For our January meeting we will stay snug in our homes, take advantage of the magic of Zoom and be enveloped in the world of rose fragrance!
Tues, January 13 , 6:30 pm / EST
PROGRAM: Fragrance in Roses SPEAKER: Carolyn Elgar
Carolyn Elgar is the editor of the multi-award winning Orange County Rose Society newsletter, the Rose Gazette. She has also had several articles published in the ARS American Rose magazine.
Carolyn will share with us the history of rose fragrance and talk about roses that are noted for their fragrance as well as factors that influence the release of rose fragrance. Bonus… her presentation will include beautiful pictures of roses while our roses are sleeping!
Those who attended the ILL/ IND Fall District Meeting had the pleasure of hearing Carolyn speak via Zoom and really enjoyed her!
Grab some hot chocolate, tea or a glass of wine and make plans to join us in the new year — invite friends too. They can join us from wherever they are via their phones, tablets or computers.
ZOOM SIGN IN DETAILS: Coming soon – check back closer to meeting time!
COMING SOON – 2026 ROSE SALE LIST
Be on the look out for the release of the 2026 ROSE SALE LIST! REMEMBER, first come / first serve for these amazing roses. This information will also be in our member newsletter.
MEMBERSHIP
Start 2026 out by becoming a member or renewing your membership. For details on why and how to do that …. click HERE.
HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON
We wish you a very happy holiday season and look forward to all things rose in 2026!
Our 2025 rose year came to a close with a fun evening sharing good food, awarding some over achievers in our group, and getting started with 2026 planning. Kim Chmielewski shared the process for choosing roses to offer in our annual rose sale.
A LOOK BACK THROUGH 2025….
JANUARY: Zoom Meeting / History of Roses: Gaye Hammond
JANUARY: Project: Annual Rose Sale rose list released.
FEBRUARY: Zoom Meeting / ABCs of OGRs: Connie Hilker
MARCH: He Says / She Says: Joe and Carrie Bergs
MARCH: Project: Fertilizer Mixing for annual fertilizer sale
APRIL: Roses for Rose Sale arrive and are given out
Program: Back to the Basics: Rose Care
MAY: Program: Cultivating Balance with Native Plants & Insects
JUNE: Bouquet Making Workshop / Program: Tips, Tricks & Hacks of Floral Design by Mitch Reed
JULY: Garden Tours: Cates Garden Tour and Eagleson Garden Tour
AUGUST: Propagation Night
AUGUST: Workshop: Bud Grafting Workshop in John & Donna Hefner’s garden
SEPTEMBER: Rose Stories: Teresa Byington & Trudy Struck
Round Table Discussion: What to do to get our roses ready for fall.
OCTOBER: All About Rose Hips: John Hefner / Book and Plant Swap / Round Table: Tips for Fall and Winter Rose Care
QUESTIONS FOR YOU…
What were your fav activities this year?
Any activites / events you’d like to see us repeat?
What ideas do you have for 2026?
Would you consider being a part of one of our teams next year?
Rose sale distribution
Local Spring Garden Festival – handing out literature
Fertilizer Mixing
Having an Open Garden
When you have a minute, please let us know your thoughts about any or all of these. Your input makes a huge difference!! Just click this link … LINK (This will take you to the Rose Society Email.)
MOVING AHEAD…
In January we start again from the warmth of our cozy homes via the magic of ZOOM where Carolyn Elgar sweeps us to her home in sunny California to talk to us about ROSE FRAGRANCE. Doesn’t that sound like a perfect program for January!
NOTE: Prior to the meeting you will receive an email with a ZOOM link to join us from your computer, mobile phone or iPad/notebook.
Also in January our ANNUAL ROSE SALE begins. Remember First Come/ First Serve… so order early! Supplies are limited. The roses are priced at such a saving from garden center prices! Watch for information on the website and in our newsletter.
In February we will have another ZOOM meeting – speaker/subject TBD.
March will be the kickoff of our in-person meetings at Sullivan Munce.
Thank you for being a part of all the fun of 2025!
We wish you a wonderful holiday season and look forward to saying “hi” on our screens in January as we start garden dreaming and planning together!
Tuesday, November 11, 6:30 pm Sullivan Munce / Zionsville
ABOUT THE EVENING:
Join for a casual evening to end our year with good food and rose friends. We will celebrate and reminisce about all we accomplished in 2025. We will introduce our 2026 board, discuss future plans and honor those who have served above and beyond. Dinner will be provided.
RSVP
RSVP isn’t necessary but it sure is helpful in planning. If you are coming please let us know by sending a quick emailHERE. Thank you!
WHAT YOU CAN BRING:
Please bring a dessert or drink of your choice, your comments on meetings and events of 2025 and your creative ideas for 2026. And, as always bring your questions and comments about growing roses, our “round table” is always open to share tips and tricks.
🌹NOTE: Those who have won medals from the American Rose Society and our society should wear them. We want to see your bling!
We look forward to a fun evening together.
OCTOBER MEETING RECAP…
Our October meeting was a fun filled evening talking about rose hips and rose hybridization. Thank you to John Hefner for the interesting program.
IN OTHER NEWS…
Two of our members were awarded the American Rose Society’s Silver Medal at the IL IN District meeting in October.
ABOUT THE AWARD (FROM ARS WEBSITE)
Each District of the American Rose Society may annually award the American Rose Society Silver Honor Medal to any ARS member who is an official member of that District who, in the opinion of the District Awards Committee, has provided meritorious service to the rose and its culture, for efforts expended in support of the American Rose Society and its objectives within the District.
2024 WINNER: TERESA BYINGTON
Current District Social Media Chairman, Website Administrator and Past District Director
Member of Indianapolis Rose Society – Current Social Media Chair, Website Administrator and Past President , Bronze Award Recipient
2025 WINNER: TERESA DOWNHAM
Current District Treasurer
Member of Indianapolis Rose Society – Current Present, Bronze Award Recipient
IRS OCTOBER MEETING…
ILLINOIS INDIANA DISTRICT MEETING …
Sonja’s Presentation on Rose CompanionsPotpourri MakingPotpourri MakingDavid Austin Presentation
PROGRAM: ALL ABOUT ROSE HIPS SPEAKERS: John and Donna Hefner
John and Donna will share about rose hips, their purpose, and interesting little known uses. John and Donna will also discuss how roses are hybridized.
BOOK AND PLANT SWAP
BOOKS: Have some extra books or gardening magazines laying around. Bring them and get them back into circulation. And, you’ll have a chance to maybe pick up something that will be just right for you!
PLANTS… Have you heard the term Pass Along Plants? If you are from the South, the chances are great that this is a very familiar term to you!
If you are looking for something new or have an over-achiever that is taking up too much space … this is the event for you.
Bring your plants to “pass along” to another garden! Please label and have in a container. NOTE: Your container could be something as simple as a grocery bag as long as it can be transported safely.
If this is new to you and you are wondering what plants you could bring, here are a few ideas of plants that “pass along’ well: Salvia, Iris, Hostas, Daylilies, Catmint, Phlox, Sedum, groundcovers and so many more.
NOTE: You do not have to bring a book or a plant to take some home!
GRAB A FRIEND Our meetings are open to the public, so grab a friend and join us.
UPCOMING EVENTS
Take a look at upcoming events for our society… HERE.
JOIN OR RENEW TODAY!
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!
LOOKING FOR TIPS ON GROWING ROSES IN INDIANA? Check out article by our members, HERE.
HERE ARE SOME IMAGES FROM SUMMER EVENTS…
IRS 8/12/2025IRS 8/12/2025
DID YOU KNOW?
Last year our society turned 75!
In 2024, the Indianapolis Rose Society celebrated its seventy-fifth year of providing rose educational meetings, garden tours and rose shows to its membership and citizens residing in central Indiana.
At a celebration hosted by Jim and Trudy Struck, several of our past presidents were able to attend.
Whether you are a long time member or brand new, we look forward to seeing you on Tues, Oct 14 / 6:30 pm when we’ll talk about the fascinating subject of Rose Hips! Dont’ miss it!
“In the garden, Autumn is, indeed the crowning glory of the year, bringing us the fruition of months of thought and care and toil.” -Rose G. Kingsley
Join us at the Sullivan Munce Center for a fun evening of food, fellowship and learning! Teresa Byington and Trudy Struck will share some stories and history on how their favorite roses got their names. Ever wonder how the rose Quietness got it’s name? Join us and find out. Members are encouraged to find the history or story of their favorite rose and share it with the group.
We will also be discussing the top 5 things we should be doing NOW to get your roses ready for fall and eventually winter. Don’t be left out in the cold on this one.
Mark Your Calender:
October 14 / 6:30 pm / Sullivan Munce
Join us at the Sullivan Munce Center for a perennial and book giveaway. Have a gardening book or magazine gathering dust on a bookshelf? Bring it to the meeting to give to someone. Dividing some perennials and don’t have a home for them? Bring them to the meeting for a garden friend. You don’t have to bring something to take something. If you do bring a perennial, make sure to cut it back and place it in a pot or plastic bag. Please label the pots or bags so people can remember what they brought home. We will also have a presentation on Rose Hips. What are they? What is their purpose? What should you do with them? What should you not do with them? Inquiring minds will want to know!
Sat, August 2 / 2 pm Grafting Workshop & Garden Tour Hosted by John and Donna Hefner Details Here
Tues, Aug 12 / 6:30 pm / Sullivan Munce PROPAGATION NIGHT Scott Ferrell will demonstrate Air Layering Propagation Method. Teresa Downham will demonstrate pegging method. We will end our time together with… ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION: BEATING THE HEAT Come and share what’s going on in your garden:
What plants are thriving this season… or ones that are not!
Tips on beating the heat in the garden.
Your favorite rose(s) so far this year.
Ask questions about rose care or issues you are having.
Share your advice.
ADDITIONAL EVENTS
To see our calendar of events that includes the American Rose Society webinars, follow this LINK…
DID YOU SEE THESE?
Here are pictures from our Bouquet Making Workshop in June.
Our speaker, Mitch Reed, was fantastic. He gave us so many tips and tricks of flower arranging. It was so inspiring to watch him demonstrate and then turn us loose!
Everyone brought flowers and greenery so we had so many beautiful things to choose from as we made our creations.
Our flower arrangements (40 of them) were taken to Zionsville Meadows Nursing Home for their residents to enjoy! We heard rave reviews from the Meadows!
WE’D LOVE TO HEAR FROM YOU!
Do you have an idea for a meeting or have a program you would like to give? Send us an email and let us know…. HERE.
JOIN / RENEW
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 hundreds and are excellent at mentoring.
⭐️ Once you are a member… you will receive regular updates that include…
🌹Society news
🌹Upcoming programs
🌹Invitations to members only event / private tours
🌹Access to past recorded programs via our “Members Only” Section
🌹Info on how to purchase our fertilizer
🌹Discounts on roses through our annual rose sale
🌹Automatic inclusion in the IL IN Rose District events
🌹Information on growing roses in our area.
🌹And, you will learn ways you can jump in and get involved!
“The glory of gardening: hands in the dirt, head in the sun, heart with nature. To nurture a garden is to feed not just the body, but the soul.” —Alfred Austin
Larry and Kerry Cates will open their amazing garden for us and there is so much to see! You will love it and be so inspired. Stop by anytime between 10 am – 2 pm. Read about the garden here.
Our speaker, Mitch Reed, was fantastic. He gave us so many tips and tricks of flower arranging. It was so inspiring to watch him demonstrate and then turn us loose!
Everyone brought flowers and greenery so we had so many beautiful things to choose from as we made our creations.
Our flower arrangements (40 of them) were taken to Zionsville Meadows Nursing Home for their residents to enjoy!
Grafting, or budding, is a technique for propagating plants where you take a piece from one plant and fuse it onto another using a T-bud method. We use multiflora rootstock in order to do this, and a young stem that has established leaves that has recently flowered (a stem from a bloom that has recently faded).
John Hefner and Mark Nolan will provide instructions for everyone on the specific technique of grafting. IRS will provide rootstock for everyone in addition to instructions, tools and roses to graph. If you have a rose that you would like to graft from home, please make sure the rose stem is watered thoroughly two days prior to the graft.
If you are bringing your own budding tools, make sure they are sterilized with alcohol. Grafting tape will also be available to secure the graft.
The rootstock that is supplied is provided in a 5 gallon pot so be prepared to water the rootstock daily to ensure the soil of your new graft stays moist.
This is always a super fun workshop and of course we all want to see the Hefner’s beautiful garden! It really is amazing!
Excellent learning opp, good friends, good food and loads of rose talk!
PROGRAM: Tips, Tricks & Hacks of Floral Design SPEAKER: Mitch Reed, Catering and Floral Design
In honor of National Rose Month, we are filling vases with roses and other flowers to share.
We will share our creations with those at Zionsville Meadows Nursing Home. They are so excited to get them! Norma Bledsoe has been our contact with them and will deliver our arrangements. Thank you Norma!
ABOUT OUR SPEAKER…
Mitch Reed- flower enthusiast, creative designer, foodie, and your guide for today’s workshop. Born and raised in South Louisiana, Floral Design became a second career after graduating with a degree in Hospitality Management and being immersed in the event and catering world. I attended the American School of Flower Design in Houston and San Francisco which led to a new job in Chicago where my passion for floral design expanded. I’ve now been arranging florals for 8 years, and it’s still a joyful, grounding part of my day when I get a chance to create. I currently work for Crystal Signature Events which is how I got to know Teresa Downham. I can’t wait to share some simple, beautiful techniques to bring your own designs to life. My personal favorite florals are Ranunculus, various types of Tulips, and Dahlias.
Flowers and greenery from your garden. (You can also purchase flowers to bring. Most grocery stores and especially Trader Joe’s usually have some great floral deals.) It would be best to bring flowers in a container of water to keep them fresh longer!
Jars/Vases (Pickle jars, spaghetti sauce jars, ball jars, etc. Nothing larger than quart jars. Please remove labels.)
ROSE SOCIETY WILL PROVIDE…
Jute and other ribbon
Extra flowers/greenery
Extra jars/vases
We look forward to seeing you at this hands-on, super fun event! Psst… Don’t forget to RSVP.
Tuesday, May 20 / 6:30 pm Sullivan Munce Center 225 West Hawthorne Street / Zionsville
PROGRAM
Cultivating Balance with Native Plants and Insect Allies
The Boone County Invasive Cooperative and the Xerces Society will present: Cultivating Balance With Native Plants and Insect Allies. They will be discussing how to limit pesticide use via beneficial insects and also how invasive plants and insects affect our gardens.
SPEAKERS:
Lynne Lautzenhiser, Certified Chemical Applicator and Indiana Master Naturalist
Susan Conaway, Xerxes Society volunteer ambassador for Indiana and Master Naturalist
Josephine Lock, Vice-Chair, Strategic Planner and Lead for the Weed Wrangle and Restoration Team
ROUND TABLE DISCUSSIONS…
With or without a round table our meetings end with door prizes and a time to share what’s going on in your garden and get any question(s) you have answered! Oh, and the meetings begin with yummy snacks.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Feel free to bring a friend with you. This meeting is open to the public. We look forward to seeing you! Note: There are member only activities (member garden tours, etc.) but those will be advertised as members only.
MEMBERSHIP
If you would like to become a member, it’s easy and only $25 annually. Details to become a member or renew your membership is HERE.
ABOUT US…
The Indianapolis Rose Society is affiliated with the American Rose Society and the Illinois/Indiana Rose District. We are a group of amateur rose growers with varied levels of experience. Some member are just getting started and some have been growing for years! All are welcome!
SHARE…
Feel free to share this information and/or the image below with others via email or your social accounts!
The roses ARE COMING ON WED, APRIL 9, pick up at 6 pm at Sulllivan Munce! You can pick up roses and your fertilizer order! Our meeting will get started around 6:30. See program details below…
PROGRAM: THE BASICS
Discussion on Planting, Pruning, Fertilizing and Watering. Bring your questions and your tips and tricks!
FERTILIZER
The fertilizer is ready! If you would like to purchase the IRS “Famous” Rose Fertilizer it will be available at our next meeting. We have both 10 lb ($15) and 20 lb ($25) bags. For additional details on the fertilizer … follow this link for all the information…
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.
Membership is open to anyone interested in roses.
⭐️ 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!
On March 11, 6:30 pm EST, we will have our first in-person meeting of 2025 at the Sullivan Munce Cultural Center, 225 West Hawthorne Street / Zionsville, IN.
We are excited to welcome Joe and Carrie Bergs down from Wisconsin! Carrie is the current VP of the American Rose Society and Joe is her partner in crime in all things rose. They grow an amazing garden and are major competitors at rose shows – winning high honors both at the local and national level!
HE SAYS / SHE SAYS A Pair of Perspectives on Rose Gardening
Every year, since 2012, Joe and Carrie have cultivated, mulched, fertilized, winter protected, deadheaded, and pruned over 400 roses on their historic 15-acre farmstead in Union Grove, Wisconsin. Joe, an easy-going child psychiatrist by profession is an energetic, task-oriented gardener in his free time. A glass half-full optimist, he definitely views life and their garden through rose-colored glasses. Always on the lookout for half-empty glasses, Carrie is a detail driven gardening perfectionist who leaves no stone unturned.
Together, (they just celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary) they are an almost perfect gardening match! In their lighthearted presentation “He Says, She Says” A Pair of Perspectives on Rose Gardening they reveal their shared strategies and individual approaches to caring for their roses and other gardens.
MEETING OPEN TO THE PUBLIC!
Our meetings are open to the public, so grab a friend or group of friends and join us. Spring is just around the corner and having so many garden lovers in one place sure ramps up the excitement!
2025 ANNUAL ROSE SALE
There are so many wonderful roses on our rose sale list this year and for a great price – especially if you get the “member discount (see below)! Take a look at them here.
MEMBERSHIP
Membership is open to anyone interested in roses.
⭐️ 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
🌹Info on how to purchase our very popular 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!
One of our favorites will be ZOOMING with us in February – Connie Hilker.
Zoom meetings are easy to share with others regardless of location. Our January meeting was filled with rose lovers from around the country! So fun to all be together! Please share this information with others! We look forward to seeing you there!
TUES, FEB 11, 6:30 PM EST (ZOOM) PROGRAM: THE ABCs of OGRs
Do you know your Tea from a Centifolia, and what exactly IS a Hybrid China? This program provides descriptions and examples of the various classes of old-garden roses, in approximately the order in which they were developed.
ABOUT CONNIE HILKER
Connie Hilker has been growing and studying heritage roses since 2002. She is president of the Stafford County Historical Society, a member of the Board of Trustees of the Heritage Rose Foundation, manages the historic rose collection at Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia, and is the author of Heritage Roses: A Collection of Essays and Lessons. She was the chair of the Heritage and Preservation Committee of the American Rose Society and owned and operated Hartwood Roses, a nursery which specialized in rare, historic roses. Connie can often be found lecturing and leading workshops about all aspects of roses, searching cemeteries and old home sites for roses to rescue, and tending her garden of 500 varieties of roses at the home that she shares with her husband Steve in Hartwood, Virginia.
Zoom programs are recorded and made available to our members at any time. If you are not a member, what a good time to join. Or if you are a member maybe it is time to renew! Details here.
Connie’s Book…
ANNUAL ROSE SALE
The Indianapolis Rose Society’s annual rose sale is on and the list is amazing. Take a look here.
The Indianapolis Rose Society 2025 annual rose sale is on! As in the past, the roses will be available on a FIRST COME / FIRST SERVE basis. Wait until you see the list – we have some phenomenal roses coming!
Here is a PDF of the roses for sale. A fantastic list! Enjoy!
We are excited to kick off the 76th year of the Indianapolis Rose Society’s dedication to helping others grow and enjoy roses. Yes- 76 years dedicated to our shared love of roses! Our theme for 2025 will center around: Growing roses, good for the body, mind, and spirit. Over the past 76 years, our group has evolved to meet the ever- changing trends and needs of the backyard gardener. Some of our members grow 250+ roses and others grow just one special rose. No matter your age, your ability, or your growing space we welcome you to our group. We like to say we’re not just growing roses, we’re growing friendships too.
During January and February, our meetings are held via zoom. The link can be found on the home page of our website. During the other months, we hold in-person meetings, garden tours and special events. Most in-person meetings are held at the Sullivan Munce Cultural Center in Zionsville, Indiana. All meetings are open to the public so feel free to bring yourselves and friends. People who join as members of our group will enjoy extra benefits such as members only garden tours and events. Please visit the events page of our website for meeting dates and times.
We hope to see you in 2025! Teresa Downham, President
NOTE: Robin has had to postpone and Gaye Hammond will now be joining us on Jan 14.
PROGRAM: HISTORY OF ROSES: AMERICA’S TRUE NATIVE PLANT
Few do the indepth research on a subject as Gaye. Join us as she takes us on a journey of the history of roses in the United States from antiquity to the 1900s.
ABOUT GAYE HAMMOND
Gaye is the Past President of the Houston Rose Society. She is a life member and patron of American Rose Society and serves on the Marketing Committee of the national organization. Gaye is also the study liaison between the Houston Rose Society and the Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service in connection with Earth- Kind® Rose Research – the largest environmental rose research study done in the U.S. Gaye is an entertaining speaker and an avid writer of more than 300 articles that have been published in local, state, national and international magazines and newspapers. She has co-authored a peer-reviewed journal article on Earth-Kind Roses published in 2009 in Floriculture & Ornamental Biotechnology, a chapter in The Sustainable Rose Garden and authored a chapter in the book, Gulf Coast Gardening.
GAYE HAMMOND ROSE: Shrub by Dr. David Zlesak, United States, 2007
A rose that’s hardy enough for northern climates and strong enough for the deep south? That’s the Gaye Hammond for you, a vigorous shrub rose creating clusters of 2 inch blooms throughout the year on an upright shrub covered in glossy green foliage. Golden orange buds open into cheerful yellow blooms with tinge of coral and age to cream. Flowers are self-deadheading and the shrub is very resistant to black spot and mildew.
Robin Jennings is the Senior Brand Marketing Manager at Heirloom Roses
PROGRAM
Robin will tackle the very important topic of bridging generations of gardeners. As a millennial, she will share who the new gardeners are, what they are looking for, and how seasoned gardeners can play a part.
CHECK BACK for upcoming meetings!
ZOOM MEETINGS ARE RECORDED
Zoom meetings are recorded and made available to our members. If you are not a member, what a good time to join. Details here.
A TIME TO DREAM
Who doesn’t love the fresh start a new year brings! Yes, garden dreams filled with baskets of roses, opportunites to learn and rosy friends to share our rose love with. Come join us!
The gardening season is winding down but the fun factor for our gatherings is strong.
COMING SOON!
WITCHES BREW & STEW
TUESDAY, OCT 8 / 6:30 to 9:00 pm Sullivan Munce Cultural Center 225 West Hawthorne Street / Zionsville, IN
COSTUME INFO:
Come dressed as a rose or something related to roses.
FOOD INFO:
🍁Bring a soup, stew, or chili or your favorite side to serve with stews and chili to share. 🍁Round Table Topic “What are the Monsters in Your Yard this Year?’ 🍁Prizes for best Stew and Costume.
🍁Please sign up here for what food you will bring to the meeting… SIGNUP
This event is open to the public so grab a friend and come join us!
HOLIDAY PARTY
TUES, NOV 12 / 6:30 pm Sullivan Munce Cultural Center 225 West Hawthorne Street / Zionsville, IN
🌲DINNER & WINE TASTING 🌲DESSERT CONTEST 🌲INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS 🌲SNEAK PEEK OF 2025 ROSE SALE 🌲REVIEW OF 2024 SEASON
Renowned artist, Rita Spalding graciously hosted a Wine and Canvas event at her home in Irvington.
Members had the opportunity to paint their own masterpiece in a beautiful setting guided by Rita. The pictures tell you what a delight this event was. Huge thank you to Rita for sharing her talent and beautiful home and garden with us!
This was a “MEMBERS ONLY” Event. For information on how and why to become a member read on HERE (LINK). It’s not expensive and so worth it!
FRIENDLY REMINDER
✅ Please use the SIGNUP LINK above to let us know what food you are bringing to the October Meeting! And, start thinking about your costume!
✅ Please use the RSVP link to let us know you are coming to the Holiday Party so we can prepare for everyone!
We have two great events planned for July! Mark your calendars! These will be highlights of the summer season!
TUES / JULY 9 / 6:30 PM
ONE THOUSAND ROSES: Anne Belovich’s Indiana Legacy SPEAKER: Teddie Mower, Anne’s Daughter-in-law
LOCATION: Sullivan Munce Center 225 W Hawthorne Street / Zionsville
Anne Belovich lived a very interesting life especially when it came to roses. Come hear this fascinating story and learn about her beloved rambling roses.
Our meetings are open to the public so grab a friend or two and bring them with you!
MEMBERS ONLY…
WINE & ROSES BY THE POOL … 75th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION
LOCATION: Home of Trudy and Jim Struck
The celebration will be held pool side and you are welcome to enjoy an open garden walk around their beautiful garden of 60 roses, in addition to perennials, shrubs, and native flowers.
MENU…
On the menu will be pulled pork sliders, slaw and chips plus wine, beer and soft drinks.
If you would like to bring an appetizer, please do so.
We look forward to an evening celebrating 75 years of rose education, garden inspiration and growing friendships. Bring your Indianapolis Rose Society memories! This is a Members Only Event, but your spouse or “plus one” is welcome.
RSVP…
We are excited you can come. Please let us know to help with planning! RSVP HERE.
ROSEFEST UPDATE
Rosefest was truly a lovely day of roses. We met many new growers, answered questions, learned from our fabulous speakers and found fun gifts from our vendors.
HUGE THANK YOU!
Due to the generosity of Proven Winners, Heirloom Roses and Jackson & Perkins, many guests went home with a beautiful rose for their garden. Huge thanks for their donations!
Several of our members have told us they have fun rose stories to share. I hope you will have one too. Maybe it’s the background of a favorite rose or maybe it’s how you became interested in growing roses – whatever it is we are eager to hear it!
At this meeting we will also go over all the ROSEFEST details so each one of us feels ready for a fun day. We are also looking for volunteers to help. Take a look at the Volunteer list HERE. (NOTE: they’re all fun jobs!)
We’ll also have an update on the rose sale.
ROSEFEST
A day of roses is coming Saturday, June 8 from 9 am – 3 pm at the 4H Fairgrounds in Noblesville. Free and open to the public! We will have demonstrations, speakers, garden tours, vendors, a rose show and more! 🌹 For Rosefest details read on HERE…
ROSE TIPS AND TRICKS
Our rose expert John Hefner has written several articles that help us to care for our roses. Here are three that are great for spring!
DEALING WITH ROSE MIDGE
If you are dealing with Rose Midge, you are not alone. At one time or another most rose growers do! She’s been around awhile. Rose Midge appears to be an imported species that was first detected and described in 1884 when it was attacking greenhouse roses in New Jersey. We are lucky, John has had it and conquered it. Read all about it below.
It can be a daunting process for a newbie. John Hefner is not a newbie. Actually he is one of the most decorated rose growers in the US, winning local, district and national awards. I can’t imagine how many roses he has pruned in his 50+ years of growing the most amazing roses. Maybe he’ll tell us sometime! Certainly enough that we can count on his expertise! 😉 Read pruning article below.
Here is Trudy, Eloisa and Teresa having fun talking about our society and selling roses at the Hendricks Co Master Gardener Event – Gardening For All Ages.
SEE YOU SOON!
We look forward to seeing on Tuesday, May 7 at Sullivan Munce, 225 W Hawthorne St., in charming downtown Zionsville.
Our meetings are open to the public, so grab a friend and bring them too! Who doesn’t love roses!?!
1949 – 2024: 75 YEARS OF SHARING ROSES By John Hefner, Past President
In 2024, the Indianapolis Rose Society is celebrating its seventy-fifth year of providing rose educational meetings, garden tours and rose shows to its membership and citizens residing in central Indiana. The society was organized in 1949 by Dr. & Mrs. E. J. Nugent, Dr. E. H. Jordan and Marguerite Smith. Throughout its history, the society has been the benchmark for societies in the Illinois/Indiana District of the American Rose Society by providing continual rose education and leadership at the local, district and national levels of the American Rose Society.
In its proud seventy-five-year history, the society has experienced numerous events the included hosting two successful American Rose Society National Conventions held in 1979 and 1995 and the American Rose Society National Miniature Conference in 2005. Additionally, the society has served as host to eighteen (18) Illinois/Indiana conventions/rose shows and countless Horticulture and Arrangement Judging as well as Consulting Rosarian Schools and Seminars.
Members of the Indianapolis Rose Society have provided leadership at the district and national levels having six (6) District Directors and one (1) Regional Director of the American Rose Society. Many members have served and are continuing to serve on national committees and have had the honor of serving as chairman of the American Rose Society National Committees.
Members of the Indianapolis Rose Society have willingly shared their vast knowledge of the many aspects of their rose hobby by contributing educational articles for publication in the American Rose Magazine. Our organization has received recognition for publication excellence by receiving the American Rose Society Gold Medal for its newsletter, The Rosarian and the Award of Merit for the Indianapolis Rose Society’s publication Successful Rose Growing in Indiana.
Throughout its history, members have been responsible for adding twelve (12) new rose varieties to the rose world for their growing enjoyment. Rose introductions have been named for society members as well as family members. Two rose introductions have received the American Rose Society Award of Excellence Award. Individual success has been achieved by exhibiting roses at national conventions, having won six (6) National Queens of Show, three (3) National Miniature Queens of Show and one (1) National Mini Flora Queen. Members have also won Challenge Classes in both Horticulture and Arrangement classes at district and national shows.
The continual focus of the Indianapolis Rose Society has been the sharing of its members knowledge, expertise, and experiences to further promote rose growing. The membership continually participates in local garden show events, the latest of which is Rosefest. Rosefest features a rose garden created at the Hamilton County 4-H Fairgrounds by master gardeners who are also rose society members. The Rosefest event features nationally recognized speakers and local members sharing information to further promote rose growing. Rose Society members have had the distinct honor to present programs at American Rose Society district, regional as well as national events.
In its long 75 years history, the Indianapolis Rose Society is extremely proud of their many accomplishments of its membership. The focus has always been on educating and inspiring many facets of the Rose.
Congratulations are extended to members of the Indianapolis Rose Society for their loyalty and never-ending support as well as their desire to educate others regarding our National Floral emblem – the ROSE.
Our first in-person meeting is coming soon and we’d love to have you join us. Our meetings are open to the public so grab a friend to join you. We have a very special guest!
TUES, MAR 12, 6:30 pm
Sullivan Munce Cultural Center, Zionsville, IN (225 West Hawthorne Street)
SPEAKER: Rita Spalding, Rose Gardener & Professional Artist PROGRAM: The Big Canvas
Rita will be speaking about growing roses and using the roses in her paintings.
Bio: Rita Spalding’s paintings have been shown in group and solo exhibitions in galleries and museums in the United States and abroad. Her work has been acquired by public organizations, corporations, museums, schools, local businesses, and many private collectors Ms. Spalding is the recipient of numerous local, regional, and national awards and honors from prestigious associations, such as the American Impressionist Society, Oil Painters of America, Indiana Heritage Arts, and The Hoosier Salon. She was the Artist in Residence at the nationally acclaimed Children’s Museum of Indianapolis in 2018 and 2019 and has received The People’s Choice at the Hoosier Salon’s Annual Exhibition three out of the last three years that she participated.
GROWING ROSES IN INDIANA
Just in time for spring, we have compiled rose care articles from some of our master rosarians in one place for you. Most recently we added a comprehensive article on pruning roses from John Hefner. Check it out here.
ROSES FOR SALE
Our rose sale is still on and we are inching closer to time for them to arrive … early April! There are many beauties on the list. Check them out here.
COMING UP!
APRIL MEETING
Tues, Apr, 9, 6:30 pm Sullivan Munce, Zionsville, IN (225 West Hawthorne Street)
What’s New in Your Garden?
A time for members and guests to talk about their gardens, share ideas and ask questions!
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!
ROSEFEST / June 8
Hamilton Co. Fairground Stay tuned for more information on speakers, the rose show and how you can be involved.
Tuesday, Feb 13 / 6:30 pm EST PROGRAM: NEW ROSE STANDOUTS SPEAKER: Matt Douglas, Owner of High Country Roses (HCR Link)
Come learn about the history of High Country Roses and the roses they sell. Matt will also share his thoughts on some of the newer roses on the market that are proving to be real standouts.
Please share this information with other rose lovers or on your social media accounts! There’s room for everyone!
Here’s an image you can use…
VALENTINE’S DAY IS COMING SOON! HERE ARE SOME FUN FACTS…
Ever wonder how many roses are sold on Valentine’s day?
It is estimated that 250 million roses will be sold on Valentine’s Day 2024. Half of them will be red!
Heart Shaped Box…
The heart-shaped chocolate box–first came to be in the 1860s as an advertising tactic. Richard Cadbury first came up with the idea to boost sales of the product. —I’d say it worked!
Since the Victoria Era Rose Colors have had meanings. While those meanings have evolved over time, here are some of the more modern ones…
Red – Love, Beauty, Courage, Respect
White – Purity, Youthfulness, Innocence
Yellow – Friendship, Joy, Welcome Back
Dark Pink – Appreciation, Grace, Perfect Happiness
Light Pink – Sympathy, Admiration, Sweetness
Orange – Desire, Fascination, Enthusiasm
Lavender – Love at first sight, Enchantment
Peach – Appreciation, Gratitude
Cream – Thoughtfulness, Charm
🌹A great Valentine gift could be a rose bush from our annual rose sale! See details below!
PROGRAM: Year-Round Paradise: A Walk in My Garden SPEAKER: Jean Hardginski
🎉What an exciting way to kickoff 2024! 🎉
ABOUT JEAN’S GARDEN…
Since 1981 she and her husband, Paul, have owned this property. The current landscape plan was designed and implemented by Jean with physical labor provided by Paul! There is not one blade of grass on this 1-1/3-acre property!
There are 4 major garden areas surrounding the house. The bones of the garden include mature trees, shrubs, boulders, and stone and mulch paths. The gardens are designed to have color and texture all year round.
Jean’s love of roses and gardening comes from her mother and father who were both rose show ribbon awardees. For over 40 years she has elevated her gardening passion that’s best highlighted by her passion for roses. In July 2022, Jean’s gardens were selected by the University of Minnesota’s Landscape Arboretum as 1 of 4 gardens for the Arboretum’s annual private garden tour. 650 garden enthusiasts toured her gardens over the 3-day event.
Since 1981 she and her husband, Paul, have owned this property. The current landscape plan was designed and implemented by Jean with physical labor provided by Paul! There is not one blade of grass on this 1-1/3-acre property!
There are 4 major garden areas surrounding the house. The bones of the garden include mature trees, shrubs, boulders, and stone and mulch paths. The gardens are designed to have color and texture all year round.
One of the gardens started with the removal of a 25,000 gallon in-ground concrete swimming pool. 15 truckloads of fill were brought in and then the area was covered by a 1-foot-deep garden mix of leaf compost, black dirt, and sand. Golden Valley, MN has its fair share of clay soil therefore, Jean also amends her garden soils with pea gravel … an old soil amendment trick she learned from gardening friends in England. Her gardens are packed with mass groupings of flowering plants (e.g., the density heightens the colors and helps to keep the weeding down). Most of the major gardens were planted over the past 8-10 years. Each year brings new additions and lots of changes to locations of bulbs, perennials, and ground covers to optimize the happiness of the plants. Annuals are planted to enhance and extend the color in the gardens.
When in peak bloom (July), there are over 1,000 lily blooms in the gardens – Day Lilies, Asiatic Lilies, Oriental Lilies, and Martagon Lilies. There are 22-varieties of Hostas, the largest being ‘Empress Wu’ and the most colorful being ‘St. Elmo’s Fire’ with emerging yellow leaves and maroon stems. There are well over 500 Hosta plants in the mass planted areas of the gardens. There are 15 Peony varieties. She’s planted many ornamental grasses in order to have Summer, Fall and Winter interest throughout the landscape along with Daffodils, Tulips and Allium Giganteum planted for Spring interest.
Last, but not the least, there are 175 roses of various varieties integrated into her perennial gardens.
As in the past, the roses will be available on a FIRST COME / FIRST SERVED basis. Wait until you see the list – we have some phenomenal roses coming!
On the list are classic roses, climbing roses, miniature roses, some of the newest roses on the market, and roses that are currently making the biggest buzz in the rose community.
DID YOU KNOW?
It’s now a huge trend to grow roses! In 2023 the top 2 garden trends from Garden Design Magazine were:
Growing your own bouquets. (Roses fit this one perfectly.)
Cottage Gardens (Almost impossible to have a cottage garden without roses.)
Many of our young gardeners are very interested in grandma flowers. Once again, many of those grandma flowers are roses! Home Depot even released a statement that roses were booming in popularity. So rose friends we are on trend!
Don’t delay – order your roses now for spring delivery!
Here is a PDF of the roses for sale. Download and Enjoy!
2023 was a very good year for our rose society! We had a super strong start with two power house speakers… Tom Carruth and Gaye Hammond. If you missed the Tom Carruth or Gaye Hammond program, they were recorded and are available on our MEMBERS ONLY page. As members you will definitely want jump over there and watch. The MEMBERS ONLY page is password protected but you can get the password here…. Email link.
In March we moved back to Sullivan Munce for in-person meetings and Teresa Byington gave a program on English Cottage Gardens. March was a great time to “visit” England and begin to make plans for our own gardens. Through Teresa’s program we “visited” some estate gardens in England, had a mini tour of Teresa’s garden, talked about garden planning and plants Teresa found to be suitable for Cottage Style gardens in our area.
WORKSHOPS
Throughout the year we had workshops: tool sharpening, propagation via rose budding and there was fertilizer making day!
GARDEN TOURS
We were inspired by visiting gardens in our area and a member’s garden: Tree Frog Garden, Avon Gardens, and Rita Spalding’s home (where art and roses meet).
We kicked off fall with a visit from Ron Daniels, Nashville (TN) Rose Society President. It was an over the top meeting leaving us all inspired! Ron actually brought roses from his amazing garden in Nashville to give out to our members!
We finished our year with a fantastic meeting on attracting birds, bees and other beauties to our garden from two experts in the field – Karen Smith and Jennifer Davies.
A TIME TO CELEBRATE
Last week we had our board installation and awards banquet.
John Hefner conducted the board installation. He encouraged each board member based on their particular job description and also called on all members to participate and serve when there’s a need. We are so proud of those who lead us! And, invite all of our members to be a part of this thriving group.
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/Blog/Social Media: Teresa Byington
President, Trudy Struck, gave out special mentions to several who served well in 2023…
⭐️John Hefner who hosted an excellent meeting and budding workshop at his home. ⭐️Kim Chmielewski for her excellent work handling all aspects of our extremely popular rose sale. ⭐️Teresa Byington for her work on the website/ blog and programs. ⭐️Linda Kimmel for her work on our very newsy newsletter. ⭐️Eloisa Garza for her work on our 2023 programs and extra effort in storing roses during our sale.
THE BIG WINNER OF THE NIGHT: Norma Bledsoe, Bronze Medal
The American Rose Society’s Bronze Medal is given to a local rose society member for outstanding service to the society. Norma has served in many society capacities through the years. Her primary focus for the last several years has been to serve as our Membership Chairman. From the moment you are interested in the society through the membership process, Norma has it covered!
Thank you Norma for a JOB VERY WELL DONE.
ON THE JOB
The board has assumed their positions and is already tackling 2024 with plans and projects.
WHAT DO YOU THINK?
Could you take just a minute and let us know if there are things you are particularly interested in that we could work into our planning OR maybe you have a program you’d like to give to our group, OR maybe you’d be willing to open your garden for an exclusive Rose Society tour. That would be fabulous! Remember size and style do not matter. We have members with huge gardens, tiny gardens, container gardens, formal gardens, collectors gardens, cottage gardens and all are so fun to see! Email the Rose Society here with your thoughts and ideas. (link).
HEY SANTA!
Recently we did a survey on FAVORITE GARDEN TOOLS. Here are some of the tools our garden community says they can’t live without. I’ve included links so you can take a look and get additional details.
🎅 First up were Felco Pruners. Rose growers love them! (link) 🎅There was also a lot of buzz about the new battery powered pruners. This brand came highly recommended. (link) 🎅Another recommendation was for a Hori Hori knife — used for weeding, dividing plants, planting blubs and much more. (link) 🎅What about general garden gloves? These came highly recommended. (link) 🎅The Cobra Head weeder was a favorite! (link)
DEALING WITH MIDGE
Midge is a very unpopular addition to any rose garden. If Midge has come to your garden, help is on the way. In the article below John Hefner tells you his midge story and offers tips that will send Ms Midge packing. Read here…
Our rose sale will begin soon. Remember members get first choice and a nice discount! This year’s list is shaping up to be fantastic! New or current members… membership fee is due now!
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.
Photos by Staish Prabhu
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.
Mango BlushStrawberry Kisses
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!
JENNIFER DAVIES & KAREN SMITH: Attracting Birds and Butterflies to Your Garden NOTE: Jennifer and Karen will bring seeds and seed pods to share! And Eloisa will have bottles of her honey to share!
SEPTEMBER MEETING
Our guest speaker was President of the Nashville Rose society, Ron Daniels. Ron spoke to a large group sharing his tips for growing roses. We were excited for all his tips as he has a fabulous rose garden. Ron brought many giveaways including rose bouquets from his garden – they were given to those who were first time attendees. Ron also brought copies of his book ROSE THERAPY that members could purchase. If you didn’t get one, find it on Amazon here… LINK. Big thanks to Ron for coming all the way to join us! Everyone raved about the meeting!
WED, SEPTEMBER 20 / 6:30 PM Sullivan Munce Cultural Center / 225 West Hawthorne Street / Zionsville, IN
🌹Our meetings are open to the public so please invites friends to come with you!
GROWING AND CARING FOR ALL TYPES OF ROSES
Ron Daniels, Master Rosarian, Author, Master Gardener and Co-President of the Nashville Rose Society
Ron Daniels is coming to share his expertise with us. Ron has a beautiful garden that has been featured in several TV shows. Our fellow member, John Hefner visited Ron’s garden a few years ago and said it was one of the most beautiful gardens he has ever been to.
🌹You can watch one of the videos of Ron’s garden HERE.
Ron, a very popular speaker, is also a very busy master gardener taking on many major rose projects in and around the Nashville area from designing historical rose garden to re-designing the rose garden at Belmont College.
Ron has recently released a book called Rose Therapy where he reveals the “bigger picture” behind growing and caring for roses: their power to bring different people together, and communicate profound emotional depth without saying a word. Ron walks the reader through step-by-step instructions any beginner can follow, with down-to-earth stories and a brief journey into the history of roses. Throughout the book, Ron brings an encouraging, enthusiastic voice to all rosarians – from absolute beginners to fellow masters.
We will learn from his vast knowledge base on growing roses as well as the value of mentors and mentoring. You will also have the opportunity to purchase Ron’s recently released book, Rose Therapy.
We look forward to seeing you there! 🌹If you aren’t a member of our rose society yet, youcan read about membership here.
Join us for a garden day together! We will start out in the amazing AVON GARDENS AND GARDEN CENTER. Then we will congregate at MAYBERRY CAFE for a yummy meal together, and close out the day at John Chapin’s beautiful TREE FROG GARDENS. We looking forward to seeing you there! Have questions? Contact us here.
3:00 pm / Avon Gardensfor their Spring-Palooza Peony Festival! 6259 E. County Rd. 91 N. / Avon, Indiana 46123
4:30 pm / Mayberry Cafe / Danville 78 W Main St, Danville, IN 46122
6:15 pm / Tree Frog Garden Tour 3160 South 125 West / Danville Indiana 46122
(RSVP Required for Tree Frog Garden Tour) Please RSVP here by May 15 … LINK)
ABOUT TREE FROG GARDENS:
John Chapin owner of Tree Frog Gardens welcomes Indianapolis Rose Society (members only) to his beautiful home garden and two-acre nursery. Don’t miss this great opportunity!
John’s nursery specializes in hard to find perennials, shrubs, conifers and flowering trees. Most shrubs are new to the market, rare and or unusual varieties. This season there are over 40 new perennials.
Available for ordering or same day purchase to take home with you:
$10 / $15 shrubs (Most plants are one gallon.)
FROM JOHN ABOUT HIS GARDEN AND NURSERY…
Tree Frog Gardens Plant Pricing: If any gardener has checked out plants at garden centers or big box stores this spring, you’ve probably been shocked at the prices! With all the issues of supply chains, shipping costs, labor shortages, fuel expenses, and of course the resultant inflation, it’s disheartening to see how much prices have increased. (I personally believe that some businesses are taking advantage of expected increases as well as high consumer demand to really sock it to gardeners.)
With very few exceptions, I’m keeping my prices the same as last year. This means that almost all perennials are priced at $10@ and shrubs at $15@. I can do this, for now, because:
1. I grow most of my plants by ordering direct from the wholesale growers, just like the landscaping nurseries and most garden centers do. This eliminates the middle-man and their markup. These young plants will take a year of growth to become more substantial, but I charge a fraction of what they will be worth after one season’s growth. (Example: One of my $15 blooming shrub varieties will grow in one year to a size that would cost three, even four times this amount if bought at a garden center.)
2. I propagate many of my plants from established “mother plants” or plantings that I grow in my gardens. This is a good value since they are divisions of mature plants, not young starts.
3. Some of my offerings are plants I save from renovated or updated landscaping jobs I do that would otherwise be trashed. They are perfectly fine, healthy plants, worth much more than what I have priced them, at great savings to you!
4. I don’t have the overhead and payroll that garden centers and nurseries have to pay since I grow on my rural property and sell at three seasonal sales each year.
5. I accept cash, checks, or bank transfers such as Zelle to avoid the charge card fee of almost 3% per transaction. (This adds up!)
My mission is to get great plants into the hands of gardeners, both novice and experienced. I am constantly checking out new plant introductions that often are unusual and/or hard-to-find for a few years, but are worthy additions to my and others’ gardens.
The Indianapolis Rose Society 2023 annual rose sale is on! As in the past, the roses will be available on a FIRST COME / FIRST SERVE basis. We all know how difficult it was to find roses last year, so don’t delay! ROSES ON THIS LIST ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE AS WE SELL THE ROSES!
On March 14 at 6:30 pm EST we will have our first IN PERSON meeting of the year.
Yes, we’ll be back at the lovely Sullivan Munce Cultural Center complete with appetizers, door prizes and updates on the coming year! There will be time for you to get your questions answered during our ever popular “round table” discussions.
BE ON THE LOOKOUT for an email from VP Teresa Downham with a sign-up sheet for helping with the meeting. (Bringing food, drinks, door prizes, etc.) Thank you in advance! 🌹
LOCATION…
Sullivan Munce 225 West Hawthorne Street Zionsville, IN 46077
A look at English Cottage Gardens from their humble beginnings to today. Teresa’s program will include tips and tricks for adding cottage garden elements to your garden and a mini tour of her cottage garden.
NOTE: Members will be invited to an open garden at the Byington’s on Saturday, June 10.
RSVP TO MARCH MEETING
RSVP is not required but oh so helpful in planning. Please fill out the form below to let us know you are coming and who you might bring with you. (Our meetings are open to the public.)
The Indianapolis Rose Society 2023 annual rose sale is on! As in the past, the roses will be available on a FIRST COME / FIRST SERVE basis. We all know how difficult it was to find roses last year, so don’t delay!
Are you ready to spring into spring? Few people can get us more excited or more ready to do just that than our speaker Gaye Hammond. If you have had the pleasure of hearing her before, you know just what we mean. So mark your calendar and join us! Guests are certainly welcome, just remember our time zone is EST so adjust your calendar accordingly! We don’t want you to miss a minute.
Gaye Hammond, Former President of the Houston Rose Society and life member and patron of the American Rose Society. Gaye is an entertaining speaker and an avid writer of more than 300 articles that have been published in local, state, national and international magazines and newspapers.
Without question, pruning roses (or any other plant for that matter) is the most intimidating task that a gardener undertakes.
“Should I cut this off or leave it?”, “What if I make a mistake?”, “Can I just leave it and let nature take its course?” These are all self-doubts that we encounter in our gardening life when it comes to cutting off parts of plants that we worked so hard to grow. Compounding one’s own doubts, is the misinformation that a gardener finds on the internet.
This program helps the gardener work through the myths of pruning; provides an easy step-by-step approach to pruning any type of rose; helps identify early signs of pests/disease that can be taken care of during the pruning process so that the effects of these maladies can be avoided once the roses break dormancy; as well as share how she boosts spring garden performance with a few steps that are easy to implement once bushes have been pruned.
🌹COMING UP NEXT
For details on our March in-person program and information on our rose sale, read on here.
🌹IDEAS?
If you have ideas for upcoming programs or would like to invite our members to a tour of your garden, please let us know…
Are you ready to spring into spring? Few people can get us more excited or more ready to do just that than our speaker Gaye Hammond. If you have had the pleasure of hearing her before, you know just what we mean. So mark your calendar and join us! Guests are certainly welcome, just remember our time zone is EST so adjust your calendar accordingly! We don’t want you to miss a minute.
Tues, February 14 at 6:30 pm EST (ZOOM)
SPRING INTO SPRING… Getting Roses Started on the Right Foot
Gaye Hammond, Former President of the Houston Rose Society and life member and patron of the American Rose Society. Gaye is an entertaining speaker and an avid writer of more than 300 articles that have been published in local, state, national and international magazines and newspapers.
On March 14 at 6:30 pm EST we will have our first IN PERSON meeting of the year. Yes, we’ll be back at the lovely Sullivan Munce Cultural Center complete with appetizers, door prizes and updates on the coming year! There will be time for you to get your questions answered during our ever popular “round table” discussions.
Sullivan Munce 225 West Hawthorne Street Zionsville, IN 46077
SPEAKER: Teresa Byington, IRS member, blogger (TheGardenDiary.com) and co host of the Rose Chat Podcast
PROGRAM: ENGLISH COTTAGE GARDENS
A look at English Cottage Gardens from their humble beginnings to today. Teresa’s program will include tips and tricks for adding cottage garden elements to your garden and a mini tour of her cottage garden.
RSVP TO MARCH MEETING
RSVP is not required but oh so helpful in planning. Please fill out the form below to let us know you are coming and who you might bring with you. (Our meetings are open to the public.)
The Indianapolis Rose Society 2023 annual rose sale is on! As in the past, the roses will be available on a FIRST COME / FIRST SERVE basis. We all know how difficult it was to find roses last year, so don’t delay!
IRS MEMBERS: David Austin: $38 All Other Roses: $30
NON MEMBERS: David Austin: $43 All Other Roses: $35
🌹 PAYMENT: Roses must be pre-paid. Contact us to make payment arrangements HERE.
🌹 PICKUP: Pickup will be sometime in April. Exact day/time/location to be determined at a later date.
HAVE SOME READING TIME?
While we wait on spring, if you have some reading time here are articles from IRS expert rosarian John Hefner that you might be interested in reading or re-reading as we start the new growing season.
We hope you had a wonderful holiday season. The new year is here and we are excited to start planning our rose gardens.
PLEASE JOIN US FOR 2 UPCOMING ZOOM MEETINGS!
Tues, Jan 10 at 6:30 pm EST (ZOOM)
MY 59 YEARS WITH ROSES
Tom Carruth, Curator of the Huntington Rose Garden and award winning hybridizer. Tom has over 150 introductions to his credit with numerous national & international awards. Roses like Marilyn Monroe, Julia Child, Perfume Factory, Moonstone, Easy on the Eyes and so many more.
SPRING INTO SPRING… Getting Roses Started on the Right Foot
Gaye Hammond, Former President of the Houston Rose Society and life member and patron of the American Rose Society. Gaye is an entertaining speaker and an avid writer of more than 300 articles that have been published in local, state, national and international magazines and newspapers.
MEMBERSHIP: JOIN OR RENEW TODAY!
Membership is open to anyone interested in roses.
Once you are a member, you will receive regular emails that include the latest rose news, info on rose care and products as well as what is happening!
On November 8 we took time to celebrate a great year together! We started 2022 together via Zoom last January and moved into in-person meetings. In June we had an outstanding Rosefest (for a report on Rosefest, read on here.). Garden tours and workshops were peppered throughout the season. So much to celebrate!
2023 AWARDS:
Our organization gives out three types of awards:
The American Rose Society Bronze Honor Medal – for Outstanding Service to one of its members for outstanding and meritorious service at the Local Society level. The recipient must be an active member of the Local Society for no less than three (3) years and a member of the ARS. The award can only be awarded once to a member. The Board nominates the candidates and is voted on by secret ballot.
The Award of Merit – is given to a member for an outstanding service to the local society. ARS membership is not required.
The Certificate of Appreciation – is given for a special act or service for the local society. It is a way to say “Thank You”.
The Bronze Medal was awarded to Kim Chmielewski for her hard work and outstanding job on the rose sale for the last 2 years. In addition, she brought in new members as a result of the rose sale, served on the board of directors as Secretary and has served at the Welcome table for several years. Kim is always willing to help.
The Award of Merit was given to Norma Bledsoe for her outstanding work as membership chair, keeping membership information current, communicating with new members, and serving at the welcome table at our in-person meetings. She also contributed to Rosefest by helping with rose and fertilizer sales and providing snacks for judges and exhibitors.
Teresa Downham was also given an Award of Merit for her Rosefest leadership. Rosefest would not have been the success it was without Teresa’s direction and hard work.
The Certificate of Appreciation was presented to the following members:
Eloisa Garza for her wonderful presentation about cooking with roses at Rosefest.
Humberto DeLuca for his excellent presentation at Rosefest concerning propagation.
John Hefner who has always been willing to lead the round table discussions at meetings, writing the rose show horticultural schedule and bringing beautiful roses to Rosefest.
Mark Nolen for recruiting rose show judges and sending roses to Rosefest despite having emergency surgery a few days before. Mark always demonstrates commitment to the rose socxiety and rose shows above and beyond.
Jim Struck for stepping up at Rosefest and being a rose show clerk and for supporting our First Lady.
Kay Mulhall for stepping up and volunteering at Rosefest as a clerk.
Carolyn Lloyd for managing the rose garden tours and visitors in addition to providing coffee, drinks, and snacks for Rosefest.
Linda Kimmel for her help all of the time especially with recruiting the rose show arrangement judges and an author for the rose show arrangement schedule in addition to taking over the newsletter when we could not enlist a new editor.
2023 BOARD INSTALLATION
Jim Shultz installed the new board…
President: Trudy Struck
1st VP: Teresa Downham
2nd VP: Eloisa Garza
Secretary: Kim Chmielewski
Treasurer: Tad Sayama Newsletter Editor: Linda Kimmel
Website/Social Media: Teresa Byington
2023 PROGRAMS:
Tues, Jan 10 at 6:30 pm EST (ZOOM)
MY 59 YEARS WITH ROSES
Tom Carruth, Curator of the Huntington Rose Garden and award winning hybridizer. Tom has over 150 introductions to his credit with numerous national & international awards. Roses like Marilyn Monroe, Julia Child, Perfume Factory, Moonstone, Easy on the Eyes and so many more.
Tues, February 14 at 6:30 pm EST (ZOOM)
SPRING INTO SPRING… Getting Roses Started on the Right Foot
Gaye Hammond, Former President of the Houston Rose Society and life member and patron of the American Rose Society. Gaye is an entertaining speaker and an avid writer of more than 300 articles that have been published in local, state, national and international magazines and newspapers.
ZOOM INFORMATION: Link will be posted in late December.
MORE TO COME:
Our board is meeting next week to finalize additional programming for 2023. If you have ideas for programs/workshops or would like to volunteer to have a tour in your garden, contact us at indplsrosesoc@gmail.com.
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.
For $20 per year, members receive advanced knowledge of in-person and zoom programs, access to members-only recordings of zoom programs, discounts on roses via our annual rose sale, automatic inclusion in district educational events, 4 months free trial membership in the American Rose Society, invitations to member garden tours and demonstrations, plus access to a wealth of information from current members!
Happy Fall everyone! 🍂 While it’s hard to see the growing season come to an end, we can all agree that cooler temps will be very welcome! And, we can start dreaming of next year’s garden. Soon Kim (Chmielewski) will have a list of roses for our annual rose sale!
We have a lot of fun things coming up for the rest of 2022. We also have a strong start to 2023 planned with two ZOOM meetings (January and February) so weather will not be an issue.
Tues, Oct 11, 6:30 pm
Sullivan Munce Cultural Center / 225 W Hawthorne St / Zionsville, IN
PROGRAMS:
Bugs that Benefit Your Rose Garden: John Chapman NOTE: John will have plants to sell from his garden shop – TREE FROG GARDEN (link).
Plants that Attract Pollinators: Eloisa Garza
Tues, Nov 8, 6:30 pm
Sullivan Munce Cultural Center / 225 W Hawthorne St / Zionsville, IN
Holiday Party, installations of 2023 board, book swap and awards!
NOTE: Book Swap: Bring rose books you would like to go to a new home! You do not have to bring books in order to take something home.
Tom Carruth, Curator of the Huntington Rose Garden and award winning hybridizer. Tom has over 150 introductions to his credit with numerous national & international awards. Roses like Marilyn Monroe, Julia Child, Perfume Factory, Moonstone, Easy on the Eyes and so many more.
Tues, February 14 at 6:30 pm EST (ZOOM)
SPRING INTO SPRING… Getting Roses Started on the Right Foot
Gaye Hammond, Former President of the Houston Rose Society and life member and patron of the American Rose Society. Gaye is an entertaining speaker and an avid writer of more than 300 articles that have been published in local, state, national and international magazines and newspapers.
NEW MEMBERS AND GUESTS:
If you are new to our society, we meet at 6:30 for snacks and catching up. Our meeting will start close to 7 pm.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Our meetings are open to the public so come check us out and invite others.
2022 IRS BOARD
President: Trudy Struck
1st VP: Teresa Downham
2nd VP: Teresa Byington
Treasurer: Humberto DeLuca
Secretary: Kim Chmielewski
Editor: TBD
Social Media/Website: Teresa Byington
Immediate Past President: Eloisa Garza
Mark your calendars! We look forward to seeing you!
We’ve had a break since our very fun and very successful Rosefest and now it’s time to get back together, renew our friendships, and chat about our roses!
NEXT MEETING
Tues, Sept 13 at 6:30 pm Sullivan Munce Cultural Center (link) 225 W Hawthorne St Zionsville, IN
PROGRAM 1: Do Roses Grow in Alaska?
Three of our members took trips to Alaska this year and they will give us an update on roses and other flora in Alaska.
Our travelers were Teresa Downham, Carolyn Lloyd, and Norma Bledsoe – all on separate trips!
PROGRAM #2
John Hefner will talk about the difference in bare root roses vs potted roses and the difference in own root roses vs grafted roses.
ROUND TABLE DISCUSSION
How are your roses growing this year? Successes? Issues?
We’d love to hear all about it. We will have a panel of experts to answer any questions you have and a room full of rose lovers to celebrate your successes!
NEW MEMBERS AND GUESTS
If you are new to our society, we meet at 6:30 pm for snacks and catching up. Our meeting will get started at 7 pm.
OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
Our meetings are open to the public so come check us out and invite others.
The rain held off and from start to finish Rosefest was a big success. More than 150 visitors came and there was much to see and do.
AS PROMISED IT WAS A DAY OF ROSES!
The rose garden and rose show gave our guests an opportunity to see some amazing roses.
Free Roses! Everyone was so appreciative of the roses that Proven Winners donated. These roses were given out to the first 48 guest to arrive. A great way to start a rosy day.
Roses for sale and as door prizes!
Swirly Pop
ROSY EDUCATION
Our speakers, Diane Sommers and Dr. Raymond Cloyd had so much to teach us.
Diane spoke about the classifications of roses, and how those decisions are made and what we might expect in the future. She also invited everyone to visit American’s Rose Garden in Shreveport, LA.
Dr. Cloyd gave us the latest information on one of our worst rose pests – Japanese Beetles. While we wish they would not come, we are now better prepared for their arrival.
The demonstrations were very popular! Eloisa Garza had so many yummy and beautiful rosy treats to tell us about and share! Humberto DeLuca has been very successful at starting roses from cuttings and shared his tips and tricks!
ROSE SHOW AWARDS
Horticulture
HYBRID TEAS / GRANDIFLORAS
Queen/Moonstone/John and Donna Hefner
King/Marlon’s Day/John and Donna Hefner
Princess/Moonstone/John and Donna Hefner
FLORIBUNDA SPRAY
Queen/St. John/John and Donna Hefner
King/ Nichole/Dan Keil
Princess/Dancing Pink/John and Donna Hefner
MODERN SHRUBS
Queen/Falstaff/Dan Keil
King/Quietness/Trudy Struck
Princess/teasing Georgia/Teresa Downham
OLD GARDEN ROSES
Dowager Queen/Gloire des Rosomanes/Linda Kimmel
MINIATURES
Queen/Swirly Pop/John and Donna Hefner
King/Joy/John and Donna Hefner
Princess/Memphis King/John and Donna Hefner
MINIFLORAS
Queen/Lady E’owyn/John and Donna Hefner
King/First Choice/John and Donna Hefner
Princess/Strawberry Kisses/John and Donna Hefner
ARRANGEMENTS
CLASS 1 / Traditional / Our Birthright / Rose: Rise Up Amberness Teresa Byington / Royalty Silver Certificate
CLASS 3 / Roses & Dried Material / Memorial Day / Roses: Mr. Caleb and Sweet Spirit Linda Kimmel / Duchess Bronze Certificate
CLASS 4 / Rose & Rose Plant Material / Roses: Rise Up Ringo & Honey Nectar Linda Kimmel / Princess
CLASS 7 / East Asian with Tall Container / Rose: South Africa Linda Kimmel / East Asian Gold Certificate
CLASS 10 / Novice / Life Lessons / Rose: James Galway Trudy Struck / Best Novice
CLASS 14 / Mini East Asian / Low Container / The Wuhan Market / Rose Swizzle & Bees Knees Linda Kimmel / East Asian Gold Certificate
Randy Scott (framed rose)Swirly Pop
Queen of Show…
Moonstone / John and Donna Hefner
Congratulations everyone! Great work!
THANK YOU!
Thanks to all our volunteers. We could not have done it without you. And thank you to all who attended! It was great to have you!
WHAT’S NEXT?
After a short break we will be planning our next meetings. All members will receive newsletters and eblasts to update you on when and where the next meetings/events will be. If you are not a member, check our website for updates or become a member! Go to this link to find out how and join today! LINK HERE.
Memorial Day is just around the corner and that means it’s Time to Bloom — Rosefest is coming soon!
Saturday, June 11, 9 am – 3 pm
HAMILTON CO 4H FAIRGROUNDS (Link) 2003 E PLEASANT STREET NOBLESVILLE, IN
FREE ROSES
Our Welcome Team will be ready to open the doors at 9 am and get you checked in – so that you are eligible for one of the 40 beautiful Proven Winners roses to be given as gifts to the first 40 guests. For additional information about the rose show, speakers, demonstrations, etc. Read on here for the details… https://indianapolisrosesociety.com/rosefest-2022/
NOTE: John Hefner, leader in the Indianapolis Rose Society, is one of the foremost authorities on growing and showing roses. Advice from him is advice that you can take to the garden and to the Rose Show table. Thank you John for sharing your considerable knowledge with us. He and his wife, Donna, are two of the most decorated rosarians in the American Rose Society. Their mix of rose growing knowledge and creativity is hard to beat! (EDITOR’S NOTE: For more information on the current fertilizer sale, read on HERE. We are also having a rose arangement workshop on May 3. Contact Linda Kimmel if you have questions about that. EMAIL LINK )
Roses need fertilizer for sustained growth and vigor.
When discussing fertilization, there are numerous programs depending on the desired results. It may be as simple as buying and using a fertilizer labeled “Rose Food” and follow directions on the package. It also can be a complicated program using many different types of various products involving chemical, organic, granular and water soluble formulations. – John Hefner
For any fertilization program to be effective, the rosarian must know…
Garden’s soil type
pH
Quality of drainage
And, the amount of humus in the rose beds
BASIC INFO…
Fertilizer will not be effective if the pH is not correct. Roses need a pH of 5.8 – 6.5.
I would recommend a pH check during the growing season for desired results. The more chemical fertilizer that is used, the more the pH may vary. Note: pH meters are available at many garden centers locally and online.John Hefner
Basic forms of fertilizer…
Granular, which needs to be scratched into the soil.
Powered which is designed to be dissolved in water for liquid feeding.
Timed release is a pelletized form designed to release over time. This type is especially effective for use in container growing.
Organic products are nutrients that occur by nature.
PLANT NEEDS…
Nitrogen is the most needed element.
Nitrogen stimulates growth and dark green healthy foliage.
Some forms of nitrogen are fast acting, others are slower.
The first number on a fertilizer label is the nitrogen content.
Phosphorus and Potassium – The second and third numbers in a fertilizer label.
Both are needed to stimulate growth but since phosphorus moves very slowly through the soil it is recommended that when planting, it can be added to the planting hole. Super phosphate and bone meal are good sources of phosphorus.
Micronutrients needed for optimum growth are iron and magnesium.
Iron can be added by applications of an iron supplement that is sold in numerous garden shops.
Magnesium is recommended by the addition of Epson salts, which intensifies flower color and increased basal canes. Some fertilizers also have additional micro-nutrients in their formulations.
FEEDING TIPS…
Feed often but don’t over fertilize. The general rules are little and often and error on the side of less is more. Fertilizers will not be effective and may burn roots if not watered in thoroughly. Always water before and after applying fertilizer.
Pick a Fertilization Plan – Since rose feeding is a personal thing you may want to choose from some of the following options.
Lazy and Cheap – Buy a timed release formulation and apply early in the spring at pruning time and again in the middle of summer and water well. This may provide for enough nutrients for the entire season, however, you may not have superior plants and blooms. Old Garden Roses and one time bloomers can benefit from this program.
Conventional Program – Apply a high nitrogen fertilizer at pruning time, urea 46% nitrogen or many lawn fertilizers will be effective. If using lawn fertilizers, make sure they do not contain weed killers in the formulation. Always water well after application as the high nitrogen content will burn roots. After growth is established to about 12 inches, apply a water soluble formulation 20-20-20 or similar rose formulas. Examples are Peters, Schultz, and Mills Easy Feed etc. Use one tablespoon per gallon and apply one-two gallons per plant for large roses and one-half the amount for miniatures and mini floras. One advantage of using water soluble fertilizers is that many contain trace elements essential for vigorous growth. At this time, the use of Epsom salts is desirable as it can be dissolved in water at the same rate of soluble fertilizer. Epson salts may also be used as a dry application and watered in well. One-half cup per plant spread around the base of the plant is desired.
After the soil has warmed, usually early to mid-May, an organic fertilizer can be applied. Organic fertilizers are ones that that occur naturally such as alfalfa, fish meal, blood meal, cottonseed meal, composted manure and others. Our rose society makes and sells a very effective organic fertilizer. Suggested rate is two cups per plant for large roses and one cup for smaller plants.
After the first bloom cycle, usually June 1-15, the plant will need an additional feeding. You may choose to apply a 12-12-12 formulation at one-half cup per plant or apply a faster acting water soluble application. If using water soluble fertilizers, the suggestion is to use at two week intervals.
Since roses tend to take some rest during the heat of the summer late –June to July – water becomes more important than fertilizer.
In late July, you may want to add an additional application of organic fertilizer. Also at this time you may continue with an addition of granular fertilizer (rose formulations or 12-12-12) or two week intervals of water soluble. Fertilization should stop by early September so that plants will not be rapidly growing going into winter.
Hefner Garden Roses
GENERAL COMMENTS….
Chemical fertilizer will burn if not watered before and after use.
Most important times to feed roses – at pruning and after the first bloom cycle.
Most plants will do well with one application of fertilizer per bloom cycle (30-45 days).
Do not over fertilize miniatures.
A combination of chemical and organic programs is desirable.
Organic fertilizers are slower acting but contribute organic matter and micro-organisms.
Plants will tell you if they are thriving. They will also tell you when they are struggling. Make observations.
Fertilization programs vary from rosarian to rosarian and will also vary from year to year. Find what is successful for you to achieve the desired results.
When in doubt, contact a Consulting Rosarian from your local rose society. See the consulting rosarian contact listHERE.
NEW ROSES AND COMPANION PLANTS FOR ROSES Natalie Carmoli
Location: Sullivan Munce 225 West Hawthorne Street Zionsville, IN
Live and in-person we welcome Natalie Carmoli, public relations specialist for Proven Winners ColorChoiceshrubs, to find out what it takes for a rose to become a Proven Winners ColorChoice selection. Natalie will discuss what makes a good partner plant, and she’ll share some of her favorite shrubs and perennials to pair with roses. Finally, you’ll get a sneak peek into what’s coming next in new Proven Winners rose cultivars.
REMINDER… THE DAVID AUSTIN PROGRAM HAS BEEN RESCHEDULED… ZOOM MEETING APRIL 26!
DAVID AUSTIN ROSES: Rebecca Koratyem
ZOOM MEETING, TUES, APRIL 26, 6:30 pm
ABOUT THE MEETING
ZOOM ATTENDANCE LIMITED TO FIRST 100. (Note: Last meeting had 80 attending via Zoom.)
Roses will be delivered mid April. We will have only 2 days advanced notice for the delivery. So be on the lookout for a notification to pick up! There are a few roses still for sale, for all the details, read on HERE.
ORGANIC FERTILIZER SALE
We are busy making the very popular Indianapolis Rose Society Organic Fertilizer!
TIME TO PLACE ORDERS NOW! (Available around April 26) Contact: Humberto DeLuca @ rhdeluca@gmail.com to place your order.
COST: Pay by cash, check or Venmo to @humberto-deluca
$25 / 20 lb bag $15 / 10 lb bag
For details on how to use and reviews … read on HERE.
RE-SCHEDULED! DAVID AUSTIN ROSES: REBECCA KORAYTEM
TUES, APR 26, 6:30 pm (EST) / ZOOM
DAVID AUSTIN ROSES: Rebecca Koraytem (for more information about the program, read on HERE.
We will not be doing RSVPs for this program. ZOOM ATTENDANCE LIMITED TO FIRST 100. (Note: Last meeting had 80 attending via Zoom.)
Sullivan Munce Center / 225 West Hawthorne Street / Zionsville, IN 46077 Presenter: Bill Carlson
To help prepare us for entering the Rose Arrangement section at Rosefest in June, William (Bill) Carlson, a master rose arranger, will present a hands-on arrangement workshop. Regardless of your skill level, this workshop is for you!
Reservations are required to ascertain that we have enough roses and plant material for everyone.
We look forward to seeing you there! Don’t forget reservations are required.
If have questions or want to sign up, contact Linda HERE.
The Indianapolis Rose Society, Illinois Indiana ARS Rose District, and the Hamilton County Master Gardeners invite you to a day filled with beautiful roses…
Rose growing demonstrations
Rose garden tour
Free roses to first 40 guests
An ARS accredited rose show
Excellent speakers
LOCATION…
HAMILTON CO 4H FAIRGROUNDS 2003 E PLEASANT STREET NOBLESVILLE
For additional details on speakers, etc. Read on HERE.
The Indianapolis Rose Society annual rose sale is on and the roses will be here soon!
🌹In addition to information from the grower, peppered throughout the list of roses you will see reviews from rose society members who are growing these roses.🌹
As in the past, the roses are available on a FIRST COME / FIRST SERVE basis. Some roses from the original list are sold out, but you will see, we still have some beauties just waiting to be added to your garden – while supply lasts!
ORDERING…
To place orders or to get more information, contact us here.
ROSE PRICES…
IRS MEMBERS: David Austin: $33 All Other Roses: $28
NON MEMBERS: David Austin: $38 All Other Roses: $33
PAYMENT: Roses must be pre-paid. Contact us to make payment arrangements HERE.
PICKUP: Pickup will be mid April. You will be contacted when we have a firm date from the delivery service.
MEMBERSHIP INFORMATION
Prices on roses is just one of the benefits of annual $20 membership. If you’d like to become a member fill out the form HERE.
HERE ARE THE ROSES LISTED BY CATEGORY
DAVID AUSTIN ROSES…
David Austin English Roses are primarily crosses between modern roses for color palette and old garden roses for form and fragrance. Truly the best of both worlds.
VANESSA BELL (SOLD OUT!)
Summer long display of mid-sized semi-double flowers, one of the most free-flowering David Austin bred roses. Pale lemon to primrose, pink tinged buds, flowers fading to clear cream with age, adds soft charming luminosity to the moonlit evening garden, medium bushy upright shrub, with a green tea, lemon honey fragrance, possible hedge. Winner of David Austin’s Best for Flowering Award.
🌹FROM MEMBER TERESA BYINGTON…
This picture is Vanessa Bell growing in my garden last summer. I have grown this rose for 3 years. She is an outstanding rose. In fact, I liked it so much that I ordered another one! She is a medium sized shrub filled with blooms throughout the season and fragrance. To me the color is just the perfect yellow to go with all the other roses in my garden. Works well in a vase too. You will love this one!
Vanessa Bell
CROWN PRINCESS MARGARETA (SOLD OUT)
Bears quite large, apricot-orange flowers, in the form of neatly arranged, many petalled rosettes. They have a strong, fruity fragrance. It forms a 5 ft tall, slightly arching shrub with plentiful glossy foliage, ideal as a short climber or back of the garden, strong repeat bloom, enjoys companions, excellent resistance to disease. Zone 4 hardy, Will tolerate partial sun.
🌹FROM MEMBER PAT PIERLE
Crown Princess Margareta is my “show stopper”. She is the first to bloom every season and the neighbors anxiously await her show! She even tolerates the afternoon shade!Below is a picture of this rose from my garden…
An exceptionally beautiful rose; the distinctive blooms are very neat and rather flat. Each bloom is a lovely soft pink, with a subtle apricot hue, the smaller central petals deepening to rich apricot and surrounding a button eye, which unfurls to reveal deep-set stamens. The strong Tea fragrance becomes more Old Rose, with delicious hints of lemon and grapefruit. It forms a bushy shrub with strong, healthy, upright growth.
Emily Bronte
HARLOW CARR
Perfectly shaped fragrant, fully double, shallow flowers are pure pink, 120 petals, strong old rose fragrance, upright habit, vigorous. Bronze foliage turns green over time, excellent repeat bloomer. Bushy and sturdy bearing roses almost to ground level
David Austin Best for Fragrance Award
🌹FROM MEMBER TRUDY STRUCK:
Harlow Carr – This David Austin rose blooms constantly throughout the growing season. It is a beautiful shade of pink and very fragrant. It grows in my garden on a tall tripod type trellis. It is a favorite of my granddaughter since her name is Harlow.
🌹FROM MEMBER SALLY PARSONS
Harlow Carr – I’ve had this rose for 4 years and it does very well for me. She is wildly fragrant!
Harlow Carr
LICHFIELD ANGEL
Profuse very full double 4” blooms begin as deeply cupped creamy apricot buds, open to neatly cupped rosettes, and then to domed creamy white flowers, 100 petals, light clove musk fragrance. Repeat flowering, medium semi-glossy dark green foliage, excellent cut flowers, very few thorns. Awards of Garden Merit by Royal Horticultural Society.
Lichfield Angel
PRINCESS ANNE
Born in large fragrant clusters over a long season, blooms open as rich cherry-red fading to deep pink as they mature with a hint of yellow on the reverse side. 85 substantial but narrow heart shaped petals, medium strong tea rose fragrance, upright bushy habit, thick shiny leaves. Particularly healthy and very disease resistance. Good choice for hedge or back of border. Can tolerate partial shade
David Austin Best for Health Award and David Austin Best for Flowering Award
Princess Anne
GRANDIFLORAS…
“Grandiflora” is a term coined in 1954 to describe a new rose developed from a cross between hybrid tea and floribunda roses. Grandifloras tend to carry their flowers in clusters on top of tall stems. The flower size is a bit larger than floribunda. Grandifloras are one of the taller roses in the modern rose class, so they work well in the back of the border or as a screen. ‘Queen Elizabeth’ was the very first entry in the grandiflora class. (From Illinois Education Website.)
SOUTH AFRICA
4-5″ double flowers are copper gold, almost cantaloupe,17-25 petals, moderately fragrant, rich green, upright habit. A no-spray disease resistant rose developed by Kordes. Very hardy, heavy bloomer, softly spicy fragrance, ARS Member’s Choice Award, Gold Standard Award and others.
🌹FROM MEMBER JOHN HEFNER:
South Africa: I have grown this Grandiflora for three years and it continues to be a reliable provider of cantaloupe color blooms both as one bloom per stem and small sprays. It is reliably hardy and disease-free. I once had a visitor to our garden describe a rose as being happy. This variety will be sure to put a smile on your face.
South Africa
FLORIBUNDAS…
Floribundas are a cross between a polyantha and a tea rose. Typically, floribundas are smaller shrubs reaching only 3 – 4 feet tall and are very floriferous. They can be single or double blooms and come in a wide range of colors.
MOONLIGHT IN PARIS (SOLD OUT)
5″ flowers are warm pastel tones of peach and pink open to shades of creamy white, bloom in flushes throughout season, intense rose and fruit fragrance, deep glossy green leaves. Good cut flower, strong disease resistance.
🌹FROM MEMBER TERESA BYINGTON
I first saw ‘Moonlight in Paris’ in Past ARS President, Bob Martin’s stunning California garden. At that time it was called ‘Garden and Home.’ I knew I had to have it. I bought 2 at last years IRS rose sale. The first year I grew them in containers as shown in the picture below. Last year I planted them in the garden and they did very well. This is a stunning rose with a medium fragrance. I highly recommend it. Sometimes you see this rose listed as a floribunda and sometimes it is listed as a shrub. NOTE: It was originally named for the 50th Anniversary of a popular South African gardening magazine Garden and Home. Not sure why the name was changed but that happens more than we think.
Growing in pots in Teresa’s garden.
ARTIC BLUE (SOLD OUT!)
3-4″ Unique lilac pink double flowers fade to lavender blue with a cream reverse. Large clusters, constantly bloom, Good resistance to diseases. Good cutting flower bred by Christian Bedard. Heat and drought tolerant.
BOLERO ROMANTICA
3″ Pure white with a lovely pink center and slight blush at the open, very full with 100+ petals, Very strong traditional rose with tropical fruit fragrance. Heavy blooming compact bush, beautiful disease resistant foliage, wonderful rose for cutting!
CAMILLE PISSARRO (SOLD OUT!)
Disease resistant foliage showcasing sunny striations of color in enchanting clusters of blooms. Various combinations of yellow, red, pink, and white in 3-4 inch vivid blooms, dark glossy green foliage and a fruity fragrance.
Container friendly or mulch for winter, may be tender below zero, Zone 6-9.
Camille Pissarro
HYBRID TEA ROSES…
Hybrid Teas are one of the most recognized roses and a popular cut flower. Most have long stems with one bloom per stem. They are known for their high-centered blooms.
BEVERLY
Beautiful light pink, 4” double full blooms, 45 petals, mostly singular, dark on the inside, lighter on the outside, irresistible one of a kind citrus fruity fragrance. Blackspot & mildew resistant, A lovely rose voted best hybrid tea and most fragrant rose in the 2013 Biltmore trials, and Golden Rose at The Hauge in 2013.
🌹FROM MEMBER CAROLYN LLOYD:
Beverly for me is an outstanding hybrid tea and of course pink is my favorite color. I also gravitate to pinks. It smells wonderful and is very disease resistant aka low maintenance. I love this rose and highly recommend it!
DEE-LISH
Upright habit, 4″ non-fading deep pink, 50-55 petals, large, cup shaped, old fashioned double blooms, strong verbena and citrus fragrance. Blooms are borne singly with sturdy stems ideal for cutting, strong disease resistance. ADR Award in the German Rose Trial.
FOREVER YOURS (SOLD OUT!)
Classic hybrid tea – 4-5″ large fire engine red blooms with long vase life for superb arrangements, 20-25 petals, dark green foliage, moderate fragrance. Compact and well branched, shows well in containers or garden.
JULIE ANDREWS
Hybrid Tea – 4-5″ Flowers are intense fuchsia pink with a yellow base, compact upright bushy habit, 30 petals, dark green foliage, strong anise rose fragrance. “Named the “Most Beautiful Rose of the Century” at the International New Rose Competition in France” Excellent repeat.
🌹From Member Norma Bledsoe…
Julie Andrews… Very pretty pink with yellow undertones. Prolific bloomer and repeats quickly. Very winter hardy and strong fragrance. I love the color and with the name Julie Andrews I knew it had to be a good rose.
Julie Andrews
POPE JOHN PAUL II
Its 5-inch blooms are pure, clean white and emit a wonderful fresh citrus fragrance. It truly is one of the most fragrant roses of all time. The blossoms unfurl from elegantly pointed, ovoid buds to reveal up to 50 petals, each standing atop a sturdy 16- to 20-inch stem. Arising in flushes from late spring to late fall, they stand out boldly against the glossy, dark green, disease-resistant foliage.
Pope John Paul II
STILETTO (SOLD OUT!)
A new introduction, Traditional HT, exhibition type, non-fading deep pink color and very strong old rose fragrance, in abundant and nearly continuous waves,
Dark green glossy foliage, excellent repeat, vigorous and good cutting rose.
Stiletto
SHRUB ROSES…
Shrub roses are a class of hardy, easy-care plants that work well as individual specimens or in a mixed planting. Most are very floriferous and bloom throughout the summer with a variety of bloom shapes and varying levels of fragrance with very little care.
PEARLESCENT
Shrub Rose – Pure white double flowers, 25-30 slightly ruffled petals are tinged pink in cool weather, dark green foliage, strong citrus scent. Flowers almost continually spring to frost. Highly resistant to blackspot and powdery mildew
From Bill Radler, creator of the ever-blooming, ever-so-tough Knock Out Rose series.
Pearlescent
MUSIC BOX (SOLD OUT)
2″ Double flowers have creamy yellow centers surrounded by pink blended petals, 30-35 petals, medium glossy.
🌹FROM MEMBER JIM SCHULTZ
Music Box is my new favorite as a “grower and shower”. Very few Japanese Beetles, compared to others. Has been very healthy and most generous continual bloomer. Blooms start out yellow and fade to dusty rose pink. Nice tea fragrance. Late last fall I clipped it from 5.5’ down to 3’. I use no insecticides or fungicides or give it winter protection. I grow in amended heavy clay.
SUNRISE SUNSET
Semi double fuschia pink petals blending to orange/apricot near center. Not very tall, at about 3 feet, lovely as a foreground rose. It blooms a lot. Exceptional citrus fruity strong fragrance, nearly thornless, long lasting cut flowers, very hardy, easy to grow, minimal disease.
🌹From Member Pat Pierle:
Sunrise Sunset is a beautiful rose. Blooms every day all summer long. I have three and they are disease free! Below is a picture from my garden…
MINIATURE ROSES…
Miniature roses are true roses that have been selectively bred to stay small in size. Most miniature roses have smaller flowers than standard rose bushes, but they come in the same variety of types and colors as their larger counterparts.
LIFE’S LITTLE PLEASURES
Miniature Rose – 2-3″ Very double blooms of lavender pink, fade to lavender, holding their color to the end. Excellent bud and flower form by Christian Bedard, blooms in clusters atop a well-rounded compact shrub, 70 petals, moderate fruity fragrance.
🌹FROM MEMBER LINDA KIMMEL
Life’s Little Pleasures is listed as a miniature rose but the bush gets rather large. Classification is based on the size of bloom, not the bush. The bush size fits more nicely as a miniflora or floribunda. The buds are wine red and open with perfect hybrid tea form. As the bloom ages it lightens to mauve. The blooms are heavily petaled. Fully open, it resembles an old garden rose. When I hear that a miniature rose is fragrant, I roll my eyes in doubt. However, this rose is intensely fragrant!
Life’s Little Pleasures
CLIMBING ROSES…
Climbing roses are any of numerous rather strong-growing garden roses that produce long flexible canes by which they cling to and scramble over trellis, fences or any available support. Long known for ability to created drama and charm in a garden.
SKY’S THE LIMIT (SOLD OUT!)
Exceptionally disease resistant yellow climber from Tom Carruth. Very free flowering with heavy clusters of medium sized ruffled, sunny, buttery yellow 5″, 17-25 petal count blossoms. Pleasant fruity fragrance. Hardy and healthy floriferous climber for zones 5-9.
Sky’s the Limit
PEARLY GATES (SOLD OUT!)
4-5″ Pure perfect pastel pink, 35 petals, big gorgeous well-formed blooms from peachy pink hybrid tea form buds, clean dark green foliage, very full, continuous blooms on new and old wood all the way to the ground, sweet spicy fragrance Zones 5-10.
Pearly Gates
OVERALL REVIEW…
I’ve been buying roses from the Indpls. Rose Society for ten years now. They are always extremely healthy, great foliage, and the highest of quality. They are worth every penny you spend on them. It doesn’t matter what the variety.- Nick Stanley- Growing 300 + roses for over 25 years now.
If you are ready to place an order or need more information, contact us here.
COMING SOON:
ROSE ARRANGEMENT WORKSHOP Presenter: William Carlson
Tuesday, May 3, 2022 6:00 PM EST Sullivan Munce Center / 225 West Hawthorne Street / Zionsville, IN 46077
To help prepare us for entering the Rose Arrangement section at Rosefest in June, William (Bill) Carlson, a master rose arranger, will present a hands-on arrangement workshop. Reservations are required to ascertain that we have enough roses and plant material for everyone.
Reservations Required! We look forward to seeing you there!
Details on the workshop … DOWNLOAD HERE. If have questions, contact Linda HERE.
ORGANIC FERTILIZER SALE: Soon the rose society will be making our “famous” organic fertilizer. More info on how to purchase coming soon.
Happy Garden Planning!
“Where, you tend a rose, my lad, a thistle cannot grow.” – Frances Hodgson Burnett
David Austin Roses are loved not only for their charm, grace and beauty, but they are all fragrant and bred for disease resistance. Join us as we welcome David Austin Roses US Sales Executive Rebecca Koraytem. In this Zoom PowerPoint presentation, Rebecca will share her insight on the DAR breeding program, highlighting new varieties, touching on the 5 fragrance profiles and key attributes to look for when choosing your new David Austin Rose. She’ll be there to answer your design questions and make her suggestions.
ABOUT REBECCA KORAYTEM
A sought-after speaker and educator, Rebecca Koraytem is the U. S. Sales Executive for David Austin Roses Ltd., providing technical and retail support to customers in the United States and Canada. Prior to joining David Austin Roses, Rebecca served as garden editor for Southern Living magazine for 15 years. Rebecca holds a MS and BS in Horticulture from Clemson University.
JOIN OR RENEW TODAY!
Membership is open to anyone interested in roses.
We have members who are just starting to learn about roses as well as members who grow from one to 400 roses and are excellent at mentoring.
For $20 per year, members receive advanced knowledge of in-person and zoom programs, access to members-only recordings of zoom programs, discounts on roses via our annual rose sale, automatic inclusion in district events, 4 months free membership in the American Rose Society, invitations to member garden tours and access to a wealth of information from current members!
MASTER GARDENERS WILL RECEIVE ONE EDUCATION HOUR FOR ATTENDING.
ABOUT THE PROGRAMFROM BILL…
The talk will start with an overview of the climbers in our garden. I will show the different climbers in season, next to photos of them in winter, so you can see how they are supported. How to prune and fasten them to supports and structures will be talked about. I’ll cover the climbers I recommend and discuss some that were not as successful in our garden. Disease resistance, hardiness and how well they bloom will be covered, as well as fertilizing and dead heading during the growing season. There will be photos of the blooms and I’ll discuss which ones do well for exhibiting. I be happy to answer any questions I missed when we’re done.
ABOUT BILL AND KATHY…
Bill and his wife Kathy live in Levittown, PA, which is about 15 miles northeast of Philadelphia, on a 1/4-acre suburban lot with approximately 1,000 bushes, and 750 different varieties of all types. They started with 10 roses in 1989 and the garden has grown almost every year. Bill joined the ARS in 1996 and the Philadelphia Rose Society in 1997. Their garden is usually open several times a year for rose societies and local garden clubs.
They enjoy exhibiting in Local, District and National Rose Shows and Photography Contests and attending conventions. Bill won Best in Show in the 2012 ARS Digital Photography Contest and we have won 5 ARS National Trophies. Kathy and I are both board members of the Philadelphia Rose Society. I am also on the board of the West Jersey Rose Society. Bill is a Past President, current Vice President, and also editor of The Rose, newsletter of the Philadelphia Rose society. Currently Bill is the Penn-Jersey Photography and Trophy Chair and holds a couple ARS positions. Bill was awarded the Silver Honor Medal by the Penn-Jersey District in 2007. In 2009 the Philadelphia and Jersey Shore Rose Societies awarded Bill the Bronze Honor Medal and he was elevated to Master Rosarian. He was the guest Editor for the 2019 ARS American Rose magazine annual. Kathy and Bill received the ARS Guy Blake Hedrick Award in 2020. You can follow Bill on Facebook and see pictures of their lovely roses.
Whether you are a society member, master gardener or backyard gardener at any level, the more you know about soil, the more successful you will be. As an avid researcher, Gaye takes us on a deep dive into the importance of good soil, moves into soil testing and pH, gives us up-to-the-minute research-based information on fertilizers and ends with the importance of mulch – and it’s not just for “pretty!” Her new research will be worth your time!
ZOOM DETAILS: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89238798311?pwd=ZytGWkJLR1BGUlBSMXdIZTNNRVNSdz09 Meeting ID: 892 3879 8311 Passcode: 357199 One tap mobile +13126266799,,89238798311#,,,,*357199# US (Chicago) +16465588656,,89238798311#,,,,*357199# US (New York) Dial by your location +1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago) +1 646 558 8656 US (New York) +1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC) +1 346 248 7799 US (Houston) +1 669 900 9128 US (San Jose) +1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma) Meeting ID: 892 3879 8311 Passcode: 357199 Find your local number: https://us02web.zoom.us/u/kemqe7MWK9
Monday, November 22 the Indianapolis Rose Society annual rose sale officially begins. As in the past, the roses will be available on a FIRST COME / FIRST SERVE basis. We all know how difficult it was to find roses this year, so don’t delay!
TUES, FEB 8 / 6:30 pm (ZOOM MEETING) GROWINGCLIMBING ROSES: Bill Kozemchak
TUES, MAR 8 / 6:30 pm COMPANION PLANTS FOR ROSES: Natalie Carmoli IN-PERSON MTG / ZOOM SPEAKER Sullivan Munce Cultural Center 225 West Hawthorne St / Zionsville
Check back to the website as additional programs are being finalized. If you are a member, you will also receive email updates.
Sullivan Munce Cultural Center 225 W Hawthorne St Zionsville, IN
Those who attend this meeting will have the opportunity to be the first to buy roses from our 2022 rose sale.
Teresa Downham and Trudy Struck will give a presentation on the roses from our list so you will be more than ready to pick the ones to best fit your garden. Supplies are limited and we always run out — so this is your chance!
ROSE PRICES…
Roses sold at the meeting will be available at the same price as last year even though our supplier has increased their prices to us. Note: Last year David Austin roses were going for $55 – $60 at garden centers.
IRS MEMBERS: David Austin: $30 All Other Roses: $25
NON MEMBERS: David Austin: $35 All Other Roses: $30
Roses that are left after the meeting will go on sale on November 22 for these prices.
IRS MEMBERS: David Austin: $33 All Other Roses: $28
NON MEMBERS: David Austin: $38 All Other Roses: $33
We look forward to seeing you there. If you have questions, contact us here.
We can all agree that 2021 has not been the year we planned but we have had many opportunities to learn and grow and be together — sometimes in person and sometimes virtually. When a door is closed, a window opens. And, the virtual option proved to be a wonderful window by bringing us incredible speakers from around the world…
JANUARY: Gaye Hammond (Past President of the Houston Rose Society) from Houston, Texas regaled us with beautiful garden designs.
FEBRUARY: Carrie Bergs (Past President of the Greater Milwaukee Rose Society) from Wisconsin joined us virtually to share her love for growing old garden roses she calls her “Pink Ladies.” We all had new roses on our list after that!
MARCH: Marilyn Wellan (Past President of the American Rose Society) from Louisiana, shared with us the progress of the Great Garden Restoration going on at the American Rose Center in Shreveport, LA.
APRIL: Diane Sommers, (soon to be president of the American Rose Society) from Wisconsin, joined us to share how to preserve fresh roses. Drywrapping is one technique that you can use to store your rose without water, rehydrating at a future date.
The Zoom recordings for Gaye’s and Carrie’s programs can be found HERE.
WHAT’S NEXT…
We have much more to come! Mark your calendars.
SAT, SEPT 18 / 2-4 PM
Host: John and Donna Hefner Garden Tour: An opportunity to tour their amazing garden Program: Tips on Exhibiting Roses Presenters: John Hefner and Mark Nolen
CANCELLED!SAT, OCT 9 / 1-4 PM
Host: Eloisa Garza
Tour the garden/farm and visit the bee hives
Program: Caring for honey bees and the importance of pollinators in the garden
Light snacks
For additional details and directions, contact Eloisa HERE.
TUES, OCT 12 / 6:30 PM
Sullivan Munce Cultural Center 225 Hawthorn Street, Zionsville
POP BOTTLE ROSE SHOW — Put Mark & John’s tips on exhibiting roses to use! Bring your blooms in any type of container you wish. No Rose blooms? Bring your favorite fall blooming flower.
TUES, NOV 9 / 6:30 pm
Sullivan Munce Cultural Center 225 Hawthorn Street, Zionsville
TBD Save the date!
TUES, DEC 7 / 6:30 PM
Sullivan Munce Cultural Center 225 Hawthorn Street, Zionsville
Holiday party at Sullivan Munce Center.
Potluck.
Installation of Officers
Details of party to be determined
If you have questions about these events, please contact us HERE.
Our next meeting is coming soon. Diane Sommers, Vice President of the American Rose Society will be with us! We will also have a time of Q and A – so bring your questions.
TUES, APRIL 13, 6:30 PM / ZOOM MEETING
PROGRAM: DRY WRAPPING ROSES.
Have you ever admired a rose in your garden and wished that it could have waited a few days or weeks to bloom? Drywrapping is one technique that you can use to store your rose without water, rehydrating at a future date. This technique is simple to do with many different varieties. The arrangement pictured here won the 2016 ARS National Arrangement Trophy with the rose “Joy”, where many of the blooms were cut two to three weeks earlier. In this program we will discuss the steps to successful Drywrapping.
SPEAKER: DIANE SOMMERS
Diane currently serves as the Vice President of the American Rose Society. Diane will be installed as President at the Cream City Roses Convention in Wisconsin in September and you are invited to attend. Details here.
About Diane’s garden…
Diane’s garden is a collage of color and rose varieties, currently holding about 150 varieties. She likes to have a lot of color and bloom all summer long, so she has been adding more floribundas and shrub roses lately, while still maintaining a good selection of hybrid teas for exhibiting. Six years ago, she moved into a new home and the rose garden had to start over. Starting over is a lot more work than she ever imagined and there are many days she wishes she had the soil and roses from years ago! She is fortunate to have a lot of room and plans on adding 20 – 30 roses each year. Other plans for the garden are learning about other plants to enhance the gardens, and controlling the darn deer.
ROSE SALE UPDATE
Rose are coming in early May. Details on pickup will be coming soon. Check the newsletter and email blasts!
One thing we need now are volunteers to help with getting the roses organized for pick up! If you can help for even a couple of hours, please contact Kim Chmielewski here.
We look forward seeing you in April. Members, you will receive the Zoom link in the newsletter via your email. Guests, you are very welcome to join. For the Zoom link, please contact Teresa via email here.
“Roses do not bloom hurriedly; for beauty, like any masterpiece, takes time to blossom.” ― Matshona Dhliwayo
The snow is melting, the birds are singing and soon we will be back to working on our own masterpieces!
Yes, spring is just around the corner making us more excited than ever to be together to talk roses on Tuesday, March 9 at 6:30 pm EST!
Our very special guest, Marilyn Wellan, serves as the Restoration Project Coordinator and will share with us the latest details on the Great Garden Restoration of America’s Rose Garden in Shreveport, Louisiana! Marilyn is a charming, gracious and knowledgeable lover of the rose and will inspire us all!
Our meetings are open to the public and always include a time of Q & A. So bring your questions as we kick off our spring season! Please contact Humberto DeLuca for Zoom sign-in link here. See you soon! (More details below.)
MEETING DETAILS…
TUES, MAR 9, 6:30 PM EST / ZOOM (Please note that the above time is EST and adjust to fit your time zone!)
SPEAKER: MARILYN WELLAN
Marilyn Wellan is a 37-year member of the American Rose Society, and served 29 of those years on its Board of Directors. She is a Past President (2003-2006), Horticulture and Arrangements Judge, Consulting Rosarian and Master Rosarian. She was awarded the ARS Gold Honor Medal in 2017, and earlier the Silver Medal and Bronze Medal. She was named a “Great Rosarian of the World” in 2009; and recognized in “Decades of Women” in 2017.
PROGRAM: GREAT GARDEN RESTORATION OF AMERICA’S ROSE GARDEN
In early 2017, a five-year Master Plan was approved by the American Rose Center Committee and the ARS Board of Directors which set the path for the Great Garden Restoration, and for success in the future. The plan outlined these major Immediate Goals: 1) consolidation of the many gardens into a “core garden” with visual impact; 2) clearing of many trees; 3) deer fencing; 4) new walkways; 5) soil testing and amending; 6) creating an exciting new design for the gardens (see above image).
By the end of the year 2018, the Immediate Goals of the Master Plan had been achieved; $570,000 was raised in cash, services, in-kind gifts and pledges. The Great Garden Restoration Project is well underway, and promises to create a garden that is a major attraction for visitors from around the world, is visitor-friendly, reduces maintenance, is respectful of the environment, is educational in nature, and that is capable of increasing earned revenue to support the gardens. Images and additional garden information here.
The Shanley Delvecchio Pavilion and reflecting pool provide a beautiful entrance to the garden.
Since Ground Hog Day, we have been experiencing a colder than average weather pattern. The cold weather pattern is due to a negative reading of the Arctic Oscillation. When the Arctic Oscillation is positive, the jet stream stays north which keeps the frigid temperatures in Canada. Our recent colder than average temperatures are due to the Arctic Oscillation moving further south. In laymen’s terms, the weather is colder than we like and we would like for our Canadian neighbors to keep the frigid air. Unfortunately, the forecast calls for below average temperatures for the remainder of February plus our first significant snow fall which could bring us up to 10 inches of snow. Remember that January was much warmer than average, so we probably should not complain about a few cold snowy days. I did read that the Midwest spring weather prediction is well above normal. This is a bit of encouraging and good news!
How does all the weather-related information affect our roses? If good cultural practices have been established, a cold weather pattern should not be a real concern. We may need to review some recommended practices that hopefully were put into place last growing season will contribute to good winter survival.
SUGGESTIONS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1. Healthy plants free of disease will winter well.
2. Established plants have an advantage over newly planted ones due to a more established root system.
3. If winter protection is not used, plan to plant the bud union below ground level, approximately two inches or more.
4. Old Garden and most Shrubs roses generally have more winter hardiness.
5. Most Hybrid Teas need some form of winter protection such as mounding the plant with mulch or leaves.
6. Many Miniatures and Mini Floras are grown on their own roots which provide some additional winter hardiness. More tender varieties need extra protection and maybe a location from prevailing winter winds.
7. Experienced growers and consulting rosarians are always available to assist in varieties recommended for our location.
Even though we may not like snow, it does however provide insulation. If we have significant snow cover and if you so desire, you can shovel snow on your plants to provide additional protection.
So, what are the present concerns and how they relate to our rose plants?
It is more desirable to have consistent low temperatures rather than fluctuating temperatures. Roses will endure a few below zero temperatures, however, my concern would be temperatures that would reach a low of 10 below zero or lower. Many experienced rose growers have stated that more plants are lost in March than January. This is due to changes in temperatures that sometimes signal the plant to start growing and then additional freezing weather arrives.
In closing, we should all be reminded that our beloved rose plants are tough, and they will endure many challenges just as the people who grow them.
Editor’s note: All look beautiful, but I can speak from experience to a few of these. I have SCENTUOUS, SAVANNAH, PETIT PINK and THE LADY GARDENER and HIGHLY recommend them. DON’T WAIT!
COMING SOON! JOIN US!
Last night Carrie Bergs was our speaker and there were 35 in attendance! It was a wonderful program on Old Garden Roses she calls her Pink Ladies. Even though we were on Zoom, I could “feel” the lists being made! “I want this one and this one and this one!” 😉📝🌹 Thank you Carrie! The program was fabulous.
Below are the programs coming up. Our meetings are open to the public so you are invited! Please contact Humberto for the program links HERE.
TUES, MAR 9, 6:30 PM / ZOOM
SPEAKER: MARILYN WELLAN Marilyn Wellan is a 37-year member of the American Rose Society, and served 29 of those years on its Board of Directors. She is a Past President (2003-2006), Horticulture and Arrangements Judge, Consulting Rosarian and Master Rosarian. She was awarded the ARS Gold Honor Medal in 2017, and earlier the Silver Medal and Bronze Medal. She was named a “Great Rosarian of the World” in 2009; and recognized in “Decades of Women” in 2017.
PROGRAM: GREAT GARDEN RESTORATION OF AMERICA’S ROSE GARDEN
In early 2017, a five-year Master Plan was approved by the American Rose Center Committee and the ARS Board of Directors which set the path for the Great Garden Restoration, and for success in the future. The plan outlined these major Immediate Goals: 1) consolidation of the many gardens into a “core garden” with visual impact; 2) clearing of many trees; 3) deer fencing; 4) new walkways; 5) soil testing and amending; 6) creating an exciting new design for the gardens (see above image).
By the end of the year 2018, the Immediate Goals of the Master Plan had been achieved; $570,000 was raised in cash, services, in-kind gifts and pledges. The Great Garden Restoration Project is well underway, and promises to create a garden that is a major attraction for visitors from around the world, is visitor-friendly, reduces maintenance, is respectful of the environment, is educational in nature, and that is capable of increasing earned revenue to support the gardens. Images and additional information here.
TUES, APRIL 13, 6:30 PM / ZOOM MEETING
SPEAKER: DIANE SOMMERS
Diane currently serves as the Vice President of the American Rose Society. Diane will be installed as President at the Cream City Roses Convention in Wisconsin in September and you are invited to attend. Details here.
About Diane’s garden…
Diane’s garden is a collage of color and rose varieties, currently holding about 150 varieties. She likes to have a lot of color and bloom all summer long, so she has been adding more floribundas and shrub roses lately, while still maintaining a good selection of hybrid teas for exhibiting. Six years ago, she moved into a new home and the rose garden had to start over. Starting over is a lot more work than she ever imagined and there are many days she wishes she had the soil and roses from years ago! She is fortunate to have a lot of room and plans on adding 20 – 30 roses each year. Other plans for the garden are learning about other plants to enhance the gardens, and controlling the darn deer.
PROGRAM: DRY WRAPPING ROSES.
Have you ever admired a rose in your garden and wished that it could have waited a few days or weeks to bloom? Drywrapping is one technique that you can use to store your rose without water, rehydrating at a future date. This technique is simple to do with many different varieties. The arrangement pictured here won the 2016 ARS National Arrangement Trophy with the rose “Joy”, where many of the blooms were cut two to three weeks earlier. In this program we will discuss the steps to successful Drywrapping.
MEMBERSHIP!
JOIN OR RENEW TODAY!
Membership is open to anyone interested in roses.
Once you are a member, you will receive regular emails that include the latest rose news, info on rose care and products as well as what is happening!
Membership is open to anyone interested in roses.
Membership: $20
Sunday July 12 John and Donna Hefner’s garden was host to a budding and a summer rose care seminar.
The Man of the Hour – John Hefner!
BIG TIP
The tip for the evening was under pruning. This information was recently shared in the the latest edition of The America Rose by President Bob Martin. This practice removes any non productive growth and removes lower foliage that is also subjected to spider mites. This practice opens the plant for additional light and air circulation.
BUDDING SEMINAR
The other subject area was a budding seminar that focused on bud grafting to multiflora root stock. Two attendees were given a budded plant for next years rose enjoyment.
THE HEFNER GARDEN
The Hefner garden was short on rose blooms as the plants were recycling, however the daylilies served as the garden focal point for the evening displaying an array of interesting colors.
COVID-19 hit us all with a bang and removing all opportunities for our getting together in the same place. Immediately we began to look at online options to keep us connected.
May 12 was our first online meeting with 20 in attendance. We used a program called GO TO MEETING.
We have decided that for our JUNE MEETING will be use ZOOM.
Members, you will receive an email giving you the link to use to log in to our meeting. If you don’t receive our emails or have additional questions, contact us HERE.
Guests, you are welcome to participate too. And, if you would like to join our society, you will find information HERE. Once you are a member, you will automatically receive this kind of information. To receive the June link, email us HERE.
JUNE MEETING DETAILS:
Tuesday, June 9 / 6:30 pm – 8 pm
PROGRAM: SHOW AND TELL
As it will be rose season, we will have a “show and tell” meeting. Vase up one or two of your pretty roses or take a picture. We will take turns introducing ourselves and talking about the rose we are “showing.”
Q & A
Bring your rose questions and comments and we will have everyone offer their help or suggestions.
HERE’S WHAT THEY SAID…
After the May meeting we asked some of the attenders what they thought of our first online meeting…
John Hefner: “I thought the online meeting was valuable and timely as we had interactions concerning the recent weather related issues.. I would encourage more participation as this would allow our members that have questions to receive information regarding problems or just to share experiences during this unprecedented time.”
Trudy Struck: “The online meeting was delightful and informative! So good to see everyone and hear what’s going on in everyone’s gardens.”
Teresa Byington: “Many said it was so much easier to do than they thought it would be and a lot of fun.”
Pre-order Payment will be due at the March meeting – Tuesday, March 10, 6:00 – 6:30 pm (at Sullivan Munce Cultural Center / 225 W. Hawthorne Street / Zionsville. Our regular meeting location.) Our meeting will start at 6:30,
PICK UP!
Tuesday, April 7, 6 – 6:30 pm. (Our regular meeting night.) Meeting will start about 6:45 pm All roses that have not been pre-ordered will be available first come / first serve.
The roses will need to be picked up at the April meeting. If you are not able to pick them up, please have someone come for you. With our limited space, we will NOT be able to hold the roses for you.
COST
Our prices are intentionally priced lower than usually found, as a service to our members and friends. In particular, David Austin roses sell for $40 and up.
Burst of Joy (grandiflora with light tea fragrance)
Bright & Shiny (A new beauty from Knock Out hybridizer Bill Radler)
Crimson Bouquet (grandiflora with sweet fragrance) ONLY 1 LEFT
Francis Meilland (Fragrant and good for exhibitors)
Frida Kahlo (This rose is currently winning all kinds of awards.) ONLY 1 LEFT
Julie Andrews (masses of bloom and powerful perfume)
Love at First Sight (good form and light fragrance)
Life’s Little Pleasures – mini (That color! Moderate tea fragrance and good disease resistance.)
Moonlight in Paris (old fashion look and light fragrance)
Moonstone ( Beautiful form, great for exhibitors) ONLY 1 LEFT
Oso Easy Peasy (Beautiful landscape rose and great for beginners)
Pinkerbelle (Hybrid tea with spicy fragrance and great disease resistance) ONLY 1 LEFT
Pretty Polly (Lavender) (New shurb rose from our great garden friend Dr. David Zlesak!)
Pretty Polly (Pink) (New shurb rose from our great garden friend Dr. David Zlesak!)
Purple Pavement (Wonderful fragrance and beautiful fall hips!)
Ring of Fire (The picture does not do this one justice! Great for exhibitors)
Scentuous (English style cupped blooms with powerful fragrance) SOLD OUT!
Shirley’s Bouquet (Fragrant hybrid tea with good disease resistance)
The McCartney Rose (Offered as a birthday gift to Sir Paul from his record company. Sweet fragrance) ONLY 1 LEFT
DAVID AUSTIN ROSES
Note: Theses go fast! Get ready to swoon!
Abraham Darby (Climbing) SOLD OUT
Bathsheba SOLD OUT
Darcey Bussell
Gentle Herminone
Gertrude Jekyll
Munstead Wood ONLY 1 LEFT
Princess Alexandra of Kent SOLD OUT!
Queen of Sweden
Strawberry Hill (Climbing)
The Poet’s Wife SOLD OUT
YOU…
If you are new to roses or new to our society. We invited you to join us for our regular meetings beginning March 10. Each year we typically have 6-7 meetings with programs at Sullivan Munce Cultural Center in Zionsville, and two meetings off site as garden tours, etc. We finish our year with a a holiday party and awards night.
Our society is filled with members who are new to roses and those who have been growing for 40+ years and they are some of the most talented in the nation. Some of our members have a couple of roses and some have 300 +. Come join us!
What a fun night. Rose friends. Great food. Fun Surprises. Awards. New Officers. And a magician!
A highlight of our year is the annual awards night and new officer installation. This year we returned to lovely and historical Serenity Restaurant in Zionsville where the food and hospitality are outstanding. Our entertainment was Craig Stone, magician. We are all still trying to figure out how he does what he does.
Joe was a good sport and became a part of the program. We were all thrilled that in the end he didn’t disappear or something. Seriously this show was excellent!
AWARDS OF MERIT
After dinner it was time to honor those who serve our society so well. Out going President, Teresa Byington, gave out 5 Awards of Merit.
Eloisa Garza: Rose Sale
Linda Kimmel: Rose Sale
Mark Nolen: “Ask the Masters” Program
John Hefner: “Ask the Masters” Program
Janet Kuebler: Door Prizes
BRONZE MEDAL OF HONOR
Teresa Downham was the recipient of the Bronze Medal – the highest local society honor. Though she was shocked – no one else was. She has truly served above and beyond!
CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL!
Our society is blessed with so many outstanding members!
NEW OFFICER INSTALLATION
John and Donna Hefer installed the incoming board with a clever (and delicious) candy bar theme. They never run out of creative ideas!
Eloisa Garza, President
Teresa Downham, 1st VP
Trudy Struck, 2nd VP
Marilyn Ferguson, Secretary
Linda Kimmel, Newsletter Editor
Humerbto DeLuca, Treasurer
Teresa Byington, Immediate Past President
The evening ended with Teresa Byington receiving a gift of appreciation – a beautiful orchid from the collection of Keith Oltean and Linda Kimmel. Look at this orchid and there are about 40 in their collection. Amazing!
HERE’S TO 2020
What an outstanding team we have leading us in 2020! They are excited and ready to go! Stay tuned for the list of 2020 programs. A full list of programs will be on the website as plans are finalized.
Our meetings are on the second Tuesday of each month March – November at Sullivan Munce Cultural Center — 225 West Hawthorne Street, Zionsville, IN. Exceptions to the schedule will be noted on the program list. If you have questions, contact us here.
Our meetings are open to the public, so come and bring a friend.
Program: Come hear about the Hamilton County Master Gardener Rose Garden and the great work being done there by the ones who oversee it today!
ASK THE MASTERS: Weather Issues and Roses
Spring gives us some strange weather! Our Consulting Rosarians will be available to discuss weather issues and answer your questions!
Our members and guests have the pleasure of having our Annual Rosefest just inside the door from this amazing rose garden. Most every type of rose is growing there from the very old to the most modern. You’ll love hearing all about this garden, it’s beginnings and how they keep it so beautiful. See you Tues, March 12. Our meetings are open to the public so bring friends.
Take a look at the garden…
ILLINOIS INDIANA DISTRICT SPRING MEETING, MAR 30
Details for the Spring District Educational Conference and Photography show are HERE.
Master Gardener education hours and Consulting Rosarian credit are available.
A new year is here and we are already thinking about spring and what roses we will plant.
The Indianapolis Rose Society is gearing up for their annual rose sale. The order is placed and we think we have some of the best of the best coming.
As in the past, the roses will be available on a FIRST COME / FIRST SERVE basis and pre-orders are encouraged.
ORDERING
Pre-order is encouraged so you get the ones you want.
Pre-order Payment will be due at the March meeting – Tuesday, March 12, 6:00 – 6:30 pm (at Sullivan Munce Cultural Center in Zionsville. Our regular meeting location.)
PICK UP!
Tuesday, April 9, 6 – 6:30 pm. (Our regular meeting night.) Meeting will start about 6:45 pm All roses that have not been pre-ordered will be available first come / first served
The roses will need to be picked up at the April meeting. If you are not able to pick them up, please have someone come for you. With our limited space, we will NOT be able to hold the roses for you.
COST
Our prices are intentionally priced lower than usually found, as a service to our members and friends. In particular, David Austin roses sell for $40 and up.
IRS MEMBERS:
David Austin: $25
All Other Roses: $20
NON MEMBERS:
David Austin: $30
All Other Roses: $25
PLACING PRE-ORDERS:
If you are ready to PRE-ORDER, contact Linda Kimmel at lovroses@comcast.net.
HERE ARE THE ROSES…
Arctic Blue Floribunda
Beverly Hybrid Tea
Celestial Night Floribunda
Climbing Honeymoon
Climbing Lady in Red
Climbing Quicksilver
Fired Up Floribunda
Frida Kahlo Floribunda
Lotty’s Love Rugosa
Miss Congeniality Grandiflora
Parade Day Grandiflora
Ring of Fire Hybrid Tea
Savannah Hybrid Tea
Shockwave Floribunda
Sparkles & Shine Floribunda
Sunny Sky Hybrid Tea
SOLD OUT! David Austin Imogen SOLD OUT!
SOLD OUT! David Austin Olivia Rose Austin SOLD OUT!
SOLD OUT! David Austin Princess Alexandra of Kent SOLD OUT!
SOLD OUT! David Austin Queen of Sweden SOLD OUT!
SOLD OUT! David Austin Wollerton Old Hall (short climber) SOLD OUT!
The Indianapolis Rose Society invites you to attend “School Days”, the Illinois-Indiana District Conference and Rose Show. A day filled with beautiful roses and interesting programs that will help you take your rose growing experience to the next level.
Our speakers are truly some of the “best in the business” from around the country. Mark your calendar now!
Bob Martin: (California), Incoming American Rose Society President
Program: Oh, the Roses You’ll Grow – a fun, comprehensive look at growing roses.
Bob’s extreme knowledge of the rose coupled with this wit and charm will make this session a fun filled learning experience. You can follow Bob and his rose adventures on Facebook here. Do follow him … he and his wife Dona have one of the most beautiful rose garden anywhere! You will enjoy the pictures and appreciate the rose advice!
SPEAKERS:
Ron Daniels: (Tennessee) Nashville Rose Society President
As President of the Nashville Rose Society –a vibrant rose society that is growing by leaps and bounds — Ron has been instrumental is starting the Cheekwood Rose Study Garden in Nashville. Ron spends his “extra” time in his own amazing garden and traveling around speaking to rose societies and master gardeners! Read about the Cheekwood study garden here. Follow Ron on Facebook here.
Ron will give two programs:
Facts on Fertilizers
Growing Roses in Containers
Dr. Andy Plasz: (Illinois) Program: Rotation of Chemicals to Reduce Disease Resistance
Andy is the retried Director and Global Head of Analytical Chemistry Research for Abbott Laboratories. Few people in the world of rose education are as decorated as Andy Plasz. He is an informative and inspiring teacher and has much to share with us. Here he is pictured with Bob Martin wearing their Klima medals. The American Rose Society’s national Marion Klima Medal is for rose education!
Corky Thacker and Jeff Sommers: (Ohio) Program: What Makes a Winning Horticulture Rose Show Entry?
Beginning exhibitors are often unsure of why their roses didn’t win their classes, or even what the awards marked on their entry tags mean. This program provides guidance, including selecting show candidates from your garden, understanding a show schedule, ARS rules, judging criteria with photos, and awards.
Jeff has been an ARS Accredited Horticulture and Arrangement Judge since 1990 and 2001, respectively, and earned the Outstanding Judge Award in 2016.
Corky earned her ARS Horticulture Judge Accreditation in 2013, is an Apprentice Arrangement Judge and an ARS award-winning photographer. Her original rose garden was featured in This Old House magazine in July 2013. Jeff is an ARS Master Rosarian and Corky is a Certified Consulting Rosarian; both are active in the Forest City and Cleveland Rose Societies.
They met at Buckeye District rose shows, married in 2015 and grow more than 350 roses at their urban home in Cleveland’s West Side.
A wonderful night at the beautiful Serenity Restaurant in Zionsville where the food and the company was amazing. It was a night for awards, stories, friends and 2018 board installation.
Outgoing President Linda Kimmel gave out several awards.
Certificates of Service went to Eloisa Garza, Humberto DeLuca, Donna and John Hefner, Mark Nolen, Carol Tumbas, Teresa Downham and Keith Oltean for their excellent service.
The ARS Award of Merit was given to incoming President, Teresa Byington.
Marilyn Ferguson was shocked to receive the ARS Bronze Medal. Although no was else in the room was one bit surprised. A much deserved award indeed!
The 2018 Board was installed by the clever words and the gift of an excellent pen from John Hefner.
This team is enthusiastic and ready to go. They are already busy making plans for next year so stay tuned.
After a long winter’s nap, we will be back at it and ready to go the 2nd Tuesday of March at 6:30 pm at Sullivan Munce in beautiful downtown Zionsville. Mark your calendars. We’ll be growing great roses, sharing rose information and growing great friendships!
A big thank you to Linda Kimmel for her leadership as President the past two years.
Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp joined us and gave a program on Garden Party Planning. Our evening ended with garden Q and A with Jo Ellen. And, no matter the subject, we couldn’t stump her! She is a fount of garden knowledge. We were so glad to have her with us.
PROGRAM: PARTY IN THE GARDEN by Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp
PARTY IN THE GARDEN Whether it’s a wedding, birthday party, graduation celebration or other special event in the garden, planning is of the essence. Jo Ellen will present some ideas, tips and other bits of info to make the event successful but not stressful.
About Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp hoosiergardener.com
Jo Ellen Meyers Sharp, an award-winning journalist, has been writing a weekly gardening column for The Indianapolis Star since 1989. She is a regular contributor to Indiana Gardening Magazine and is the editor of Iowa Gardener, Michigan Gardening, Minnesota Gardener and Wisconsin Gardening magazines. She is vice president of GWA: The Association for Garden Communicators, a director of the Indianapolis Museum of Art Horticultural Society, member of the Cultural Landscape Committee of Indiana Landmarks and an Advanced Master Gardener. She speaks throughout the country. She and Tom Tyler co-authored the best-selling The Indiana Gardener’s Guide, and she wrote The Visitor’s Guide to American Gardens. Jo Ellen trials about 100 plants a year and has been working for nearly 20 years at a large, independent garden center in Indianapolis, where for two years, she was the buyer of perennials, trees, shrubs and bulbs.
More about Serenity...
This 1868 home was one of the first in Zionsville. Enter through the antique doors and you are stepping back in time. Experience wonderful antiques, aged rugs, period lighting and sensational food.
Sullivan Munce Center / 225 W Hawthorne St / Zionsville
HALLOWEEN PARTY & CHILI COOKOFF PITCH-IN: We have several members who have signed up to bring chili and the fixins! Gonna be delicious! 🌶
COSTUMES: Dress as a rose contest. Prizes for Winners!
Grab your rose catalog or look online for rose names. There are some great options. Seriously, do you think someone will come as Dolly Parton or Pope John Paul II? Those are names of roses, so it could be. 😱
PROGRAM: Teresa Byington: 2018 Rose Introductions — Find out what new roses are being released for 2018!
Please share this page with those you’d like to invite. Meetings are open to the public.
We look forward to seeing you there … and sampling all the chili!
🌶🌶🌶
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! AWARDS BANQUET & NEW BOARD INSTALLATION
FRI, NOV 10, 6:30 pm Serenity Restaurant 135 South Main Street, Zionsville
$20 per person
Mark your calendar for this fun event. We will celebrate the outgoing year’s highlights, give out awards and install our new board for 2018.
More about Serenity...
This 1868 home was one of the first in Zionsville. Enter through the antique doors and you are stepping back in time. Experience wonderful antiques, aged rugs, period lighting and sensational food.
A day filled with beautiful roses in the garden and on display. Workshops to help you take your rose gardening experience to the next level. Yes, even in Indiana, you can have the rose garden of your dreams! And, a delightful and knowledgeable speaker who will teach and inspire us all!
SPEAKER:
Pat Shanley
American Rose Society President
Chairman, American Garden Rose Selections
PROGRAM:
Sustainable Rose Growing
Pat Shanley’s first experience growing roses wasn’t rosy. She was frustrated to find her roses needed to be chemically treated to survive. Seeking help, she sought out advice from her local rose society. And the rest is rose history.
Since that fateful day, she has slowly risen to the top of the national rose scene. She has held numerous esteemed positions in the rose world and has much to teach us about growing roses sustainably.
ACTIVITIES
Tour the lovely HCMGA Rose Garden and enjoy the 3rd Annual Tea in the Rose Garden Tea in the Rose Garden will be from 9:30 – 11:30
Rose Display: See hundreds of IRS member grown roses Roses will be on display from 9:30 am – 3 pm. (Public is invited to bring roses to display also!) Voting will be done by guests to the show. Prizes will be awarded at 2 pm.
Workshops Small group workshops will repeat throughout the morning and early afternoon. (see workshop description below)
SCHEDULE FOR THE DAY
9:30: ROSE DISPLAY OPENS (Public will vote on entries)
10:00 & 10:30: WORKSHOP ROTATION
11:00: SPECIAL GUEST SPEAKER:
Pat Shanley, President of the American Rose Society
Progam: Growing Roses Sustainably
Pat’s book, The Sustainable Rose Garden, will be available.
1:00 & 1:30: REPEAT WORKSHOP ROTATION
2:00: Awards announced
WORKSHOPS:
Flower Arranging
The Incredible Edible Rose
Soil Prep, Planting & Fertilizing
Rose Types / Choosing the Right Rose for Your Garden
Pruning Roses
What’s Best Against My Pest
WORKSHOP DESCRIPTIONS
Small group workshops will repeat through the morning and early afternoon.
FLOWER ARRANGING: Teresa Byington, former florist, garden blogger, co-host of Rose Chat Podcast, Master Gardener and VP of Indianapolis Rose Society will share tips and tricks of floral design using roses, companion plants and greenery–most of which can be grown in your backyard!
THE INCREDIBLE EDIBLE ROSE Eloisa Garza, our society secretary, Master Gardener and beekeeper extraordinaire, will share tips and history on cooking and flavoring with roses. Did you know that the rose is an herb? Bring your questions and your taste buds for sampling!
SOIL PREP, PLANTING & FERTILIZERS: Mark Nolen, Past President of Indianapolis Rose Society, ARS Horticulture Judge and Master Rosarian, has been growing roses for 50 years. He grows more than 300 roses and is a winner of numerous awards. Mark has much to teach us about preparing the soil, planting and fertilizer use. Maybe award winning roses are in your future. Mark can help!
ROSE TYPES / CHOOSING THE RIGHT ROSE FOR MY GARDEN Linda Kimmel, Indianapolis Rose Society President, writer for Indiana Gardening magazine and ARS Horticulture and Arrangements Judge will share rose types and a bit of the rose’s rich history. Did you know that roses have been around for millions of years. Just like the dinosaurs, there is fossil proof!
PRUNING ROSES: John Hefner has been given almost every award the rose world has to offer. He is a world renowned rose grower. He has even created new roses that made their way to market! Regardless of the type of rose bush you have (and they are many). He will teach you how to prune for maximum health and bloom of your rose.
WHAT’S BEST AGAINST MY ROSE PEST: Humberto DeLuca, Indianapolis Rose Society Vice President grows a variety of roses from David Austins to Hybrid Teas, Shrubs and Climbers in combination with hostas and companion plants. In every rose gardeners life come the undesirables – pests we want to “discourage.” Humberto will help you identify your problem and offer solutions to what’s bugging your plants!
There will be gorgeous roses and helpful rose products for sale!
Please like and share all the messages about ROSEFEST you see on this site and any of our social media sites. We don’t want anyone who loves gardening and roses to miss out!
The 2017 theme is BACK TO THE BASICS:
Planting, Pruning, Playing and More!
And, we are going to be doing some of all of that! Yes, this is going to be a exciting growing year filled with local and national speakers, member garden tours, wine and roses event, ROSEFEST and MORE. Mark your calendar and don’t miss a minute!
Our meetings are OPEN TO THE PUBLIC so everyone is invited. Exception — some home garden tours are for members and their guests only. Our members have some fabulous gardens — a great reason to join the society so you can see them!
TUES, MARCH 14, 6:30 pm
Sullivan Munce Center / 225 W Hawthorne St / Zionsville
SPEAKER: Dr. Mark Windham (Distinguished Professor of Plant Pathology / UT)
PROGRAM: Soil Prep, Planting & Rose Rosette Update
TUES, APRIL 11, 6:30 pm
Sullivan Munce Center /225 W Hawthorne St / Zionsville
PROGRAM: Fertilizers and Soil Amendments Panel
John Hefner, Mark Nolen, Humberto DeLuca
TUE, MAY 9, 6:30 pm
Sullivan Munce Center / 225 W Hawthorne St / Zionsville
SPEAKER: Carrie Petty (Master Gardener & Home Show Speaker)
PROGRAM: Garden Design with Roses
SAT, JUNE 10, 9:30 – 3 pm
ROSEFEST / FREE / OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
SAT, JUNE 10
Hamilton County Fairgrounds
2003 Pleasant St, Noblesville, IN DETAILS HERE.
SAT, JULY 8 / 5 pm
WINE AND ROSES IN THE GARDEN
John & Donna Hefner Home
Details @ jdhefner@sbcglobal.net This event is open to members and their guests only. Please RSVP!
TUES, AUG 8 / 6:30 pm
Sullivan Munce Center / 225 W Hawthorne St / Zionsville
SPEAKERS:
Diane: Former Curator of the Missouri Botanical Gardens
Roger: Current Illinois Indiana District Director
PROGRAM: Classification of Roses
SAT, SEPT 30, 4:30 pm
GARDEN PARTY at Humberto DeLuca’s Home
11111 Echo Grove Lane, Indianapolis
RSVP to rhdeluca@gmail.com
TUES, OCT 10, 6:30 pm
Sullivan Munce Center / 225 W Hawthorne St / Zionsville
HALLOWEEN PARTY & CHILI COOKOFF PITCH-IN
Dress as a rose contest: Prizes for Winners
PROGRAM: 2018 Rose Releases — Teresa Byington
FRI, NOV 10, 6:30 pm
AWARDS BANQUET
Location TBD
SAT, DEC 2, 6 pm, CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE
HOST: Rene LaFollette
RSVP: Reneelafollette@att.net
Time for the Indianapolis Rose Society Annual Rose Sale!
Planting season will be here before you know it! Here are the roses the Indianapolis Rose Society will have for sale. Place you order now to get the ones you want.
Most of these varieties are not available locally — and definitely not at this low price!
NOTE: Our program has changed for October! Diane Brueckman had to cancel.
NEW! Joyce Durbin Miller comes highly recommended and will talk to us about herbs. The rose is an herb too, so this will be right down our alley! Did you know that in 2012 The International Herb Association named the rose as Herb of the Year? You can read more about that HERE. Come help us make our guest speaker feel right at home!
Our VP Teresa Byington is just back from judging at the Biltmore International Rose Trial and she will have an update about that. Add to that voting on our officers for 2017 and our ever popular Roundtable Discussion lead by Humberto DeLuca on 2016 Successes and Failures, and this is a evening not to be missed!
This will be our last meeting until our Awards / Christmas Banquet on Friday, December 2. It has been an amazing year with a room packed full of rose friends. Once our 2017 officers are decided on, we will get to working on another great year!
Awards Banquet / Christmas Party Friday, December 2 Rathskeller Restaurant (Details here.)
Please RSVP to Humberto here.
Please share this post with others via email or social media! The more the merrier. And, be sure people know that all our meetings are open to the public!
You are invited to our Arrangement Judging School and Seminar.
Open to everyone that is interested. Arrangement Judges can get auditing credits. Newbies can audit the class just to learn. But those wanting to become an Arrangement Judge (of course, they have meet ARS guidelines) will take the written and practical exam on Sunday morning. – Linda Kimmel, Event Organizer
We wish you a wonderful holiday season and look forward to seeing you in 2016!
Whether you already grow roses or have a desire to add growing roses to your 2016 to do list, we hope you will join us! Our society leadership elves are busy making plans and the coming year is one that will be over the top!
We start in March meeting on the second Tuesday of each month, and look forward to sharing programs, workshops and tours of our member’s beautiful gardens with you.
Leading the pack in 2016…
President: Linda Kimmel
1st Vice President: Teresa Byington
2nd Vice President: Humberto DeLuca
Treasurer: Donna Hefner
Secretary: Monica Taylor
Newsletter Editor: Renee LaFolloette
Past President: Carol Tumbas
HAVE QUESTIONS?
Fill out this simple form and we’ll get back with you…
We start out with our spring district meeting and go all the way to Christmas with rosey fun!
All of our meetings are open to the public, so come and join us! Whether you are new to growing roses or a long-term rosarian who would welcome the company of other rose lovers, you are welcome.
If you are a newbie and have some questions, we have a group of experienced rosarians who would love to help you with every area of rose culture — from planting and routine care, to exhibiting and everything in between.
If you are on social media, stop by our Facebook page and say hello.
2015 SCHEDULE...
SAT, MAR 14 / DISTRICT MEETING / PEORIA, IL LOCATION: Barracks Cater Inn SPEAKERS:
Mike Shoup—Antique Rose Emporium
Carol Shockley—Exciting Roses for 2015
Sonja Lallemand—Earth Kind Roses
Diane Bruckman—The Changing World of Roses
THURS, MAR 19 / 6:30 pm PROGRAM: Rugosas: Linda Kimmel
Linda, our Vice President, has a great deal of experience growing rugosas and recently published an article on rugosas in the Indiana Gardening magazine.
LOCATION: Contour Hardening
8401 Northwest Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46278
THURS, ARPIL 9 / 6:30 pm PROGRAM: John Hefner — Pest Control
Identification and Treatment of Common Bugs & Diseases
Our very own John Hefner, one of the most decorated rosarians in
the ARS, will talk to us about identifying and treating rose diseases.
LOCATION: Contour Hardening
8401 Northwest Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46278
SAT, APRIL 11 / 9 am – 3 pm Boone County Gardenfest (IRS Booth)
11:30 am / Program: Rugged Rugosas by Linda Kimmel
SAT, APRIL 25 / 9 am – 4 pm Gardening for the Ages (IRS Booth)
Hendricks County Fairgrounds
SAT, MAY 2 / 9 am – 4 pm Johnson Co. Garden Fair (IRS Booth)
9:30 am / Program: Rugged Rugosas by Linda Kimmel
THURS, MAY 14 / 6:30 pm PROGRAM: Bill Carlson — Flower Arranging for a Rose Show
Bill, ARS Arrangement Judge and outstanding designer, will give us some tips and hands-on experience for award winning arrangements!
POP BOTTLE DISPLAY: Bring your roses for “show and tell.”
LOCATION: Contour Hardening
8401 Northwest Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46278
SAT, JUNE 20, 4 PM PROGRAM: Mark Nolen—Preparing Roses for a Rose Show
Mark, our past president and winner of numerous ARS rose show awards including last year’s Queen of Show, will take us through the steps he takes to get his roses ready for a rose show.
LOCATION: Mark and Cathy Nolen’s Garden
SAT, JUNE 27 / 5 pm GARDEN TOUR / PITCH-IN: Nick & Anne Stanley
POP BOTTLE DISPLAY: Bring your roses for “show and tell.”
THURS, JULY 16 / 6:30 pm
Jim Hering: The Award of Excellence Program He is currently the chairman of the ARS Miniature/Miniflora Rose Committee which oversees the AOE trials. POP BOTTLE DISPLAY: Bring your roses for “show and tell.”
LOCATION: Contour Hardening
8401 Northwest Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46278
THURS, AUGUST 20 / 6:30 PROGRAM: Invasive plants / Colletta Kosiba Colletta is a Gold Master Gardener and Indiana Master Naturalist. POP BOTTLE DISPLAY: Bring your roses for “show and tell.” LOCATION: Contour Hardening 8401 Northwest Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46278
SEPT 26 DISTRICT MEETING / ROSE SHOW
LOCATION: La Quinta Inn
SPEAKERS:
Stephen Scanneillo, Curator of Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden
Bruce Monroe, Photography
THUR, OCT 08 / 6:30 pm PROGRAM: Lyon, France Trip — Carol Tumbas & Linda Kimmel
POP BOTTLE DISPLAY: Bring your roses for “show and tell.”
LOCATION: Contour Hardening
8401 Northwest Blvd, Indianapolis, IN 46278
SAT, NOV 21 / 5:30 pm PROGRAM: Mystery Theater / Awards Banquet / Officer Installation
LOCATION: Serenity in Zionsville
COST: $30 Friends and family are welcome to attend!
SUN, DEC / 5:00 pm CHRISTMAS PARTY / PITCH-IN
LOCATION: Barbara Stauch’s Home
GIFT EXCHANGE: Bring a Dirty Santa gift
POP BOTTLE DISPLAYS
We love to see our fellow rose growers blooms throughout the season.
So, we have “Pop Bottle Displays” at our meetings during the growing season and hope you’ll bring some of your blooms to share. It would be great if you could add a label and come prepared to tell us a little about the roses you bring, but it’s not required. It’s a great way to learn from each other and we just love to see the blooms!
Due to the polar vortex, we have had more than our fair share of winter. Even though the picture above is beautiful of the sleeping roses, let’s talk about spring and summer. Please leave a comment below and let us know what rose you are most looking forward to see blooming in your garden this year.
Here are some general tips on pruning hybrid teas and floribunda roses from Indianapolis Rose Society’s former president, Mark Nolen.
Always prune to good healthy tissue easily recognized by the green bark on the outside of the cane and white core revealed after the cut is made. If the inner core of the stem is tan, the wood has been damaged and needs to be pruned out.
To accelerate the healing process after the pruning cut is made; a drop of Elmer’s Glue can ensure a quicker recovery as well as provide an instant protective barrier against cane borers.
Prune to ensure the center of the bush is open for maximum air circulation so that canes grow from the bud union like spikes of a wheel with no crossover canes.
Plan to remove all growth on the main stems that is not capable of supporting a reasonable thickness of stem. For hybrid teas, a bloom needs a stem about pencil thickness or greater for support.
If suckers are present (growth from the root structure below the bud union) remove them from as close to the main root below the bud union as possible. If allowed to grow, the sucker will eventually take over the whole rose bush.
Remove old canes that appear to be woody by sawing them off as close to the bud union as possible. Make this cut clean and smooth. Should any stubs from bad cuts made the year before remain, saw them off cleanly. Finally, lightly apply a wire brush to the outside of the bud union to loosen and remove any dead tissue to promote basal growth.
After pruning, the rose bed should be thoroughly cleaned of dead leaves and other debris. This is to reduce the occurrence of various insects and fungi by not allowing them a hiding place. Discard all fallen debris; do not place in the compost pile.
To ensure the destruction of all insects and fungi, apply an organic based dormant spray such as Lime & Sulfur immediately after pruning. Do not wait more than one or two weeks to perform this spraying as the spray may damage emerging growth. If new growth has emerged, use a product called “Mancozeb” or Manzate.
This year’s show was held on June 15 at the Garfield Park Conservatory.
Participants ranged from long-time, award-winning members to several novices just getting their feet wet.
The coveted Queen of Show was awarded to our very own John Hefner with the lovely Moonstone rose. John is one of the most decorated rosarians in the US and is such a great mentor to the newbies in our society.
FRI, NOV 10, 6:30 pm
The 2017 theme is BACK TO THE BASICS:
Planting, Pruning, Playing and More! 
Cherry Parfait / Hybrid Tea / Continuous Bloomer
All The Rage / Easy Care Shrub
Indianapolis Rose Society 
Leave a comment