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American Rose Society Newsletter for Local Society Members
March 2015
Sue Tiffany, Publisher: sunshine-n-roses@q.com
Contents
Fertilizer Happens .............. p. 1
President’s Message ........... p. 2
News from ARS ................. p. 3
Gulf District Workshop........ p. 5
Deep South/Carolina WS..... p. 6
Rose Fever ......................... p. 6
Old Garden Roses ............... p. 7
Climate & Choosing Roses ... p. 8
Chicago Flower Show ........ p. 10
Announcements .......... p. 10-12
ARS Links
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 American Rose Society
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If you want even more
great information about
roses, join the ARS!
The National Floral Emblem
of the USA
Proclamation 5574
November 20, 1986
American Rose Society
877 Jefferson Paige Rd.
Shreveport, LA 71119
318.938.5402
Mary Hext, Editor: mhext@outlook.com
Fertilizer Happens . . . By Meg Peterson, Master Rosarian
Yes, this is a
phrase that we’ve
often heard from
family
members,
friends, co-workers
and fellow rosarians
from time to time as
the challenges and
vicissitudes of life
assail us. Two other colorful phrases can
also be heard such as “Fertilizer runs
downhill” and the timeless phrase,
“Fertilizer hits the fan” (A derivative of the
original: "The excrement made physical
contact with a hydro-electric powered
oscillating air current distribution device"). For the most part these are common slang phrases used as a simple existential observation that life is full of imperfections.
All of these utterances have some basis in one of the most important actions
we take with our roses. The first being
water and the second most important
thing we supply our roses with is fertilizer.
Depending on where you live and how
inventive you can be, several things define, limit and determine what you will or
will not use in your garden. There are the
natural fertilizers and the chemical formulations that can be applied to your roses
with a variety of results and expenses.
Let’s take a look at some of the most common forms of fertilizer and discuss their
uses, costs and ultimate result when applied generously to our roses.
Animal wastes such as steer, chicken,
horse and pig once they have been composted are good sources of nitrogen. It is
important to remember that fresh manure is most likely too rich in nitrogen and
in a form that could have the undesired
result of ‘burning’ the roots of the plant
to which it is applied.
Cow or steer manure
is the one most likely
to be found in garden
centers. Most of this
material is harvested
from feed lots where
the uric acid levels
are quite high. Composting of this material ensures that the
smell and acid levels have been abated.
There is always the potential unwanted
side effect in that quite often weed seeds
can also be included and we may notice a
new and unidentified crop of weeds
growing in the rose bed after application
of some manure that hasn’t been effectively composted.
Pigs are more ‘thrifty’ than cows
when it comes to producing usable manure. Unwanted weed seeds have been
through a more thorough digestive process, but it is more likely to impart a very
strong and unwanted ‘fragrance’ to your
garden.
Horse manure has been used for
years by people who have an easy access
to stables. Depending on the type of bedding that is used, you may have to add
additional nitrogen to this fertilizer, especially if wood shavings are used for stall
bedding. It is also important to remember that horse manure can carry tetanus
and anyone working in the garden should
maintain their tetanus immunizations
every ten years (or as recommended by
your doctor).
Chicken manure is also easily available
in rural areas, but this product needs
careful handling and composting is again
essential to avoid burning when applied
to the rose beds.
Rabbit, Guinea pig (continued on p. 4)
Page 2
ARS President’s Message by Jolene Adams
A local rose society often feels like a social “hive” of activity. The interactions of the
members as they make new friends or renew old acquaintances at our meetings helps
promote growth and the feeling of fellowship among us. It actually increases membership
– after all, everyone knows someone who would enjoy coming along with us to a meeting
– and if the members are friendly and outgoing with that new person – the possibility is
there to gain a new member! Likewise, if we reach out and socialize with each other, the lonely or disaffected are
included in the “feeling like family” vibe of the meeting – and they renew their membership.
A cheerful greeting is so important to new visitors who attend for the first time. They feel welcome in our
group and meet people who will become friends, they feel comfortable and ready to enjoy this rose hobby we all
share. You will see an increase in the visitors at your general membership meetings if you have great publicity.
Short articles in the local newspaper (if they will publish for you), the same messages in the newsletters of local
garden clubs, fraternal organizations, senior centers, retirement clubhouses – an excited message about the next
speaker – and an invitation to attend – and then a warm greeting when they show up – many of them will come
back! As you are greeting visitors, describe the positive strokes of belonging to your society, and always have an
application form available. Ask them about the roses in their garden and share how beneficial it is to come to the
lectures to learn more about gardening. You will have made a new friend.
Everyone in a local society has information to share – stories of their younger days and the roses they grew,
news items they read in a new gardening book or magazine, tips and tricks they have used in their gardens or
taught to their friends and neighbors – all of these bring people together. You can hear about something you
haven’t tried and then go ahead and try it knowing that someone is there to guide your steps if you stumble. We
all have a voice in the process of “being” a local rose society. Officers, members, spouses and children – all are
involved in a wonderful hobby that we all share – some more than others; but, nonetheless, we are each immersed in the tending of roses.
Motivating our members to move in a specific direction, to take up a new cause or to decide on when the annual rose show will be held are all things that our leadership is involved in. But the members have a voice in this
process – they need to also become involved and really support the working of the society. We all dissent at one
time or another; but, if we have a good relationship with the rest of the members, we can work it out to our mutual satisfaction. It is important in a local group of disparate experiences that we all respect those differences and
work toward suitable compromises as we talk over the schedules of events or the timing of the garden tours or
the need to come out to the local rose garden and help weed and fertilize the rose beds.
I have often observed that when people feel needed and then appreciated for their effort and input, they are
more agreeable with the majority. Once they feel that their ideas have value and that others respect their opinions, they can accept changes in those ideas and opinions for the greater success of the whole plan.
Be positive, be comfortable with your newer members and be open to new ideas, new ways and new techniques. Marketers often tell us “Try it, you’ll like it!” Maybe we will. And maybe something else will grow out of
it. And, usually, just the act of opening up and trying will bring us more firmly together. So— Try It!
2015 Events at the American Rose Center
Green Thumb Events
4/25
6/6
9/12
Green Thumb Gardening Seminar& Spring
Bloom Celebration
Green Thumb (Subject TBA)
Green Thumb (Subject TBA)
Other Events
3/28 Spring Egg Hunt & Lady Bug Release
5/8
National Public Gardens Day
10/24 Ghouls in the Rose Garden
11/17-12/23 Christmas in Roseland (Fri.,
Sat., Sun. nights only)
Page 3
ARS & YOU
News from ARS Headquarters by Jeff Ware, Executive Director



First 2015 Green Thumb Gardening Seminar is Saturday, February 28, featuring Old Garden Roses with a
Pruning Instruction by Stephen Scanniello, President of Heritage Rose Foundation and Dr. Allen Owings of
Louisiana State Agricultural Center. Lunch will be served and the cost is $5.
The Annual Spring Egg Hunt and Lady Bug Release is set for Saturday, March 28, from 11:00 am to 1:00
pm. Admission is $10 per carload. Come meet the Easter Bunny and get a photo!
Laura Seabaugh will join Susan Fox to represent the American Rose Society during the first weekend of the
Chicago Flower & Garden Show at the Navy Pier in Chicago. The show runs from March 14 through 22. For
the first time ever, the show will feature a beautiful rose garden designed by garden professionals and
stocked with the latest roses from your favorite producers.
James Alexander Gamble Fragrance Medal
The James Alexander Gamble Fragrance Medal is awarded to outstanding new, very
fragrant roses. The selection is made by the ARS Prizes and Awards Committee for the
rose considered the most fragrant in municipal and private gardens throughout the
United States over a five-year period. The rose must be registered and must be rated at
least 7.5. It is not mandatory that a rose be selected yearly for this medal. Awards are
only to be made when an outstanding new fragrant variety is available. The medal is to
be awarded to the hybridizer of the named rose at the Fall Annual Meeting of the
American Rose Society. The Gamble Fragrance Award has only been awarded 21 times
in the past 53 years. Congratulations to the 2014 winner of the James Alexander Gamble Fragrance Award: Tom Carruth, Curator of the Rose Gardens at Huntington Library
for ‘Scentimental’, a rose he hybridized while at Weeks Roses.
‘Scentimental’
Fuerstenberg Prize
The Fuerstenberg prize is funded by an endowment created by the will of Mr. David Fuerstenberg, a rose
lover from Philadelphia, PA, who dictated that the income of the fund shall be awarded from time to time at
the discretion of the American Rose Society for a new rose best suited to American conditions. It can be awarded annually or periodically upon the recommendation of the ARS Prizes & Awards Committee to the originator of any new
rose of American origin suitable to the American climate. To be considered
“new”, the rose must have received its registration within ten years prior to
the award. A cash award of $100 plus a certificate is presented at the spring or
fall Conventions. The 2015 award was presented to David Clemons of Grant,
AL, for 'Joy' bred in 2007 and introduced in 2008.
‘Joy’
Events for Rosarians
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March 6-8: Penn-Jersey Mid-Winter Get-A-Way Weekend, Harrisburg West, PA
March 14-22: Chicago Flower Show —link
March 20-22: Yankee District Rose Convention—Brewster, MA
May 26-June 1: 17th WFRS Convention, Lyon France —link
June 11-14: ARS National Spring Convention and 2015 Miniature/Miniflora Conference,
Columbus, OH —link
 Sept. 10-13: ARS Fall Convention & Rose Show, Syracuse, NY
 Sept. 25-27: Tenarky District Convention & Rose Show, Knoxville, TN —link
 July 29-31, 2016: ARS National Miniature Rose Show & Conference, Harrisburg, PA
‘Belinda’s Dream’
Page 4
ARS & YOU of Interest
Articles
Fertilizer Happens . . . (cont. from p. 1)
and ferret bedding is also a very good source of fertilizer and ferret bedding carries an added bonus in that it is a
natural deterrent to rabbits. Ferrets prey on rabbits in the wild so rabbits would avoid any area that carries the
scent of a ferret.
Since ancient times back as far as the Incas, men have harvested and used Guano. This is a potent combination of
feces and urine droppings from bats, sea birds and seals found in caves and rocky island outcroppings.
Guano consists of ammonia, along with uric, phosphoric, oxalic and carbonic acids, as well as some earth salts
and impurities. Guano also has a high concentration of nitrates and is virtually odorless. In the garden, guano has
several uses such as a soil builder, lawn treatment, fungicide and compost activator to speed up decomposition. It
also has nematicide properties in that decomposing microbes help control nematodes in the soil.
Many gardeners are committed to organic gardening and in this pursuit they compost lawn (grass and leaves)
and garden materials along with kitchen wastes that include both vegetable and fruits. It is not recommended that
meat, bone or other fatty wastes be used in the composting process. Some of the following kitchen waste products
are: Banana peels (puree them in a blender before putting them in the garden to discourage squirrels from digging
up your roses); broken, dry egg shells (they contain potassium and calcium); and coffee grounds (magnesium, potassium and nitrogen).
Depending on availability and inventiveness of the rosarian, you may be inclined to ‘formulate’ your own special
combination of materials for your roses. These products are commonly found at your local farm and garden centers.
It is important to balance the materials that you use so that you have a combination of nitrogen, phosphorus and
potassium (commonly known as NPK) to insure that your roses have a balanced diet in order to produce the best
roses and the healthiest plants.
Some products that are commonly used include bone meal (phosphorus = 0-10-0), kelp meal (1-3-14), blood
meal (12-1-1), alfalfa meal (3-2-2), cottonseed meal (6-2-1), fish meal (5-1-1), gypsum and agricultural and dolomitic
lime. Blood meal has also been known to discourage rabbits from foraging in your rose bed (but dogs love it).
We would be remiss if we didn’t discuss the merits of another organic product that has been used for years by
organic gardeners especially in areas where sugar cane is grown. Bagasse is the voluminous waste product from extracting cane sugar. While Bagasse has a pH of 9.2, it has practically no nitrogen content. It does have important
amounts of iron, manganese, zinc and copper and its coarse, strong, fibrous structure helps build lightness into the
soil and improve air flow. Most sugar mills burn bagasse as their heat source to evaporate water out of the sugary
juice squeezed from the canes. At one time there was far more bagasse produced than the mills needed to burn,
but these days larger, modern mills generate electricity with bagasse and sell their surplus to the local power grid.
Bagasse is also used to make construction fiberboard for sub-wall and insulation and biodegradable paper products.
Depending on your location, size of your garden and proximity to your neighbors, you might like to try Texas Tea.
This is a potent combination of alfalfa meal or pellets in a 50 gallon plastic drum of water. This liquid stimulates
growth, but the odor produced as it steeps can be overpowering.
Another fertilizer that has gained popularity in recent years is an organic nitrogen fertilizer produced by the Milwaukee Metropolitan Sewerage District since the 1940s and 1950s. It is processed sludge from their wastewater
treatment plant and is made from treated bio-solids. While it is sold as a homeowner and golf course fertilizer, it
most likely is not recommended for edible crops for the obvious reason that it is made from human wastes that
have gone through an extensive composting process.
Last but not least is the humble servant in the organic fertilizer arena, the earthworm. Whatever the earthworm
eats is transformed into organic fertilizer. The worm excretions or ‘castings’ in vermiculture are rich in organic nitrates, phosphates and potash. (NPK=12-5-3). Castings improve the physical soil structure, enrich the soil with micro
-organisms, improve water retention, seed germination and root growth and plant structures. Not bad for a little
guy!
2015 ARS Combined Spring National & Mini-National Conference & Rose Show
June 11-14—Columbus, OH
Sponsored by Central Ohio Rose Societies
click here for information
ARS & YOU
Page 5
Gulf District Mid-Winter Workshop February 6-7, 2015, Gonzales, LA
By Gulf District Director Allen Owings & Central Louisiana Rose Society Editor Billie Flynn
Eighty-six enthusiastic Gulf District participants were instructed by knowledgeable rose experts such as Heritage
Rose Foundation representative Peggy Martin; Nashville
Rose Society hybrid tea growers Don and Paula Adlong;
Golden Triangle Hybridizer Tommy Hebert; ARS Region 7
Director Baxter Williams; Acadiana sustainable rose grower
B. J. Abshire; and Old Garden Rose advocate Claude Graves.
Ed Bush and Ron Strahan from the Louisiana State University (LSU) AgCenter provided rose
nutrition and landscape bed herbiGulf District Director Allen Owings with hybridizer
cide information. A special presenAndrew Barocco and Grandmother Judy Hurry
tation was made by Andrew Barocand LSU AgCenter Horticulturist Ed Bush
co, an undergraduate horticulture
student at LSU who has been breeding roses for four years. It
was a tight format, but everyone enjoyed the talks and several
continuing education units for consulting rosarians were approved. Gulf District members also enjoyed the company of
ARS Vice Presidential candidate Sam Jones and his wife Nancy.
The Gulf District board approved a contribution to the ARS
Baxter Williams
Patron Fund for 2015 and elected Judy Mayo as national nominating committee representative for 2015-2018. Jim and Daisy Mills from K and M Rose Nursery in Mississippi
sold roses and provided potted roses as great door prizes. The workshop silent auction
raised over $700. The Acadiana Rose Society will host the 2016 Gulf District Mid-Winter
in Lafayette, LA.
Central Louisiana Rose Society is hosting the Gulf District Rose Show Saturday April
18, 2015 in Pineville. They are trying some new ideas for the rose show with several
new categories — one being a table for Display Only with no judging, no ribbons and no
excuse not to show your roses. Another new category will be the Gulf District Rose of
the Year category. 'Belinda’s Dream' is the inaugural selection. New selections will be
added each year.
Congratulations to all Gulf District members who received recognition at the MidWinter Workshop.
Central Louisiana Rose Society Past President
Robert Strickland (left) and President Kelly Texada
(right) presented the 2014 Bronze Honor Medal to
CenLA Rose Society member Billie Flynn (center)
Baton Rouge Rose Society
Carolyn DeRouen (left) was
presented the Gulf District
Outstanding Consulting Rosarian
Award by Baton Rouge CR Chair
Fran Falcon (right)
New ARS Master Rosarians
Fran Fabon & Carolyn DeRouen
Baton Rouge Rose Society (top)
Marie & Clyde Bartlett Central
LA Rose Society (center)
Flo & Frank Hover Northeast LA
Rose Society (bottom)
Articles of Interest
Page 6
Deep South/Carolina Districts Mid-Winter Workshop by Jack Page
Savannah, Georgia was the setting for this year’s combined Deep South/
Carolina District Mid-Winter Meeting. Held January 9-11 at the Hilton Savannah, the event was kicked off on Friday with an Arrangement Seminar and
then a trolley tour of the beautifully landscaped parks and squares which have
made the city famous. After a welcome dinner and social hour, both districts
mingled and helped themselves to dessert in the hospitality suite!
On Saturday, attendees heard presentations on the growing use of social
media as a way to reach new society members, along with the latest findings
and studies associated with Rose Rosette Disease.
There is a bit of good news in the battle with this disease! Sandy Lundberg
was featured again this year with her entertaining and informative presentation on the latest roses available: “Sandy’s Picks.”
The afternoon rounded out with a Candidates Forum where potential candidates from the upcoming ARS Triennial Election this summer were given the
chance to “campaign” for votes! At this writing, the position for Carolina District Regional Director is uncontested with Jay Hiers being the only candidate.
Silver Honor Medal Recipient
There are two candidates for the Carolina District Director: Richard Donovan
Linda
Boland Augusta Rose Society
and Don Myers. Dr. Sam Jones and Bob Martin are the two candidates running
for ARS Vice President. Per ARS bylaws, the Vice President will become the next ARS President after the current
president’s term expires.
At the banquet on Saturday night, Linda Boland received the Silver Honor Medal. Linda has been past president of the Augusta Rose Society, and has received numerous awards including the Bronze Honor Medal from the
Augusta Rose Society as well as the Carolina District Outstanding Judge award.
Editor’s Note: This article appeared in the February 2015 issue of Rowan Rambling Rosarian, the newsletter of
the Rowan Rose Society, Rowan county , NC, Jack Page, ed., and is used with permission. More information about
this workshop will be in the next issue of ARS & You.
Rose Fever
For the last 42 years, I get rose fever every spring with no hope for a cure.
But the other side of the coin is the heartfelt joy at seeing the first spring roses: the excitement at seeing the first blooms of a newly planted variety.
Then, there are the rose people that become friends through the years at the
places you get to visit that you never thought you would. The wonderful feeling you get when you share the beauty of the rose. Exhibiting is the icing on
the cake. The thrill that goes with success and the lessons that go with failure
always awaken the spirit. You know, when you no longer have a reason to
get up in the morning, it’s time to lie down and die. Rosarians always have a
reason to get up each day, don't we?
Louise Coleman
ARS & YOU
Page 7
Old Garden Roses are Roses, too! ‘Francis Dubreuil’ by Kathy Shaw
One of the rose attributes that I highly value is fragrance. Who doesn’t,
once they see a rose up close, put it up to one’s nose to smell the fragrance? And, if there isn’t a fragrance, we feel a bit let down. If I’ve seen it
once, I’ve seen it a hundred times. Recently a physical therapist that I presented a few roses to went so far as to say that if a rose doesn’t have a fragrance, then “what’s the point”? Well, I wouldn’t go that far. But I must say
that when I am looking for another rose bush to purchase, I eyeball the
“fragrance” attribute very closely before deciding if I want it.
One of the most fragrant OGR roses is ‘Francis Dubreuil’. It is a beautiful
dark velvety crimson red tea rose. Besides having a deep red color which is
prized among tea rose lovers, it also has a damask fragrance that is intoxi‘Francis Dubreuil’
cating.
Tea roses were first developed in China. They made their way to Europe in the early 1800s. They are large, open–
growing plants. Flowers are often produced in clusters on fragile stems. Teas re-bloom continuously.
I first read about ‘Francis Dubreuil’ in 100 Old Roses for the American Garden by Clair Martin and decided this was
a rose I had to have. It is a dark red – my favorite rose color --and has an incredible damask fragrance to go with it. I
went looking and found the rose a few years ago close to home—at Roses Unlimited in Laurens, SC.
It is a shrub reaching only about 3 feet tall. The foliage is dark green and new canes are thin and wiry. It prefers a
warm climate so it’s happy in South Carolina. The bud seems to appear quickly, but it blooms out slowly. Once cut
and brought into the house, the rose’s fragrance fills a room, although the flowers don’t last nearly as long as many
hybrid teas. However, this doesn’t matter. It is enough of a reward to enjoy the short life of this rose when it’s cut and
in a vase.
Francis Dubreuil was a tailor in Lyon, France who dabbled in rose breeding and named this cultivar that he hybridized for himself in 1894. He was also the grandfather of Francis Meilland who hybridized a famous rose in 1935 that
was introduced in France as ‘Mme A. Meilland’ in 1942 and in the US as ‘Peace’ in 1945.
So there you have it – beautiful color, sweet fragrance and a little bit of history! All rolled into one stunning and
delightful tea rose. Try it!
Editor’s Note: This article written by Kathy Shaw, a member of the Greater Columbia Rose Society in SC, appeared
in the December 2014 issue of The Rambling Rose, Kathy Shaw, ed.
Publisher’s Note: Do you ever wonder about famous rose families? I enjoy rose genealogy as much as I enjoy
searching for my own ancestors. Kathy Shaw’s article piqued my curiosity and I wrote to Matthias Meilland—author of
the ARS & You January cover story about the ‘Peace’ rose. He sent me back this genealogy of the Meilland Family of
Roses:
 Joseph Rambaux (1820 -1878) + Veuve Rambaux (dates unknown) –
Breeder of ‘Perle d’Or’
 Francis Dubreuil (1842 -??) + Marie Rambaux (1850 -??) - Breeder of
‘Crépuscule’ and ‘Francis Dubreuil’
 Antoine (AKA Papa) Meilland (1884-1971) + Claudia Dubreuil
 Francis Meilland (1912-1958) + Marie-Louise (called Manou) Paolino (1920-1987) - Breeders of ‘Peace’, ‘Papa Meilland’®, ‘Bonica’®,
‘Eden Rose’® and many more.
Still active actively hybridizing roses are:
 Alain Meilland (1940) + Michèle Meilland (1943) - (Breeders of
‘Francis Meilland’®, the ‘Drift’® series of roses and many more.)
 Matthias Meilland—Son of Alain--Spokesperson of the House of
‘Francis Dubreuil’
Meilland who provided the above information.
Page 8
Articles of Interest
Climate and Choosing the Right Rose by Robyn Wilkerson, Master Rosarian
Quite often there is a statement or phrase that is supposed to be common knowledge; but, in reality, is not.
Such is the case of the phrase ‘hardy in our climate.’ Such a simple phrase – but where did it come from and what
does it mean? According to Webster’s New Collegiate Dictionary hardy means ‘capable of living outdoors over winter without artificial protection or of withstanding other adverse conditions.’ For plants, this is a simple statement
that comes with a deep background.
First, there is a ‘hardiness zone’. Wikipedia.org tells us that a hardiness zone is a geographically defined area in
which a specific category of plant life is capable of growing, as defined by climatic conditions, including its ability to
withstand the minimum temperatures of the zone. Many factors will influence which plants will thrive in a given
location. Heat, cold and elevation are just a few that can have an impact.
The USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map and the AHS Plant Heat Zone Map
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Plant Hardiness Zone Map is used to find the zone in which you live
and determine what plants will "winter over" in your garden and survive. The map was first published in 1960 and
updated in 1990. In 2012, the USDA updated the map with newer data and increased technologies. Using the USDA
Web site, you can now access an interactive planting zone map that lets you zoom into an area and view changes in
Zones by half-mile increments.
The 2012 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map is the standard by which gardeners and growers can determine which
plants are most likely to thrive at a location. The map is based on the average annual minimum winter temperature,
divided into 10-degree Fahrenheit zones. The USDA Hardiness Zones are informative: the extremes of winter cold
are a major determinant of whether a plant species can be cultivated outdoors at a particular location. However,
they have a number of drawbacks if used without supplementary information. The hardiness zones do not incorporate summer heat levels into the zone determination. Thus, sites which may have the same mean winter minima,
but markedly different summer temperature, will be accorded the same hardiness zone.
The American Horticultural Society (AHS) developed the Plant Heat Zone Map to address geographic heat ranges. AHS Heat Zones have the same concept as USDA Hardiness Zones with a zone range from Zone 1 —areas with
fewer than one “heat day” per year—to Zone 12, which are locations that have more than 210 heat days each year.
A heat day is a day with temperatures about 86 °F. A plant rated to Heat Zones 6–9, for example, can take the heat
of summer in those zones, but would suffer in summers colder or hotter. With the rising concern of increasing temperatures, AHS Plant Heat Zones are becoming equally as important to gardeners as USDA Hardiness Zones.
(Horticulture Aug. 19, 2013.) The author’s area is defined at Heat Zone 6 – 45 to 60 days above 86°F per year.
Climate Zones
There is also the consideration of actual climate: length of growing season, timing and amount of rainfall, winter
lows, summer highs, wind and humidity. Sunset's climate zone maps take all these factors into account, unlike the
USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map which is based strictly on winter lows or the AHS Plant Heat Zone Map which is
based on summer high temperatures U.S. Climate Zone Maps.
According to the Sunset climate zone map we are in US Climate Zone 35 which includes the Ouachita Mountains,
Northern Oklahoma and Arkansas, Southern Kansas to North-Central Kentucky and Southern Ohio. Growing season:
late April to late Oct. and rain comes in all seasons. In Climate Zone 35 the climate has hot, humid summers (with
highs from 103° to 114°F/39° to 46°C) and winters with typical lows of 19° to 24°F/–7° to –4° C. When arctic air
masses come through every few years, however, temperatures may drop as low as –20° F/–29° C.
One of the most widely used climate classifications for world climate is the Köppen Climate Classification introduced in 1900 by the Russian-German climatologist Wladimir Köppen. Köppen divided the Earth's surface into climatic regions that generally coincided with world patterns of vegetation and soils (Köppen Climate Classification).
The Köppen system recognizes five major climate types based on the annual and monthly averages of temperature and precipitation. Each type is designated by a capital letter; lower case letters follow to further define the climate. The St. Louis area is designated as Dfa. (Wikipedia.org) The Köppen system designation code letters mean our
climate is: D – the Continental Climates found 7 in the interior regions of large land masses, total precipitation is
not very high and seasonal temperatures vary widely, f – Moist with adequate precipitation in all months and no
(continued on p. 9)
ARS & YOU
Page 9
Climate and Choosing the Right Rose (continued from p. 8)
dry season, and a - Hot summers where the warmest month is over 22°C (72°F). (Strahler, Arthur N., Strahler, Arthur H., Elements of Physical Geography. John Wiley & Sons, 1984.)
We can also put in the mix microclimates. Local terrain can sharply modify the climate within any zone. Southfacing slopes get more solar heat than flat land and north-facing slopes. Slope also affects airflow: warm air rises,
cold air sinks. Because hillsides are never as cold in winter as the hilltops above them or the ground below them,
they’re called thermal belts. Lowland areas into which cold air flows are called cold-air basins.
Microclimates also exist within every garden. All else being equal, garden beds on the south side of an eastwest wall, for example, will be much warmer than garden beds on the north side of the same wall.
Hardy roses
Knowing our heat zone and climate assists tremendously when selecting roses. Entire classes of roses are typically (although not exclusively) tender in our climate and require special care such as potting and overwintering in
an enclosed space. Conversely, other classes of roses are so hardy that they thrive without any protection whatsoever. Teas (not Hybrid Teas) and Chinas are considered “tender” while Albas, Gallicas and Damasks are hardy.
When classes are formed through hybridization, however hardiness needs to be investigated. Are all Hybrid Teas
tender? Certainly not. But while ‘Mister Lincoln’ thrives here ‘Color Magic’ does not. Can Floribundas be tender?
Yes. ‘Angel Face’ will need special protection, but ‘Julia Child’ will do fine with little or no winter precautions.
On the other hand, some roses have been bred for hardiness. Griffith Buck of Iowa State College hybridized
roses that would survive long, cold winters and hot, humid summers. Crosses with commercial Hybrid Teas and
Floribundas (not hardy in Iowa) enabled Buck to introduce vigorous, hardy bushes with large, handsome, richly
colored flowers. He introduced 88 roses, of which 60 are still grown. Buck’s roses flourish in temperate and hot
climates.
The Canadian government has been committed to breeding plants that will survive and flourish in the bitter
climate of its inland provinces. Super-hardy hybrids have been issued from Department of Agriculture research
stations in Manitoba and Quebec, and promoted as Explorer and Parkland roses. They are hardy down to -31°F (35°C) with natural snow protection – but are also required to be disease resistant, repeat flowering, and easy to
grow in Canadian conditions.
Choosing a rose for our gardens requires some work to find out if it is going to grow well in our climate. USDA
Hardiness Zone tolerance is available – if you look for it. Heat Zone and Climate map designation is not. To find
cold tolerance investigate in several different ways. Straightforward information as designated on a label or a description can be found occasionally. More often looking at or asking from some different sources can lead you to
a good conclusion. For example, Hardiness Zone information is given if you look for a rose on helpmefind.com/
roses or online for American Rose Society Members at Modern Roses 12. If a rose if listed as hardy in Zone 7b it
will usually be hardy here in Zone 6a with winter protection. Roses in Review for the Central District will be relevant for Hardiness Zones 6a and 6b. If any rose is hardy in Zones with lower numbers than Zone 6a it will be hardy in our zone. Some nursery catalogs list specific Hardiness Zone numbers with descriptions of the roses.
Less straightforward information comes from catalog descriptions that list the rose as “hardy” or “tender”.
While the information is helpful, always take into consideration the location of the nursery. As we know, the
terms “tender” and “hardy” are relevant to local climate and microclimate. The catalog could be written pertinent to local climate or in general terms. When deciding whether to use nursery catalog information look at the
Hardiness Zone map and see if the location of the nursery is in a zone colder, warmer or the same as yours. If it is
the same or colder, then the information can be useful. If the nursery is in a warmer zone, more investigation
needs to be done. As always, ask Consulting Rosarians for advice – they can refer you to sources for information if
they don’t have it on hand or do not have first-hand experience.
Sources: American Horticultural Society; Better Homes and Gardens; National Gardening Association; QuestRitson, Charles and Brigid, The American Rose Society Encyclopedia of Roses (2003); Sunset.org (Sunset Magazine); US Department of Agriculture; Wikipedia.org.
Page 10
Bright Ideas for Rosarians
ARS member Susan Fox
with Tim Wood of Star Roses
Hello!
You have been invited by Susan Fox
to sign up for Chicago Flower & Garden Show | Volunteer Rosarians Docents. Six volunteer rosarians are
needed each day of the show from
March 14-22. Please click on the link
below to view the online sign up
sheet.
will be speaking about
Landscaping with Roses (March 14)
and
Miniature Roses: Hot New Color Spots
for your Garden (March 21)
ARS members Richard Anthony &
Brenna Bosch from For Love of Roses
will be speaking about
Growing Miniature Roses in Containers
To sign up, click here.
(March 20)
at the
Chicago Flower & Garden Show
March 14 - March 22
For Love of Roses
Star Roses
Weeks Roses
will be contributing roses
for a garden display
Click here for information
Links for Rose Lovers
Blogs for Rose Lovers
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Garden Web
RoseShow.com
Rose Gardening World
The Garden Diary
Integrated Pest Management of Roses
Rose Chat Radio
Integrated Pest Management
Rose Hybridizers Association
World Federation of Rose Societies
Heritage Rose Foundation
The Heritage Roses Group
Help Me Find-Roses
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Redneck Rosarian
A Rose is a Rose
HedgerowRose
If Only Sweat Were Irrigation
The Graceful Gardner
Organic Garden Dreams
Dirt Diaries
Gaga’s Garden
The Minnesota Rose Gardener
Inside the Rosarians Garden
Planters Place
Fine Gardening
‘Elina’
Page 11
ARS & YOU
“One of the healthiest ways to
gamble is with a spade and a package of
garden seeds.”
Need to update your email address
to ARS & You . . . .
@
Click Here
Join the ARS
for just $10 for a
4-Month Trial Membership
The American Rose Society is offering a fourmonth trial membership for only $10 to anyone
who is interested in becoming a member of our
organization. Most ARS members are home gardeners who enjoy growing roses and want to expand their knowledge of rose culture.
Four-Month Trial Members receive:
 Free advice from Consulting Rosarians.
 Free or reduced garden admissions, a $25 value
after just three uses.
 Free online access to five quarterly bulletins, a
$45 value.
 Two issues of American Rose magazine, a $16
value. View a free issue online at www.ars.org.
 Discounts of up to 30% at merchant partners.
A 4-month trial membership is valued
at $86 for only $10!
Join Now!
You may complete the online form
or call us at 1-800-637-6534.
Bright Ideas for Rosarians
The president of the Central Louisiana Rose
Society, Kelly Texada, proposed adding two
new segments to the monthly rose meeting
agenda.
 “This Month in the Garden” is time for a
member to briefly review what he/she is
doing in the garden that month.
 “Rose Garden Question Time” is time
allowed for members to ask any questions concerning their garden. The questions would be answered by a panel of
experienced rosarians.
At the January meeting, Consulting Rosarian Chair Clyde Bartlett introduced “This Month
in the Garden” by giving a brief lesson demonstrating sharpening pruners. “Rose Garden
Question Time” began in February setting aside
time for members to ask questions and have
the questions answered. Members are asked
to bring their garden questions to each
meeting. As the questions are answered, all
members are able to learn more about growing beautiful roses.
This item appeared in the February 2015 of
Rosebuds, the newsletter of the Central LA
Rose Society, editor Billie Flynn, and is used
with permission..
DID YOU KNOW . . .
If you don't belong to a local society you
can find the one closest to you on the ARS
website. If you don't belong to ARS, you can
join from the ARS website with a credit card.
Page 12
ARS & YOU
ARS & YOU EMAIL LIST
If members of your society (with an email address) are
not receiving ARS & You, send us their email address
and we will add them to our distribution list.
This monthly e-newsletter is sent ‘by permission’ to all
ARS members, local rose society members and other
rosarians who have subscribed to or requested the
publication. You may unsubscribe at any time by clicking 'unsubscribe' at the bottom of the newsletter email.
[ARS & You Archives]
ARS is a 501(c)(3)
incorporated
in
Louisiana and our
tax exemption nonprofit educational
status covers each
of our local society
affiliates.
Please consider making a
donation to the American
Rose Society. Gifts to the
ARS are tax deductible as
allowed by law. The ARS
is grateful for every gift,
no matter the size.
DONATE TO ARS
Photo Credits
Drawing p. 1 ..............Jeff Bucchino—www.cartoonclipart.com
Adams photo p. 2 ................................. Susan Brandt Graham
Rose award photos p. 3 ........................ Rich Baer & Suni Bolar
Rose photo p. 3 ................................................. Kelly Texada
Photos p. 5 ........................................................... Billie Flynn
Photos p. 7 ..................................... Kathy Shaw & Sue Tiffany
Rose photo p. 10..................................................... Rich Baer
Corner rose photos ’Spring’s a Comin’’ Courtesy of Dr. T. Cairns
Clipart p. 1 ........................................... www.123tagged.com
Clipart p. 6 ................................................... Microsoft Office
Clipart p. 12 ......................................................... Mary Hext
ARS Mission Statement
The American Rose Society exists to promote the
culture and appreciation of the rose, through education and research, to members, to local rose societies and their members, and to the public.
ARS & You is a monthly publication whose purpose is to report news related to the ARS and publish articles of interest to
rose growers and exhibitors. Opinions expressed in the articles are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the
editor or the ARS. While the advice and information in each newsletter is believed to be true and accurate, neither the authors, editor, publisher nor the ARS can accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions should there be any that
have been made. The ARS makes no warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the material contained herein. Articles
from this publication may be freely disseminated in local rose society and garden clubs publications. To respond to items in
this issue of ARS & You, please write to any committee member of the:
ARS Local Society Relations Committee
Sue Tiffany, Chair & ARS & You Publisher
Mary A. Hext, ARS & You Editor
Janet Bryant, Editors’ Outreach & Newsletter Exchange
Roman Kwarcinski, Presidents’ Blog
Guinevere Mee, Presidents’ Blog
Charles Shaner, Asst. Editor
Pat Shanley, ARS VP & Chair ARS Marketing Committee
Diane Sommers, ARS Membership Committee Liaison
Dave Stever, Special Projects
Roger Willeghems, Coord. International ARS Members
Pacific NW
Tenarky
Pacific NW
Great Lakes
Pacific NW
Colonial
New York
North Central
New York
Belgium
sunshine-n-roses@q.com
mahext@outlook.com
janetsbliss@hotmail.com
rosered251@yahoo.com
guinevere007@gmail.com
clshaner@yahoo.com
pshanley@aol.com
dianesommers@wi.rr.com
greenrosedave@aol.com
rwilleghems@skynet.be
253-631-0312
270-781-8171
509-627-2687
248-977-4045
509-466-4205
540-294-2875
516-458-9148
262-853-0745
315-457-4729
Your comments and suggestions to improve this newsletter are always welcome. Please share your ideas and articles
for possible inclusion in ARS & You.
American Rose Society
Mary A. Hext, Editor – mahext@outlook.com
8877 Jefferson Paige Rd.
Shreveport, LA 71119
318.938.5402