rose. Yes, the rose is in good hands with the American Rose Society and our local societies.
WHAT A PERFECT TIME TO… Join a local socia societyl and the American Rose Society.
IF YOU ARE LOCAL…
My local society is the INDIANAPOLIS ROSE SOCIETY where I am a past president and currently serve as the Website and Social Media chair.
🌹This is a fun, thriving society filled with rose growers of all ages and stages of growing.
🌹We have members growing a few roses and members growing hundreds!
🌹We have members who are just getting started and members who have been growing for more than 50 years.
🌹Our meeting are open to the public – except for some special events like member garden tours etc and those are reserved for members BUT they will be clearly marked as such!
🌹For $25 a year you get ALL the benefits.|
🌹Membership details HERE.
Great programs, good food, door prizes and plenty of rose talk! We end each meeting with a “round table” discussion where you can share your successes, failures, ask questions and experience help through the experience of others!
OUR IRS MEETING NEXT TUESDAY…
Click onto our website HERE and find out all the details about what to bring and how to RSVP. I know you’ll have the best time! 🎉
AMERICAN ROSE SOCIETY
For less than the price of a dozen beautiful vased roses, you can become of member of the American Rose Society and open up a world of history, education, projects, rose reviews, growing tips and so much more! And one of the very best things is the beautiful, award winning magazine AMERICAN ROSE that you can chose to receive either digitally or print. Details here.
We are so fortunate to have a historical organization looking out for the interest of the rose and those who grow her. The ARS’s rose roots run deep and wide!
EASY BREEZY…
You can very qucikly sign up for the ARS free E-Newletter, The Fragrant Rose HERE. Do check it out!
ROSE CHAT PODCASTS
I have been having all kinds of fun talking to some of our leading rose experts! If you have ideas for future programs, please let me know! HERE
GROWING ROSES 101
Suzanne Gilbert, Master Rosarian
On this podcast I went back to the basics with Suzanne Gilbert, Past President of the Houston Rose Society and currently serving as secretary for the South-Central District of the American Rose Society. Today is the day for basic information that will be helpful to new rose growers as well as a refresher to those who have been growing for awhile. From choosing the right rose, to rose care and where to get ongoing information, Suzanne is the perfect person to speak to these basics as someone who began growing roses as a child and has grown roses is several growing zones.
ALL ABOUT CLIMBING ROSES
Robin Jennings, Senior Brand Marketing Manager at Heirloom Roses
In this episode I’m joined by Robin Jennings of Heirloom Roses. Join us as we dive into the beauty and versatility of climbing roses. From climbing roses’ rich history and how they’ve evolved, to tips on planting, pruning, and training, we cover everything you need to know to grow climbers successfully. We also touch on trending varieties, this year’s most popular rose colors, and what’s new at Heirloom Roses this season.
Coming JUNE 8…
CRITTERS & CRUD: Crown Gall & Chilli Thrips
Gaye Hammond, Master Rosarian
On this episode I’m joined by Gaye Hammond. Gaye will tackle two garden trouble makers, Crown Gall and Chili Thrips. It is hard to overstate the impact Gaye Hammond has had on the world of roses. Any time you have the opportunity to hear Gaye speak, we highly recommend you do! Roses and rose lovers have benefited greatly from the expertise and energy she gives every project … from her work with the Houston rose society – leading them into their becoming one of the largest and most active roses societies with a membership nearing 500 to RRD research, rose history, rose trials and more. Listen in as we benefit from the hours of research she puts into every project. Coming Sun, June 8 … HERE.
BLOOM THYME AROUND THE GARDEN…
We’ve had a rainy, cool season but blooms are coming! Over and over I am reminded of why I love spring so much. There is nothing like the fresh blooms and having an abundance to share.
Since I am still in the moving around some roses era, many are small and not making the garden impact they will in a year or two but each bloom reminds me why I added some new ones.
One rose that has completely stolen my heart is the oh so fragrant and beautiful Moonlight Romantica! Do you grow it. She’s new so time will tell how she does overall but her start is impressive.
The “companion” that grabbed my attention early on and still has it is the lupine you see in the image below that is paired with Moonlight Romantica and My Monet Weigela (Proven Winners)
(I have 3)
Here the blooms are just getting started and there are many more to come!
May we bloom as the flowers and be an example of God’s grace to the world!
Happy gardening friends!
