For our January meeting we will stay snug in our homes, take advantage of the magic of Zoom and be enveloped in the world of rose fragrance!
Tues, January 13 , 6:30 pm / EST
PROGRAM: Fragrance in Roses SPEAKER: Carolyn Elgar
Carolyn Elgar is the editor of the multi-award winning Orange County Rose Society newsletter, the Rose Gazette. She has also had several articles published in the ARS American Rose magazine.
Carolyn will share with us the history of rose fragrance and talk about roses that are noted for their fragrance as well as factors that influence the release of rose fragrance. Bonus… her presentation will include beautiful pictures of roses while our roses are sleeping!
Those who attended the ILL/ IND Fall District Meeting had the pleasure of hearing Carolyn speak via Zoom and really enjoyed her!
Grab some hot chocolate, tea or a glass of wine and make plans to join us in the new year — invite friends too. They can join us from wherever they are via their phones, tablets or computers.
ZOOM SIGN IN DETAILS: Coming soon – check back closer to meeting time!
COMING SOON – 2026 ROSE SALE LIST
Be on the look out for the release of the 2026 ROSE SALE LIST! REMEMBER, first come / first serve for these amazing roses. This information will also be in our member newsletter.
MEMBERSHIP
Start 2026 out by becoming a member or renewing your membership. For details on why and how to do that …. click HERE.
HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON
We wish you a very happy holiday season and look forward to all things rose in 2026!
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!
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!
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!
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 in the second half of our year but we are not slowing down. From the look at the schedule (read here), we are heating up! So much fun to have and so much to learn!
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
We will end our evening with the ever popular Round Table Discussion. All of us are dealing with extreme heat, so let’s talk about it! Mark, Teresa and John will facilitate, but we all need to contribute for the greatest learning!
Remember, our meetings are open to the public and everyone is invited. Bring your friends, and your notepad and let’s go to propagation school!
YOU CAN HELP!
Please share this imagine on your social media pages and help us spread the word.
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.
“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!
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.
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.
Indianapolis Rose Society 