Tag Archives: Indianapolis

JANUARY MEETING

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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:

Join Zoom Meeting…

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86945350498?pwd=bHp2Zb767fMftHpABsXPV1LOLb55U8.1

Meeting ID: 869 4535 0498 / Passcode: 338054

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!

THAT’S A WRAP!

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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!

HOLIDAY DINNER

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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 email HERE. 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 Companions
Potpourri Making
Potpourri Making
David Austin Presentation

🌹See you on November 11…

OCTOBER MEETING

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Don’t Miss This One!

Tues, Oct 14 / 6:30 pm / Sullivan Munce / Zionsville

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!

MEMBERSHIP $25

See membership form here…  

LOOKING FOR TIPS ON GROWING ROSES IN INDIANA? Check out article by our members, HERE.

HERE ARE SOME IMAGES FROM SUMMER EVENTS…

IRS 8/12/2025
IRS 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

Lady of Shallot growing in Trudy Struck’s garden.


JUNE MEETING: BOUQUET WORKSHOP

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TUES, JUNE 10, 6:30 pm / Sullivan Munce

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. 

RSVP!

Please helps us plan by sending an RSVP to IndplsRoseSoc@gmail.com.

WHAT TO BRING…

  • Floral Snips
  • 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.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

HOUSE BEAUTIFUL TRENDS (Link)

BLOOM COLLEGE (Link)

ELEMENTS OF FLORAL DESIGN (Link)

FLOWER ARRANGING FOR VARIOUS OCCASIONS (Link)

MARCH MEETING

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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!

MEMBERSHIP $25

See membership form here…

FEBRUARY MEETING

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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 INFO:

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89459472338?pwd=islRdmLmVizcQ7SMVcWbEFgnVGA1IA.1

Meeting ID: 894 5947 2338

Passcode: 802562

ZOOM PROGRAMS ARE RECORDED

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.

JANUARY MEETING

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FROM THE PRESIDENT

WELCOME!

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.

Available at High Country Roses HERE.

CANCELLED!

SPEAKER

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!


A Fun Video of 2024 Activities…


OCTOBER MEETING

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FOOD, COSTUMES, PRIZES AND GARDEN TALK!

Hey friends, add this fun event to your calendar today!🧙‍♀️ And, start working on your favorite recipe and a costume.

Please sign up here for what food you will bring to the meeting… SIGNUP

 

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.

This event is open to be public so grab a friend and come join us!

🌹 🌹 🌹 🌹 🌹 🌹 🌹 🌹

2025 PROPOSED BOARD

President: Teresa Downham
Vice President: Norma Bledsoe
Secretary: Rhonda Orem
Treasurer: Tad Sayama
Social Media/Website: Teresa Byington
Editor: Emily Cook
Member at Large/Rose Sale: Kim Chmielewski
Past President: Trudy Struck

🌹Voting will take place at our October meeting!

 

Teresa Downham / President
Norma Bledsoe / VP
Rhonda Orem / Secretary
Tad Sayama/ Treasurer
Teresa Byington / Website & Social Media
Emily Cook / Editor
Kim Chmielewski / Rose Sale
Trudy Struck / Past President

 

🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂🍃🍂


“By all these lovely tokens September days are here. With summer’s best of weather and autumn’s best of cheer.” — Helen Hunt Jackson

 

🍃

JULY EVENTS…

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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!

 

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75 YEARS

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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.

MARCH MEETING

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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.

JANUARY MEETING

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Tuesday, January 9, 2024 / 6:30 pm.

Join Zoom Meeting…
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/81255812087?pwd=eUFKUkNkWGRSSlVJVmdYYTBqTHNPdz09
Meeting ID: 812 5581 2087
Passcode: 292308

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.

2024 ANNUAL ROSE SALE

Here is a PDF of the roses for sale. Enjoy!


2024-irs-rose-sale-selectionsDownload

TO PLACE ORDERS OR ASK QUESTIONS? Contact us here.

ROSE PRICES…

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.

⭐️ MEMBERSHIP = Rose Discounts!

Prices on roses are just one of the many benefits of annual $20 membership.
If you’d like to become a member, here is the information (LINK).

NOTE TO CURRENT MEMBERS: IT IS TIME TO RENEW!

Happy Garden Planning!

GARDEN TOURS / SUN, MAY 21

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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 Gardens for 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.

Check out our plant inventory at https://www.treefroggardens.co/plant-sale.

FIND JOHN ONLINE:

WEBSITE Link

FACEBOOK Link

MEMBERSHIP: JOIN OR RENEW TODAY!

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
  • 🌹4-month free trial to American Rose Society
  • 🌹How to purchase our fertilizer
  • 🌹Discounts on roses through our annual rose sale
  • 🌹Automatic inclusion in the IL IN Rose District events
  • 🌹And, you will learn ways you can jump in and get involved!

Membership Fee: $20
Details here.

ANNUAL ROSE SALE

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!

2023-irs-rose-sale-available-varieties-march-20-2023-updateDownload


TO FIND OUT WHAT IS STILL AVAILABLE… Contact us here.

ROSE PRICES…

IRS MEMBERS:
David Austin: $38
All Other Roses: $30

NON MEMBERS:
David Austin: $43
All Other Roses: $35

We are growing roses and growing friends! Join us!

MARCH MEETING

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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

SPEAKER:

Teresa Byington, IRS board member, master gardener, 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.

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.)

Go back

Your message has been sent

Attending?(required)

MEMBERSHIP: JOIN OR RENEW TODAY!

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
  • 🌹4-month free trial to American Rose Society
  • 🌹How to purchase our fertilizer
  • 🌹Discounts on roses through our annual rose sale
  • 🌹Automatic inclusion in the IL IN Rose District events
  • 🌹And, you will learn ways you can jump in and get involved!

Membership Fee: $20
Details here.

ANNUAL ROSE SALE

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!



Here is a PDF of the roses for sale. Enjoy!

2023 IRS Rose Sale February 14 2023 Availability UpdateDownload

TO PLACE ORDERS OR ASK QUESTIONS? Contact us here.

ROSE PRICES…

IRS MEMBERS:
David Austin: $38
All Other Roses: $30

NON MEMBERS:
David Austin: $43

We look forward to seeing you and your friends at Sullivan Munce on March 14!

FEBRUARY PROGRAM…

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TUES, FEB 14, 6:30 PM (ZOOM)


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.

LINK TO ZOOM:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87842240093?pwd=bmg4MTRQTGFMdkVuK2dzU1Zwc2h4Zz09

ABOUT GAYE’S PROGRAM:

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…

Leave a comment

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
  • 🌹4-month free trial to American Rose Society
  • 🌹How to purchase our fertilizer
  • 🌹Invitations to upcoming private garden tours
  • 🌹Discounts on roses through our annual rose sale
  • 🌹Automatic inclusion in the IL IN Rose District events
  • 🌹Access to past recorded program via our “Members Only” Section
  • 🌹And, you will learn ways you can jump in and get involved!

Membership Fee: $20

Download application HERE.

Let’s Spring Into Spring

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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.

LINK TO ZOOM:

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/87842240093?pwd=bmg4MTRQTGFMdkVuK2dzU1Zwc2h4Zz09

MARCH MEETING

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.)

Go back

Your message has been sent

Attending?(required)

ANNUAL ROSE SALE

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!



Here is a PDF of the roses for sale. Enjoy!

2023-irs-rose-sale-1Download

TO PLACE ORDERS OR ASK QUESTIONS? Contact us here.

ROSE PRICES…

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.

Controlling Thrips
Rose Midge
Exhibiting Winning Roses: What Does It Take by John Hefner

MEMBERSHIP: JOIN OR RENEW TODAY!

Membership is open to anyone interested in roses. 

⭐️ Once you are a member… you will receive regular updates that include…

  • 🌹Society news
  • 🌹Upcoming programs
  • 🌹4-month free trial to American Rose Society
  • 🌹How to purchase our fertilizer
  • 🌹Invitations to upcoming private garden tours
  • 🌹Discounts on roses through our annual rose sale
  • 🌹Automatic inclusion in the IL IN Rose District events
  • 🌹Access to past recorded program via our “Members Only” Section
  • 🌹And, you will learn ways you can jump in and get involved!

Membership Fee: $20

Download application HERE.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO GROWING WITH YOU.

HERE’S WHAT’S COMING UP …

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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.

HELP US PLAN FOOD QUANTITY: Please RSVP to Teresa Downham HERE.

DECEMBER: Holiday Break / No meeting

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.

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!

Create Your Garden Dream with Climbing Roses

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TUES, AUGUST 14, 6:30 pm

Location: Sullivan Munce ​/ 225 West Hawthorne Street  / Zionsville, IN 46077

Linda Kimmel, immediate past president of the Indianapolis Rose Society, will share with us the charm and grace of climbing roses—which ones to grow and how to care for them!

PROGRAM: Create Your Garden Dream with Climbing Roses

There are few plants that can rival the gorgeous climbing roses in the garden, creating ambiance of nostalgia and breath-taking beauty. Stephen Scanniello, Curator of the Rockefeller Rose Garden, New York, refers to climbing roses as the “acrobats and aerialists” of the garden. Climbing roses can be used in countless ways, such as cascading over fences, trellis’ or walls, softening hard landscapes, concealing ugly structures or small buildings, accentuating windows or entryways. They can provide a back drop for other garden plants or make a stunning focal point, creating breath-taking picturesque effects. Climbing roses are versatile. And if you choose healthy, disease resistant and winter hardy varieties, they can last a lifetime with reasonable or even minimal care.

What climbing roses are right for your garden?; What care do they need?; Pruning when and how?; How to winterize?

Come to the meeting and get your questions answered about Creating your Garden Dream with Climbing Roses.

Round Table Discussion: Overwintering Roses in Containers
**Panel: John Hefner, Linda Kimmel, Teresa Byington
Bring your tips, your stories and your questions about overwintering roses in containers.

We are looking forward to seeing you there!

 

 

Will the Real Seven Sisters Please Stand Up

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-Linda Kimmel
Indianapolis Rose Society

There is some confusion about the Seven Sisters Rose, as there are several different roses by the same name. helpmefind.com has six different varieties listed. Can we get some clarity?

A Bit of History…

‘Seven Sisters’ is believed to be an old Chinese garden rose which was introduced from Japan to England by Charles Greville in the early 1800s. John Loudon (England), a most influential horticultural nurseryman and journalist of his time, wrote (1844): “The variety of the color produced by the buds at first opening was not less astonishing than their number. White, light blush, deeper blush, light red, darker red, scarlet and purple flowers, all appear in the same corymb, and the production of these seven colors at once is said to the be the reason why this rose is known as the Seven Sisters Rose.”

According to Charles Quest-Ritson, author of “Climbing Roses of the World”, writes “the clone currently in cultivation was likely grown from seeds imported from Japan and acquired by Phillipe Noisette, a London market gardener. Brent Dickerson, author of “The Old Garden Rose Advisor”, writes about R. multiflora ‘Polyantha’, also grown from seeds imported from Japan that “It is evidently quite variable, and the small number of seeding it has given us have sometimes differed from the type so much that none of the characteristics of the original are preserved.” So, is it safe to assume that seedlings of the ‘Seven Sisters’ roses, also R. multiflora, acquired from Japan may have varied in breeding lines and traits? Once the ‘Seven Sisters’ rose was introduced (1815), it took a few years for it to gain in popularity, but eventually in the mid-century, rose sales started to take off. As the public demand exceeded the supply, nurseries started selling knock-off versions of ‘Seven Sisters’, creating even more confusion.

Characteristics (common to the real ‘Seven Sisters’)

‘Seven Sisters’ is a medium pink blend Hybrid Multiflora, once-blooming in the spring or early summer, born in large clusters, with individual flowers being less than 2-inches. Height can reach 10 to 20-ft and can get 10-ft wide. Hardy from zones 4b to 9b but tends to be shorter and smaller in colder zones. ‘Seven Sisters’ is not picky, it will grow well in dry or wet, acid or alkaline soil. Prefers full sun but can tolerate some light shade. Being hardy and disease resistant, as well as easy to propagate, ‘Seven Sisters’ is an ideal rose to grow and share with your friends and rose enthusiast. After all these years, ‘Seven Sisters’ is still an intensely popular rose in the landscape.

‘Seven Sisters’ is the ARS approved registration name. Alternative cultivar names may include: ‘Grevillei’, Grevilli major’, ‘Oizimei’, ‘Rosier Multiflore a Grandes Feuilles’, Rosa thoryi, Rose multiflora f. platyphylla. Most American rose nurseries sell this version as the real ‘Seven Sisters’, so ladies, please standup.

Alias Seven Sisters includes (but not limited to): ‘Red Seven Sisters’ (not registered) and Félicité-Perpétue (HSem).

‘Seven Sisters’ is comfortable on an old farm fence or a formal rose bed. Regardless of where ‘Seven Sisters’ is planted, it will bring you happiness for years. Photo reprinted with permission from Jonquil Junction (Arkansas).

Labeled ‘Seven Sisters’, most likely the “Red” version.  ‘Red Seven Sisters’ is a found rose, hybrid multiflora, once-blooming, hardy zone 6b to 8. Growth habit is similar. Reprinted with permission by Rich Baer, photo taken at a Llama farm in Washington State.

‘Seven Sisters’ Félicité-Perpétue (Hybrid Sempervirens) was hybridized by Antoine Jacques (French breeder) in 1827. This ‘Seven Sisters’ is white or near white with a blush of pink. Its growth, habit, bloom and form are similar to her medium pink counterpart. Hardy between 6b and 10b.Reprinted with permission by Lee Tomlinson, photo taken at San Jose Historic Rose Garden.

2018 Calendar of Events

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FROM THE PRESIDENT:

Glad you stopped by to see what’s going on this year!

We are looking forward to a full schedule for 2018 as we learn TIPS, TRICKS & HACKS FOR GROWING ROSES.

Our group is made up of people of all ages and stages of growing roses. Some have a few roses and some have hundreds. Some are just getting started and some have been growing roses for 40 years or more. A perfect place to learn and grow. And, you’ll meet the best people!

We meet on the 2nd Tuesday of the month at 6:30 in the evening at the Sullivan Munce Cultural Center in charming downtown Zionsville! That is except for special events and they are usually on the weekend. (Schedule below.) Our meetings are open to the public, so invite a friend to join you!

Our time together includes friends, fun, food and loads of ROSE TALK! Door Prizes Too!

Teresa Byington
President

2018 PROGRAMS . . .

TUES, MARCH 13, 6:30 pm
GETTING OUR GARDEN OFF TO A GOOD START
Location: Sullivan Munce / Zionsville
Special Guest: Diane Sommers, ARS District 5 Director, Master Rosarian and VP Candidate for ARS
Program: Let’s Grow Together
Diane will share her tips for getting our gardens off to a good start and her vision for the American Rose Society.
 For more about Diane, read on here.

TUES, APRIL 10, 6:30 pm: SOIL HEALTH
Location: Sullivan Munce / Zionsville
Speaker:  Kevin Allison, Marion County  Soil Health Specialist
Kevin Allison, Marion County SWCD Soil Health Specialist, will lead a discussion on using the principles of soil health to organically improve soil: Minimizing soil disturbance, maximizing diversity, keeping the soil covered, and providing a continuous living root.
Kevin will explore how amendments, diverse mulching and cover crops can be integrated into flower production and preparing new beds.
**Q & A with Kevin

TUES, MAY 8, 6:30 pm: EARTH-KIND ROSES
Location: Sullivan Munce / Zionsville
Speaker: Carol Tumbas, Rose Expert & Former President of Indianapolis Rose Society
The Earth-Kind testing program is responsible for so many sustainable plants for our gardens.
**Round-Table Discussion: What pests are bugging you?
**Panel: Carol Tumbas, Linda Kimmel, John Hefner

SAT, MAY 26, 9 – 3: ROSEFEST: ROSES OLD AND NEW
Hamilton Co. 4-H Fairgrounds, Noblesville
Focus on Early Bloomers: Old Garden Roses, Rugosas, as well as the new modern roses etc.
Speaker: Mike Shoup / Author and Owner Antique Rose Emporium
In addition:  There will be Garden Tour, Rose Show, Educational Displays, Workshops, Roses and Rose Products for sale
FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBIC!

THURS – SAT, JUNE 7 – 9
STATE MASTER GARDENER CONFERENCE
4-H Fairground in Danville, IN
Carol Tumbas, rose expert and former President of Indianapolis Rose Society, will give a program entitled The Incredible Edible Rose
**The Indianapolis Rose Society will have an information booth and will sell roses.

TUES, JUNE 12, 6:00 pm: ICE CREAM SOCIAL & GARDEN PARTY
Location: Marilyn and Dick Ferguson’s  beautiful garden
**More details to come.

TUES, JULY 10: PROPAGATION WORKSHOP / CUTTINGS
Location: Sullivan Munce / Zionsville
Humberto DeLuca & Masiel Milligan,  will show us techniques for taking rose cuttings
**Round Table Discussion: How to care for roses in extreme heat.
**Panel: Mark Nolen, Teresa Downham, John Hefner

SAT, JULY 21, 5 pm: PROPAGATION / BUDDING WORKSHOP
Location: Mark & Cathy Nolen’s amazing rose garden
Mark Nolen and John Hefner will show us techniques for bud grafting roses.
**Bring a salad, dessert or appetizer to share
**RSVP to Mark at Markbnolen@comcast.net.

TUES, AUGUST 14, 6:30 pm: CLIMBING ROSES
Location: Sullivan Munce / Zionsville
Linda Kimmel, immediate past president of the Indianapolis Rose Society, will share with us the charm and grace of climbing roses—which ones to grow and how to care for them!
**Round Table Discussion: Overwintering roses in pots
**Panel: John Hefner, Linda Kimmel, Teresa Byington

SAT, SEPT 8: DISTRICT MEETING & ROSE SHOW
Hosted by Indianapolis Rose Society
Boone Co. 4-H Fairgrounds
KEYNOTE: Bob Martin, American Rose Society Vice President
**Details are coming together and will be available soon.

OCTOBER TBD: FALL GARDEN PARTY
Teresa Downham’s garden
Costume party (dress as a rose name) and Chili Cookoff.

SAT, DEC 1, 6 pm: HOLIDAY PARTY  / AWARDS BANQUET
Join us for a holiday party in the Hefners’ holiday wonderland.
We will also give out 2018 awards and install our 2019 board.
A ‘not to miss’ event — Food, Fun, Outstanding Decor, Awards!
**RSVP to John and Donna at jdhefner63@gmail.com
**More details to come.

MARK YOUR CALENDARS! There is so much to learn and do and it will be more fun if you are there.

We are open to the public so invite a friend!

If you have any questions, contact us HERE.

 

Coming August 8 … Fun, Food and Door Prizes

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We start back to our regular meeting schedule Tuesday, August, 8 at 6:30 pm in lovely Zionsville at the Sullivan Munce Cultural Center. Details below…

TUES, AUG 8 / 6:30 pm
Sullivan Munce Center 
/ 225 W Hawthorne St / Zionsville

SPEAKERS:

Diane Brueckman: Former Curator of the Missouri Botanical Gardens
Roger Brueckman: Current Illinois Indiana District Director for the American Rose Society

PROGRAM: Classification of Roses and an update on “District” happenings

Our meetings are open to the public so bring a friend!

In additional to great information, there will be rose talk, fun, friendship, food and DOOR PRIZES!

John and Donna Hefner Have Done It Again!

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Long time leaders of the Indianapolis Rose Society and winners of almost every rose award available have been outstanding once again!

They have two new roses being introduced this year!

HUGS & KISSES


Comments from Richard at For Love of Roses: This great looking miniature rose is a sport of Mobile Jubilee that John Hefner found some time ago. We believe it is as good if not better than its look-a-like Breath of Spring. We recently applied for registration when John named the rose ‘Hugs & Kisses’ after the love he and Donna share with their grandchildren. It will be available in mid to late April on our website. Find this rose on the For Love of Roses website here.

BY DESIGN


Comments from Richard at For Love of Roses: This is another sport of Mobile Jubilee that was found by the outstanding rose exhibitor John Hefner. John and his wife Donna debated on several different names for this gorgeous miniature seedling finally deciding to on naming the rose ‘By Design’. In our biased opinion it is the perfect name for this beautiful rose. We are currently building inventory and anticipate having the rose being available sometime this coming Spring. Find this rose on the For Love of Roses website here.

These two beauties join the other two Hefner hybrids …
Miniature “Regine.” Regine won the 1990 ARS Award of Excellence.
Hybrid Tea “Classic Touch”

CONGRATULATIONS! WE ARE SO PROUD OF YOU!

Thank you both for making the world a more beautiful place with your friendship,
your leadership and with your beautiful roses.

Please leave a comment below to help us celebrate the Hefners!

From the President

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“The flowers of tomorrow are the seeds of today” (Indian proverb). We could say, the rose society of tomorrow is grown today. For the past two years, our board of directors has focused on growing our rose society and membership. I must say, 2016 was phenomenal! We received 17 new memberships last year and now our goal is to continue growing and retaining new and old members. Our mission is education, “dedicated exclusively to the cultivation and enjoyment of roses.”  We are rising to the challenge to offer something for everyone. The ever-popular round table discussion group will be back. And, our 2017 theme is “Back to the Basics”. Come learn, share and enjoy. We are going to have a GREAT 2017 year.

Our 2017 Kickoff…

TUES, MARCH 14, 6:30 pm
Sullivan Munce Center / 225 W Hawthorne St / Zionsville
SPEAKER: Dr. Mark  Windham 
(Distinguished Professor of Plant Pathology / UT Knoxville)
PROGRAM: Soil Prep, Planting & Rose Rosette Update

Come join us! All our meetings are open to the public!

Linda Kimmel
President

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The incredible, edible rose!

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Join us for our next meeting!

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Tuesday, August 9, 6:30 pm

Sullivan Munce Center
205 W Hawthorne St / Zionsville

PROGRAM:

Carol Tumbas will present a program on edible roses and rose fragrance. We hear there will be some yummy rose food to sample!

BRING CUT ROSES FROM YOUR GARDEN TO SHARE! 

ROUNDTABLE:

Humberto DeLuca will lead a discussion on pests and diseases we are dealing with and ways members are treating them. Bring your questions and your suggestions!

DOOR PRIZES AND RAFFLE:

We will end our evening with some fun door prizes. Be sure to get a ticket when you sign in!

We look forward to seeing you!

Have questions? Contact us at indplsrosesoc@gmail.com.

 

 

Rose Rosette Update!

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Mark Your Calendar!

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Tuesday, May 10 at 6:30 pm.

Mark2Dr. Mark Windham, Distinguished Professor in Ornamental Pathology at UT Knoxville, will speak to our society about Rose Rosette and where we are with the research being done. Dr. Windham is a very knowledgeable and entertaining speaker. In fact, those of us who have heard him are sure he could be a stand up comedian. Come enjoy a fun evening talking about a serious subject in the world of roses.

Our meetings are open to the pubic, so invite those you think might be interested.

We have several great events coming up…

Saturday, June 11 is our Rosefest 2016. This is going to be a day filled to the brim with roses. More on that here.  If you need tickets ($10), contact us via email at indplsrosesoc@gmail.com.

Saturday, July 9 at 6 pm is our Wine and Roses Party in the beautiful garden of Mark & Cathy Nolen. Details here.

Help us spread the word!

Share this article in email or on your social media networks!

 

2016 Program Lineup!

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We have a wonderful line up of meetings for 2016. See list below…

GUESTS: These meetings are open to the public so come and join the rosey fun.

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TUES, OCTOBER 11, 6:30 pm 

Sullivan Munce Center  /  205 W Hawthorne St / Zionsville

Welcome & Announcements: Linda Kimmel, President

Program:

Herbs by  Joyce Durbin Miller

Report on Biltmore Rose Trial by Teresa Byington

Roundtable: Humberto DeLuca / 2016 Successes & Failures

Door Prizes/Raffle

 

SAT, DEC

PAST 2016 MEETINGS:

SAT, SEPTEMBER 10
Fall District Meeting and Rose Show 
Richland Community College
Speakers:
Andy Plasz
Dr. Raymond Cloyd, entomologist from University of Kansas

 

TUES, SEPTEMBER 13, 6:30 pm

Sullivan Munce Center  /  205 W Hawthorne St / Zionsville

Welcome & Announcements: Linda Kimmel, President

Program: Eloisa Garza / Prison Garden Program

Roundtable: John Hefner / Fall Care & Winterizing / pH Soil Testing

Everyone who wants a soil test, bring a cup of soil in a non-metal container.

Door Prizes/Raffle

 

 

TUES, AUGUST 9, 6:30 pm

Sullivan Munce Center  /  205 W Hawthorne St / Zionsville

Welcome & Announcements: Linda Kimmel, President

Program: Carol Tumbas on Edible Roses and Rose Fragrance

Roundtable: Humberto DeLuca / Diseases this Season and How to Deal With Them

Door Prizes/Raffle: Humberto DeLuca

 

SAT, JULY 9 / 6 pm  WINE AND ROSES GARDEN PARTY
RSVP ONLY (See below)

Mark & Cathy Nolen’s home

7457 Donegal Lane

Indianapolis, IN 46217-5478

RSVP: 317-859-4142 markbnolen@comcast.net

Pitch-in: Bring your favorite wine and a hearty appetizer.


SAT, JUNE 11, 9:30 am-5pm

FIRST ANNUAL ROSEFEST!

Details here.

Hamilton County Fairgrounds

2003 Pleasant St, Noblesville, IN


TUE, MAY 10, 6:30 – 8:45 pm  

Sullivan Munce Center  /  205 W Hawthorne St / Zionsville

Welcome & Announcements: Linda Kimmel, President

Program: Dr. Mark Windham /Distinguished Professor in Ornamental Pathology / University of Tennessee (Knoxville)
Rose Rosette Disease and Other Major Rose Issues

Rosefest Update

Door Prizes/Raffle


TUES, APRIL 12, 6:30 pm 

Sullivan Munce Center / 205 W Hawthorne St / Zionsville

Welcome & Announcements: Linda Kimmel, President

Roll Call: Teresa Byington, VP
Roll Call: Your Favorite Rose Garden Book

Mini Program: Monica Taylor / Growing Roses in Containers

Mini Program: Teresa Byington / Rose Companions

Roundtable: John Hefner /  Chemicals & Midge Controls

Door Prizes/Raffle

TUES, MARCH 8, 6:30 pm 

Sullivan Munce Center / 205 W Hawthorne St / Zionsville

Welcome & Announcements: Linda Kimmel, President

Roll  Call: Teresa Byington, VP

2016 Program Highlights: Humberto DeLuca

Intro Board and Rosefest: Teresa Byington

Program: Mark Nolen / Spring Care & Pruning

Roundtable: John Hefner / 2015 Rose Experiences

Door Prizes/Raffle

 

Rosefest 2016: Timeless beauty for today’s gardens

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Indianapolis Rose Society invites you to a day filled with roses!

June 11 / 9:30 am – 5 pm
Hamilton County Fairgrounds
2003 Pleasant Street / Noblesville, IN

$10 EVENT TICKETS AVAILABLE
CONTACT: Monica Taylor at IndyMonica@gmail.com or 317.514.7284

Schedule for the day…

  • Tea in the HCMGA Rose Garden: 9:30 -11:30 am (Free)
    • Sponsored by the Hamilton Country Master Gardener Association.
  • Rose Display in Exhibition Center opens at 10:30 am (Free)
    • Public is invited to judge the rose displays.
  • Lectures 12:30 – 4 pm ($10) (Tickets required)
    • $10 ticket – entrance to all three lectures! Limited seating for lectures. (Tickets will go fast… let us know if you want them, here or contact Monica @  IndyMonica@gmail.com.
  • Rose display winners announced at 4 pm.

Speakers … 

Take a look at this rose dream team…

Peggy Martin of New Orleans, LA
12:30 – 1:30 pm | Program: Old Garden Roses
Peggy is the VP of the Heritage Rose Foundation and owner of the original Peggy Martin Rose, the rose that survived Hurricane Katrina.

Carol Tumbas of Bloomington, IN
1:45 – 2:45 pm | Program: Hardy, Sustainable Shrub Roses
Carol is the former President of the Indianapolis Rose Society, a well respected rosarian and grower of more than 500 roses.

Gaye Hammond of Houston, TX
3 – 4 pm | Program: Earth-Kind Roses
Gaye is a noted expert of the Texas A & M Earth-Kind Program and lectures nationwide about growing roses in no spray conditions.

Additional Information

  • Roses and rose products will be available for purchase.
  • Roses and rose arrangements from member’s garden will be on display.
  • The public is invited to judge displays.
  • There will be educational resources on roses and rose culture.
  • Download flyer here.   

Questions

IndplsRoseSoc@gmail.com

Tickets

$10 EVENT TICKETS AVAILABLE
CONTACT: Monica Taylor at IndyMonica@gmail.com or 317.514.7284

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2016 Message from the President: Linda Kimmel

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The Indianapolis Rose Society board of directors welcomes you to new year in roses. It promises to be a full, busy and satisfying year. We challenge you to bring a friend to every meeting! 

WE HAVE A FANTASTIC YEAR LINED UP!

PROGRAMS & ROUND TABLES
Humberto DeLuca, Program Chair (2nd Vice President), has been working hard, along with the input from all of the board, to outline a great year in programs and events. Most programs will have two mini-programs and a round table discussion. John Hefner is taking the lead on many round table discussions.

THIS FUNNY MAN KNOWS HIS STUFF
Expect an outstanding program about Rose Rosette from Dr. Mark Windham, University of Tennessee. Mark could do standup comedy; he is that funny. He is also that educational! You will learn about the newest research on how to combat and prevent the dreaded Rose Rosette disease. Dr. Windham is an absolute treat. I have heard him speak several times and I never tire of him.

ROSEFEST … TIMELESS BEAUTY FOR TODAY’S GARDEN
Teresa Byington and Monica Taylor have poured their hearts and souls into the First Annual Rosefest. It will be held at Hamilton County Fairgrounds, Noblesville, in June. There will be a tea, rose show display and educational programs eligible for CR and MG credits. Bring roses for display. Bring yourself to learn from the great lineup of speakers, including the knowledgeable Peggy Martin (Vice President of the Heritage Rose Society), our own Carol Tumbas (past President of the Indianapolis Rose Society) and the charming and dynamic Gaye Hammond (Earth Kind Rose Trials in Texas). This is one fantastic line up! Call it the “dream team” of rose programs. Do not miss out on this exciting new venture.

IN GOOD HANDS
Donna Hefner has assumed the responsibilities of Treasurer. We know our money is in good hands with Donna! We appreciate her stepping up to take over this very important role. Renee LaFollette has once again, accepted the role as editor. The editor keeps us connected through the newsletter. We thank Renee for her long term commitment. We have a sundry of committee chairs, serving in a lot of different and important capacities. We thank them for taking on these important roles.

WINE & ROSES GARDEN TOUR + MEMBERSHIP + FERTILIZER
In addition to the annual fertilizer program, Mark Nolen is serving as membership chair (new position). He has contacted every single member of the Indianapolis Rose Society, cleaning up our roster and has already recruited a new member. The personal touch helps! Cathy and Mark will be hosting a wine and roses garden tour at their home.

HERE COMES THE JUDGE
Another big event for 2016 is the Arrangement Judging School & Seminar. It has been over a decade since Indianapolis has hosted such a school. If you have any desire to attend, whether just to learn or to become a judge, please let me know. We would love to fill the room!

THE BRUECKMANS
Diane and Roger Brueckman (Roger is the IL-IN District Director), will be visiting in the fall. The Brueckmans’ are a lovey couple. You will enjoy their program, personalities and updates on the District/ARS business.

Let us share the year 2016…. share the joy, share the love, share the friendships and share your roses. We are going to have fun and it will be more fun if you are there.

Linda Kimmel, President

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Kicking Off the New Rose Year

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It is that time! Time to kick off the 2016 rose year!

Our officers have been working hard to put together a lineup of programs that will be perfect for the newbie and those who have been growing roses for years. We are even having a ROSE FESTIVAL and a WINE AND ROSES GARDEN TOUR! But, more on that in upcoming blog posts.

 

OUR 2016 OFFICERS

  • President Linda Kimmel
  • 1st Vice-President Teresa Byington
  • 2nd Vice-President Humberto DeLuca
  • Treasurer Donna Hefner 3
  • Secretary Monica Taylor
  • Newsletter Editor Renee LaFollette
  • Past President Carol Tumbas

FIRST MEETING

TUES, MARCH 8, 6:30 pm 

NEW LOCATION: Sullivan Munce Center / 205 W Hawthorne St / Zionsville

  • Welcome: Linda Kimmel, President
  • 2016 Program Highlights: Humberto DeLuca
  • Intro of Officers and Rosefest: Teresa Byington
  • Program: Mark Nolen / Spring Care & Pruning
  • Roundtable: John Hefner 2015 Roses Experiences
  • Door Prizes/Raffle

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This is a perfect time to come check us out and hear what we have planned!

 

COMING SOON!

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FRI-SUN, APRIL 29 – MAY 1

ARRANGEMENT WORKSHOP & SEMINAR
ARRANGEMENT JUDGING SCHOOL

La Quinta Inn, South / 5120 Victory Drive, Indianapolis

Download registration information here.

For more information, contact Linda here.

 

Happy Valentine’s Day!

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We wish you a very Happy Valentine’s Day filled with love and roses.

We also want to invite you to join us for the first meeting of the 2016 rose year!

DATE: TUESDAY, MARCH 8, 6:30 pm
LOCATION: SullivanMunce Center
205 W Hawthorne St / Zionsville

SCHEDULE FOR THE EVENING

  • Welcome and year overview: Linda Kimmel / President
  • Monthly program details: Humberto DeLuca / 2nd VP
  • Introduction to Rosefest 2016: Teresa Byington / VP
  • Program: Spring Care & Pruning: Mark Nolen
  • Roundtable Discussion / Recount 2015 Rose Experiences: John Hefner / Facilitator
  • Door Prizes/Raffle

We have so many exciting events coming up that we are excited to share with you.

Can you keep a secret??? One of our events is a Wine and Roses Party in a most beautiful rose garden of one of our members. Can you guess who?

It is no secret that we hope you will join us. It won’t be the same without YOU!