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: 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.
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.
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!
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 / PresidentNorma Bledsoe / VPRhonda Orem / SecretaryTad Sayama/ TreasurerTeresa Byington / Website & Social MediaEmily Cook / EditorKim Chmielewski / Rose SaleTrudy 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
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!
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.
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!
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.
The morning of June 8 (Saturday) started off with a Horticulture Judging Seminar in the beautiful home and garden of Mark and Cathy Nolen. Attendees came from near and far, including Ed Yesan from Collinsville, IL, Cheryl Pettus, Champaign, IL, Howard Carmen and Paula Williams from the countryside of Louisville, Ky. We were very happy to see Renee LaFollette back up and around, as well as Barbara Stauch.
Mark Nolen and John Hefner kick-started the morning with programs on judging rose horticulture, including topics concerning exhibition stage versus exhibition form, judging challenge classes and much more. Members practiced point scoring of several roses selected from the Nolen’s garden. After a beautiful lunch prepared by Cathy Nolen, Linda Kimmel leads the group in a lively game of Old Garden Rose Jeopardy. Mark polished off the afternoon with our final program including ethics. I think everyone went home with renewed enthusiasm and knowledge for judging roses. Thank you, Mark and Cathy Nolen, for hosting the Horticulture Judging seminar, sharing your beautiful home and garden, and for being such gracious host.
GARDEN PARTY
But the party does not stop on the south side of Indianapolis, it just moved to Brownsburg. After a lot of rain, Mother Nature provided a beautiful evening at the home of Teresa and Greg Byington for a pitch-in and self-guided garden tour. We are thankful for the 40 wonderful people that attended, of which four to six were new members.
A trellis loaded with ‘Peggy Martin’ blooms and others covered in ‘New Dawn’ rose and Etoile Violette clematis provided backdrops for Prom-like photo opps. ‘Mother of Pearl’ rose emerged as the Queen of the Prom with spectacular peachy-apricot blooms that were simply stunning. As she strolled down the red carpet, ‘Mother of Pearl’ was photographed like frenzied paparazzi at the Oscars.
There was food galore on the tables, lovely serenity views of a gorgeous rose garden and wonderful friends with great conversation. A perfect ending to a perfect day. Thank you, Greg and Teresa, for sharing your wonderful garden and home.
One thing that strikes me while at the Byington home, you can feel the love. You can feel the love that Teresa has for her roses and garden. You can feel the love that Greg and Teresa have for each other and their family. You can feel the love they share with their friends.
Our year-end celebration was held in John and Donna Hefner’s winter wonderland.
The Hefner’s enjoy decorating for the holidays and have seven theme trees placed throughout their home. It is a festive sight to behold for all to enjoy. We were greeted by a beautiful 10 foot poinsettia tree located beside the fireplace. Various other theme decorated trees include fragrance, snowman, seamstress, Charlie Brown and two red/lime green trees which are strategically located throughout their home. Department 56 village pieces and accessories were located throughout their home adding an additional sense of nostalgia and enchantment. Everyone enjoyed the Italian Fontanini nativity, animals and people as well as the special holiday decorations handmade by Donna that included needlepoint, cross-stitched and quilted art work.
THANK YOU TO THE HEFNER’S!
2019 BOARD INSTALLATION
During the evening our 2019 board was installed. Immediate Past President, Linda Kimmel did the honors.
Teresa Byington, President
Humberto DeLuca, 1st Vice President
Eloisa Garza, 2nd Vice President
Carolyn Lloyd, Secretary
Donna Hefner, Treasurer
Teresa Downham, Newsletter Editor
Congrats to the board! We know we are in good hands!
Linda, also handed out special appreciation awards from our president, Teresa Byington, as she was out of town for her mother-in-law’s funeral.
AWARD OF MERIT
VP Humberto DeLuca, presented the ARS Award of Merit to two members who have served our society above and beyond! Congratulations on your well deserved recognition!
Teresa Downham receiving her AWARD OF MERIT!
Keith Oltean receiving his AWARD OF MERIT!
COMING SOON!
Our board is already busy planning for 2019. Stay tuned for information on our annual rose sale and our meeting restart on Tuesday, March 12 / 6:30 pm at Sullivan Munce Cultural Center in Zionsville. We can’t wait to be together again!
Sullivan Munce
225 West Hawthorne Street
Zionsville, IN 46077
(317) 873-4900
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.
Indianapolis Rose Society 
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