Without a doubt the hardest question to ask a rose lover is, “what is what’s your favorite rose.” Not kidding!
When that question is asked you see that deer in the headlights look 😳 and you hear things like … “pick a favorite, how can I pick a favorite, I love them all,” or you might hear ….”the one that’s currently blooming”. But the classic response is… “don’t ask me that – that’s like asking me which of my children I like best.”
I decided to ask anyway and framed the question like this… “what has been your favorite rose(s) for 2023”. Yes, I heard all the usual responses as listed above but I heard some specifics too… 🌹
CAROLYN LLOYD…
‘South Africa’ is a beautiful Grandiflora that has done outstanding for me this year! I love a robust beautiful golden yellow rose! It is also very disease resistant.
LINDA KIMMEL…
‘Chantilly Cream’ is gorgeous. Opens up yellow and fades to cream. It is a pretty cream color as it ages, holds its substance. Chantilly Cream is healthy, no blackspot and winter hardy with average mulching.
‘Sedona’ has been a pleasant orange surprise. Coral-orange pointed buds open to high centered HT blooms with a sweet fragrance. Stems are strong, upright with dark green foliage that are disease resistant. Winter hardiness yet to be determined.
TRUDY STRUCK…
I have to say that ‘Sunny Sky’ is my favorite rose for 2023. Sunny Sky is a HT Kordes rose. It is outside of my screen porch where I spend a lot of time when I’m at home and not in my garden. It has huge gorgeous yellow blooms and has bloomed almost nonstop all season. It is also a good cut rose.
MARK NOLEN…
My favorite rose that I just started growing this year from maiden plants is ‘RBG’. It is a miniflora that is an outstanding exhibition rose, and each rose has excellent exhibition form. It has some sprays, but most of the blooms are on single stems.
The rose was hybridized by Steve Singer of Wisconsin Roses (link), and the name is actually in honor of deceased Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsberg (RBG) . I would recommend this rose to anyone.
JOHN HEFNER…
My favorite rose this season is ‘Louise Estes’, an older hybrid tea that was introduced in 1991. Elegance could be used as a description for this pink blend bloom that nearly always displays flawless exhibition form. An added bonus is the sweet fragrance that it offers when you are are nearby. I have to admit it is one of the best plants that I have in my garden as I recently I counted fifty blooms on this special plant. (Available at Wisconsin Roses … Link.)
Receiving the runner-up rewards are ‘Mango Blush’, and ‘Strawberry Kisses’ – all are Mini-floras that are exceptional.
TERESA BYINGTON…
One of my favorite roses for the past few years is ‘Mother of Pearl’. This peachy-pink beauty is rarely without blooms. The blooms are lightly fragrant and the foliage is very healthy. One of the things that I like best about this grandiflora is that she holds her blooms for a very, very long time. I look out on a bed of 8 Mother of Pearl’s beside our patio from my kitchen and she never lets me down – there’s always something to see! She looks amazing in mass! Size: 4′ X 2′
My runner up would be Reminiscent Pink from Proven Winners. She is new to the garden (and market) but you would never know it by her performance. Blooming machine. Blooms resemble full blooms such as David Austins. Very fragrant and extremely healthy.
ABOUT THE INDIANAPOLIS ROSE SOCIETY
The Indianapolis Rose Society is affiliated with the American Rose Society and the Illinois/Indiana District. We are a group of amateur rose growers with varied levels of experience.
Our time together ranges from member garden parties, wine and roses parties and tours (always popular as there are some amazing gardens) to workshops on rose pests and diseases, general rose care, as well as recommendations for growing roses in our region! It is amazing how much we learn from the experts we bring in and from our local members! There’s always fun, food and prizes involved too.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership in the Indianapolis Rose Society is open to anyone interested in roses.
We have members who are just starting to learn about roses and members who grow from one rose to those who grow 400 roses and are excellent at mentoring.
⭐️ Once you are a member… you will receive regular updates that include…
- 🌹Society news
- 🌹Upcoming programs
- 🌹Invitations to private garden tours
- 🌹Access to past recorded programs via our “Members Only” Section
- 🌹How to purchase our fertilizer
- 🌹Discounts on roses through our annual rose sale
- 🌹Automatic inclusion in the IL IN Rose District events
- 🌹And, you will learn ways you can jump in and get involved!
MEMBERSHIP $20
Download application HERE.
2024 OFFICERS
The 2024 officers have been selected and are ready to go. We are already busy making plans for 2024. Stay tuned!
- President: Trudy Struck
- 1st VP: Teresa Downham
- 2nd VP: Carolyn Lloyd
- Secretary: Kim Chmielewski
- Treasurer: Tad Sayama
- Membership: Norma Bledsoe
- Newsletter Editor: Linda Kimmel
- Website/Social Media: Teresa Byington
- Past President: Eloisa Garza
FIND US ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Facebook here
Instagram here.
QUESTIONS?
If you have questions, contact us via email here.
Indianapolis Rose Society 