Nashville Rose Leaf
Official Publication of The Nashville Rose Society Serving Rose Enthusiasts Throughout Middle Tennessee MAY 2010
Affiliated with the American Rose Society - www.ars.org
Volume Vl 44 44, IIssue 4
May 10th NRS Meeting - Ellington Agricultural Center 6:30 pm - Refreshments & Silent Auction 7:00 pm - Lynne Wallman & Old Garden Roses
Photo courtesy of Weeks Roses
By: Starla Harding
I’m a bit embarrassed to admit that my earliest understanding of Memorial Day focused on those cute plastic poppy flowers that I always begged my mother to “buy” for me every Memorial Day. I did not then know that the red poppy was chosen to memorialize the blood of heroes which “never dies” and that proceeds from the sale of these handmade poppies often benefited widows and orphans of fallen servicemen. As frugal as my mother could be, she seldom refused the opportunity to buy these symbolic poppies and I often pondered her spendthrift manner in this regard. More decades later than I care to reveal, my understanding of the holiday has changed as has the flower I now associate with the day… a breathtaking, orchid pink rose befittingly named Memorial Day. Leave it to famous hybridizer Tom Carruth who, by crossing Blueberry Hill x New Zealand, created a rose most worthy of symbolizing the holiday that is marked for honoring those who gave their lives in service to our nation. While nothing could ever replace the lives of those who died for our country, there is not much more you could ask for from the rose that honors their memory. (Cont’d on Page 2)
Jackson & Perkins Honors Nashville Symphony With CRESCENDO Rose By: Sam Jones
Country Music Legends Unveil Latest Addition to Nashville Music Garden Country music legends Brenda Lee, Barbara Mandrell and Pam Tillis along with Debbie and Keith Zary, (pictured above), unveiled Jackson & Perkins’ new “Symphony Rose,” aptly named Crescendo, on March 24th in a star-studded media event held at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center’s Martha Rivers Ingram Garden Courtyard. Inspired by the Nashville Symphony, and becoming the first rose honoring a specific symphony orchestra, Crescendo is the latest addition to Music City’s Nashville Music Garden. The event included remarks by the three celebrity guests, all of whom have been honored with their own roses displayed in the garden. Pat Bullard, a LifeWorks trustee and founder of the Nashville Music Garden, along with the Nashville Rose Society, approached Jackson & Perkins with their desire to honor the Nashville Symphony, which is regarded as one of the most creative and innovative orchestras in the nation today. The (Cont’d on Page 5)
Photo courtesy of Katherine Bombay
May Rose of the Month Memorial Day - A Sweet Remembrance
President’s Column
Editor’s Desk
That spring that we have waited for so long is finally here; now let the fun (begin or work) however you see it.
Rose growers experience a “spring fever” that is all their own. Perhaps because forever ago many of us received rose-related Christmas gifts that we have waited entirely too long to play with them. I simply love the feel (and look) of a new pair of Bionic Gauntlet gloves which have become one of Jim’s standard gifts to me. (He does not require a new pair each year which I feel is indicative of who does the most work).
The pruning should be done, the new leaves peeking out and maybe even some miniatures starting to bloom. It’s a great time. Remember, an ounce of prevention, (time for that dirty word) regular spraying should have already started. Blackspot is a lot easier to prevent than it is to cure. Another exciting happening since the last newsletter is the debut of the only rose in the world named in honor of a symphony orchestra, the beautiful Crescendo from J&P, named for our own Nashville Symphony. There is a lot more about that in the newsletter. At this writing, there are still a few left at Creekside Garden Center, 106 Harding Pl. Phone 615-356-2201. This rose will not be available to the general public until 2011. Here’s your chance to be ahead of the pack. Circle May 22, on your calendar. That is the date of the first rose show in the area this year, at Bowling Green. Always a fun show, and the folks at Bowling Green always support our show, and several members of that society are also members here. If you have been thinking about entering a show, this is a close and fun show to do it. It’s always a great time there. The show schedule is available at www.tenarky.org. Don’t forget, the next meeting is on a special day at a special place, Monday, May 10th at Ellington Agricultural Center. Be sure to attend this meeting, a very educational and entertaining program on Old Garden Roses by our own Lynne Wallman, as well as a lot of talk about enjoying and learning about roses. See you there. This will be the first meeting to show off our new vases decorated with roses from our gardens. Admit it, we all like to show off our roses, and this is the perfect opportunity to show ours and see other varieties that we might like to have in our gardens. Come on out and show off.
I do so love these gloves but I cannot for the life of me understand why they decided that white was a suitable color for something that would immediately be exposed to dirt. It’s not that I expect my gloves to remain pristine enough to later don for tea-sipping, but it doesn’t take five minutes for my new gloves to look as “seasoned” as last year’s pair. They no more belong in a garden than crisp white sneakers (and you can verify this with Leann Barron). In order to better preserve that “new glove look” this year, I decided to use an alternate pair of cheap wrist-cut gloves for uncovering winter protection while saving my white gauntlets for pruning only. I did not anticipate how excited I would be about my reunion with the roses and, therefore, how many times I would forget to change my gloves. The roses seldom forgot to remind me. Much to my amusement, I was not the only person to show up to last month’s meeting looking as if I had recently attempted to bathe an angry cat. I even noticed several of you comparing your battle wounds and as the night progressed, I came to understand that we are actually proud of our scratches this time of year. Other types of gardeners may break a little sweat or, at best, experience a mild discomfort in the lower back, but how does that compare to rose growers who are willing to spill a little blood towards their dedicated hobby? For those of you who showed up to last month’s meeting “scratch-free” I will have to assume that either you didn’t prune yet, or you, like my husband, have zero problem with dirty white gauntlets.
See you at Ellington. — Larry Baird NASHVILLE ROSE LEAF, MAY 2010
— Starla & Jim Harding 2
Memorial Day
(Cont’d from Page 1)
It possesses almost every quality desired by many an avid rose-grower. Its beautiful, very double blooms (upwards of 50 petals) repeat in flushes throughout the season and are typically borne singly on long stems with few thorns amidst its medium green foliage. The bloom form is considered oldfashioned and, as if that is not enough, the rose is also known for its intense damask fragrance. Memorial Day was first introduced by Weeks Roses in 2004 and won an All America Rose Selection award the same year. It is certainly well-deserving of its 7.7 ARS rating and an overwhelming majority of rose growers who rate roses on web-sites gave this rose the highest rating of “excellent.” Jim and I enjoy great success in growing Memorial Day and we currently own two. The holiday known today as Memorial Day was originally called Decoration Day which seems relevant to mention since I can personally attest to the decorative nature of this rose. While I could never replace my childhood memories of plastic red poppies, perspectives change when we grow older as do our corresponding traditions. As for me, I have decided to take a moment this Memorial Day to take in the fragrance of the rose named for this important day of remembrance. There, I will reflect on the reason my mother bought too many red poppies. I am now as grateful as she must have been that God allowed my own father to return safely home from the jungles of Viet Nam. While I will always acquaint this rose with a spirit of gratitude for the many memories I have been allowed with my dad, a greater sense of gratitude and respect remains for the countless others who were not nearly so fortunate. To them, I pray that the scent and spirit of Memorial Day brings with it the sweet reminder that memories never die.
NRS Patrons Our thanks to the following businesses and foundations who have made sustaining donations to support the educational programs of Nashville Rose Society:
Houghland Foundation
“Phoenix Rising”
No one could have imagined it would happen but it did, during Easter week, in the blink of a horrified neighborhood’s collective eyes. Our next-door neighbor’s lovely, historic home burned. Despite the heroic efforts of an army of firemen and 15 fire trucks, hands-on friends, neighbors, and untold thousands of gallons of water, it was essentially gutted. Fortunately, no one in the family was injured, but it was a huge loss. Happily, the family will be able to rebuild their 3-story mansion, though much of the original structure was destroyed. As most spring days do, the morning began uneventfully. I washed my face and peered into the Magic Mirror. Me: “Who’s the fairest of them all?” Magic Mirror: “Ewww, Upon thine eye, I spy a big nasty stye.” I hate the Magic Mirror. Groan. The discovery made me cranky, but it was nothing that a pair of clown sunglasses couldn’t hide.
Wildly gusting winds helped me and my trusty yard man spread 100+ bags of mulch. Planting roses, we had sneezing fits, thanks to this potent Air-Borne-Particle lung cocktail. After we called it a day, I remained in the garden, sneezing, thinking and planning. Suddenly, out of the corner of my stye-free eye, I noticed a plume of smoke drifting above the trees next door, with subsequent shouting. I ran across the street and saw more than a little smoke seeping from the house’s old cedar shake siding. My neighbor was frantically trying to quench it with
her garden hose. The wind was picking up. This was not good. Old houses are tinderboxes, and this one was no exception. Chaos erupted with the fire: neighbors, firefighters, police officers, photographers, gawkers and local TV news crews all converged at once. The next few hours were a blur of billowing toxic smoke, leaping flames, frantic attempts to save possessions, breaking windows, huge fire hoses, TV remote trucks parked in our driveway, unhappy dogs, crying neighbors, concerned friends. At once dramatically real and surreal, this was a monumental, historic fire. Under the steady glow of a full moon, the neighbors finally stumbled home, numb with exhaustion. My eyes stung, the pesky stye was now huge, and we were coughing from inhaling toxic smoke. If my husband and I felt this badly, I could only shudder at how awful our neighbors must feel. After showering off the stench and soot and roofing particles, we fell into in an uneasy, dreamless le sleep, humbled and awed aw by mighty power of fire. When trouble rears its W head, as it inevitably he does do in life, a person’s true tru strength of character ac is exposed. Our next-door neighbors ne had ha not come undone by life’s heavy blow, and an didn’t even take time tim off to recover, but immediately started the im arduous task of cleanup and rebuilding. We awoke the next day to the hum of delivery trucks next door, unloading dumpsters, hauling huge cranes, depositing portable storage units and work crews. Blue skies, and bumblebees danced in the Yoshino cherry blossoms. Strong winds continued, but the air hung heavy with that unique, acrid smell of a fire’s aftermath. This courageous family exhibited an uncommon grace in adversity, facing the future headon, even though they’d been left temporarily homeless, exposed and vulnerable. What an inspiration and encouragement to their friends, family, and yes, even to the 3
by: leann barron entire neighborhood. We marveled at their strength. It was a life lesson for us all. There was a blizzard of morning activity: rattled neighbors emerged from their homes, congregating on the streets and sidewalks to share their experiences. Literally hundreds of cars drove by to see for themselves the damage they’d viewed on the evening news. There would be no gardening today, but I did indulge myself with the solitude of my daily garden walk-through. This morning’s stroll brought back the comparatively irrelevant reality of gardening: the roses needed fertilizer, the bird bath needed repair, and a zillion other chores became apparent. I gazed at the ‘Peggy Martin’ climbing roses my husband and I had neatly tied and pruned to the arbor. Out of the corner of my stye-free eye, I noticed something unusual: what on earth was that in the rose? Upon closer inspection, I realized it was the characteristic messy nest of a mother robin, and she was warily inspecting me, too. Suddenly I recalled... “A phoenix rises from the ashes....” Metaphorically, our next-door neighbors were phoenixes... rising up from the ashes and setting into motion the wheels of an old house’s rebirth. And while the fire blazed, the undeterred robin had built its nest in a rose that survived Hurricane Katrina. Darkness becomes light. Winter becomes spring. Flowers return anew, and the eternal cycle of life continues.
Photos courtesy of Leann Barron
from the ground up
NASHVILLE ROSE LEAF, MAY 2010
The May y Rose Garden By y Sam Jon nes May can be a busy and rewarding time in your rose garden. Because nature, herself, is working so hard, clothing your bushes with abundant growth, clean leaves, vigorous stems, and buds popping out at the ends of almost all new canes, it is tempting to sit back and “leave the gardening to her.” After all the tiresome digging, planting, pruning, raking, uncovering, weeding, fertilizing, and watering in April, it looks like May is the month to “turn’er loose and let’er go.” Don’t be fooled. Nature is doing a good job, but so must you! Otherwise you will be disappointed by the time the month is gone and the beetles begin arriving in June. In order to enjoy a beautiful, pleasurable rose garden, there is still much work to do in May. Now is the time to make plans, albeit much of what you do will be cooperating with nature. This is the beauty and joy of rose gardening in May. As much exciting growth is discovered in your garden every day, there are some tasks you still must diligently work at this month. The first is to continue regularly spraying your roses. How hard can that be? You will need to spray two or three times this month at the most. The key is to spray your rose bushes in May whether it looks like they need it or not. Come June and July, you will find out why, when you notice that those new, clean green leaves of spring are looking not only dingy, and some are turning yellow or having black spots. By then, you will have a fullblown case of “black spot” in your garden, which can be doubly discouraging during the hot, sticky summer months. It is even more tempting to blame nature, when you have little to admire from your favorite window. The real culprit is not mother nature it is the gardener who failed to give attention during the rosy month of May. What, when and how should I spray? The number one reason to spray is to rid your roses of the dreaded black spot fungus. You should spray at two-week intervals, using an inexpensive one or NASHVILLE ROSE LEAF, MAY 2010
two-gallon pump sprayer (avaliable at local garden centers or online), spray your “clean” bushes with two substances that you can mix together: one for the leaf surface, and the other for penetrating the foliage itself. One is “topical” and the other is “systemic.” When used together, or alternatively, at two-week intervals, during May, you will avoid a lot of disappointment come really hot, muggy summertime. [Refer to the spray reference chart on the NRS website www.nashvillerosesociety.com] The spray reference gives a list of recommended products for both fungal treatment and chemicals that can be used to rid your roses of various pests.
If you have planted bushes near a sunny, brick wall—you may notice that your bottom leaves are looking gray and beginning to drop, in spite of your faithful antifungal applications. You could have an infestation of spider mites (hard to see with the naked eye). But before purchasing expensive chemicals to eradicate these critters, I would suggest you turn your trusty water-hose nozzle on them, as well. Repeated hard water-spraying from the bottom of the bush upward several times over a couple of weeks, and these babies won’t stick around. They hate water. Use it often and use it well.
If you have questions about what products to use contact any Consulting Rosarians (see list on page 11). Be sure to attend the May meeting when a panel of outstanding rosarians will answer your questions.
If you have cooperated well with nature’s flush and profusion of blooms toward the end of the month, let me entice you to cut some of the most attractive, as well as fragrant, blooms. Don’t worry a lot about shape; just find the ones that are most appealing to you. Cut them, and if you want, share some with a friend and certainly with your spouse, but let me lure you into taking a small step you never thought you would. Consider taking some to a—Rose Show. Don’t let those capitalized two words intimidate you. There is not a “Rosarian” alive that did not start out where you are. Yes, take some of your roses, the ones that look the best to you, to a rose show—there are a number of rose shows in the spring and fall within a few hours driving distance of Nashville [The Bowling Green Rose Show is May 22].
You already know that water is a must for roses. However, you can also SPRAY your roses with water, not only to hydrate the foliage during dry spells, but you can also effectively water-spray away the most troublesome insects you might encounter during this month, as well as most of the summer. The two insects you are most likely to see in May are first, aphids—little green, sticky devils that almost cover the ends of your luscious new stems and buds. Secondly thrips, almost invisible varmints nesting in blooms that turn lighter-colored-rose petals brownish. With an inexpensive, adjustable garden hose sprayer nozzle on a wide-fan or an angle setting, you can spray away those bothersome aphids. Once or twice in several days and they will virtually disappear. Thrips require something stronger, but don’t bother with them unless you really want only pristine white blooms. If you do, then mist-spray only the buds (not the whole bush) before or soon after they open with an “insecticide” (Orthene is a good choice), and they will soon make themselves scarce. Be careful. Many insects help you. Don’t try to kill them all — only a very few are bad ones. 4
What’s left for May?
A good way to practice is to particpate in the NRS Grand Prix in July. Remember, everyone starts as a “novice.” You will be surprised at how many “old hands” will assist you. They have all been right where you are. I can say this, once you show roses the first time, you will do it again. It’s fun and you will be hooked. But it’s all about enjoying roses and helping others enjoy them, also.
Editor’s Note - The original article was published in the May 2008 issue of the Nashville Rose Leaf and has been updated for this issue.
Crescendo Rose (cont’d)
Let’s Build a Rose Bush!
By: Sam Jones
Larry Meyer
Keith Zary, Jackson & Perkins’ noted hybridizer, in remarks at the media ceremony, described Crescendo as a “rare great rose” that combines the outstanding qualities of color, high-centered form, fragrance, and garden performance. A largeflowered hybrid tea, its strong, sweetspice fragrance and cream and pink blend petals are bred from two award-winning parents, Gemini and New Zealand. In describing Crescendo, Pat Bullard says, “The fragrance is strong enough to fill a room from a single bloom and memorable enough to never be confused with any other rose.” Nashville Rose Society members provide horticultural advice and consultation in establishing and maintaining the Nashville Music Garden. Members present at the Crescendo unveiling included (pictured in the photo l to r) Sam and Nancy Jones, Pat Bullard, Leann Barron, Ron Daniels, Nashville Rose Society President Larry Baird, Ann Lott, Connie Baird, Nashville Rose Society Membership Chair Marty Reich and Charles Lott.
Although unable to attend the ceremony, Ted Mills of Chattanooga, also a Nashville Rose Society member, played a key role in negotiations with Jackson & Perkins for recognizing the Nashville Symphony with the Crescendo rose. In her remarks, Barbara Mandrell shared with attendees her love of gardening and the honor of having two namesake roses and a daylily in the Nashville Music Garden Collection. Pam Tillis described her rose as “tough as nails,”— perfect for those without a green thumb! Brenda Lee characterized her rose as “little Dynamite” just like herself, but joked that she wished her rose had “big blooms” like the Dolly Parton rose. In a full page that includes descriptions of the creative contributions of the Nashville Symphony, the Crescendo rose will be featured prominently in J&P’s 2011 Wholesale Catalog, which is being distributed to nurseries in April 2010. The rose will become widely available commercially in 2011, although it may currently be purchased exclusively in Nashville at the Creekside Garden Center, 106 Harding Place (615-356-2201; Philip Gentry, owner).
Photo courtesy of Katherine Bombay
Crescendo rose will be featured prominently among the flowers honoring Nashville’s musical artists and celebrities in the Hall of Fame Park across from Schermerhorn Symphony Center downtown.
5
This article was too good to save until the Winter issue of KATnips. I tried it on some wimpy single cane bushes and it works! I’m afraid that the one hard freeze we had last year may have damaged some rose bushes to near extinction. Some will undoubtedly survive but some will surely struggle to grow. This is just a reminder of what can be done if a plant sends up only one shoot off the bud union. In the spring you can usually tell a good basal shoot because it will have red leaves. If the basal comes from below the ground level and the leaves are green, you can suspect it is a wild shoot from the rootstock. If you have only one basal coming from the plant and the leaves are red, this can be developed into a good plant by the middle of summer! Leave the basal to grow until the bottom three sets of leaves start to turn green. Then cut the top of the cane off leaving only the three sets of leaves on the bottom. Almost immediately, the eyes on the top two sets of leaves will begin to grow. When these two canes set buds and the buds get to the size of a pea, prune out the tops of both canes to the first set of five leaflets. At this time each of these canes will usually put two more canes at the top two eyes and normally there will be two eyes: one on each side of the main cane at the bud union. These will break, giving you a plant with three good canes. Now you may let it bloom - this will be about the middle of July. You have built yourself a bush!! If you let the spring basal grow and bloom without cutting it off as I explained earlier, you will end up with only one cane with all the growth at the top. Give it a try! (Editor’s note - This article was written by Larry Meyer of the Greater St. Louis Rose Society and is used with permission of the author. Original publication date unknown.) NASHVILLE ROSE LEAF, MAY 2010
Anchors Aw way By: Wi Wilma Wron ongffoot Last summer our little community united to welcome home our soldiers. After 18 months in a foreign land, they were coming home in a fancy chartered bus. Folks were lined up and down the road waving flags and blowing kisses. Of course it wouldn’t have been a homecoming without a party. We decorated the armory in bunting and flags, and all the ladies of Little Lot made their “special dish” for the party. It took 2 tables for just the cakes and pies alone. This was the grandest event in our community in a very long time. Every soldier was coming home, and we were celebrating. Since I was tied up decorating the church for Mae Luckett’s wedding, a sweet little lady, Miss Lida Tinkum, was appointed to do the flower arrangements for the banquet tables. When I walked into the armory fellowship hall and saw Lida’s main centerpiece, I had to admit she did almost as fine a job as I would have . .almost. Smack dab in the middle of the room, centered on the punch table was the largest, most glorious red, white and blue arrangement I have ever seen. Lida must have used every white glad and red rose in the county. It might have been a little over the top, but it certainly made a bold patriotic statement. As I was graciously congratulating Lida on her efforts, there was this loud explosion. BOOM! Someone had fired off the old WWII cannon that sits in front of the Armory. Well that boom scared Lucky Ledbetter’s no account, gun shy hound, so bad, it jumped out of the pickup, and ran into the banquet hall. All the young’uns started chasing that hound, trying to catch it. Which was pretty funny until it headed straight on for the punch table. Yes, the one with Lida’s massive arrangement and 4 punch bowls. That worthless, mangy hound dived under the punch table, followed by about l0 young’uns. Then almost in slow motion, the punch bowls sloshed and that arrangement began to tilt. We all watched in horror as several of those beautiful huge white glads tipped backwards in the vase, throwNASHVILLE ROSE LEAF, MAY 2010
ing the whole arrangement off balance. It teetered for 2 seconds and went crashing to the floor. Lida Tinkum, in her exuberance to create such a grand arrangement, had violated one of the most sacred rules of flower arranging. Always anchor the flowers securely in the design. I’m saying - that after your arrangement is finished, those flowers should be secure enough in that container that you could fling it clear across the room and the glory of the design would still be intact. Amen. Here’s how you do it. Wet Foam. Not to be confused with Dry Foam (that’s for dried flowers). Wet Foam can be purchased at a hobby or craft store. It comes in bricks. I always have a least four or five on hand. Wiley says I’m always shy a brick or two of a full load. There is also a product called “Oasis” you can purchase from floral supply houses or a florist. Costs more but works better. The wet foam blocks are easy to use and allow you to anchor the flowers in your design, while supplying water to the flower stems. Now, first figure out the size needed for your container. You want the foam to fill and fit the container snugly. I have been known to measure with a ruler the depth and width of the container, but I usually just eyeball it. Another method to help with size is pressing the foam over the mouth of the container to imprint the size on the form. Once you determine size, add an inch to the height and cut the foam with a knife. Fill a clean bucket with water and drop the foam into the bucket holey side up. One side of the foam will have small holes in it. As the foam takes on water, air bubbles escape through the holes. Be sure to leave your foam in the bucket until you are sure it is completely soaked all the way to the center. Once the foam sinks to the bottom of the bucket and bubbles have stopped bubbling, it’s ready to use. Be careful now, wet foam not completely soaked can leave dry pockets. Flowers inserted in the dry pockets can’t take on water and die. 6
Once the foam is wet, I always cut a very small section off the corner so I can add water to my arrangement later. Insert the foam into the container. It’s ok if you need to trim it again to fit. You want to make sure it’s snug. Sometimes if the vase is wide in the middle, I will add a few pieces to the sides. For very large containers, like for church flowers, 2 or more pieces of foam can be used by running a couple of thin wood sticks all the way through them. The wood will swell & hold them together as one. The extra inch of foam we added at the top serves 2 purposes. One is to be able to stick the flowers in from the side, but it also provides a way to anchor the foam to your container with floral tape. Floral tape can be bought at the same place you got the wet foam. It’s sticky and will stick to the vase. Run a piece of tape over the foam and stick it to the vase. I usually run two tapes cattycornered across the top. Now the foam’s ready for flowers. Be sure to measure the flower before placing it in the foam. Hold the flower up to the arrangement. Decide where you want it to go. Look at the flower’s pretty face, is it facing the direction you want it to? Then cut the flower so that you will have at least 2 inches, preferably more, of the stem in the foam. Trim off any bumps or thorns on the part of the stem that is going into the foam, so it will not make too big a hole. Now should you place a flower in foam and change your mind, it’s okay. But be sure to recut the flower before sticking it back in, and be careful if you insert another flower in the used hole. Use a larger/ longer stem to fill the holey space. Now I will admit while wet foam is a wonderful tool, it is ugly. You might not want to use this stuff in your best crystal vases. But, for arrangements in containers you can’t see through, it is wonderful. There are lots of other tools and tricks to anchor flower arrangements. But that’s for me to share with you another day. Oh, and that afternoon I gave Lida a big ole hug, dried her tears with my hankie, and told her all about wet foam. Wet foam would have saved Lida’s flower arrangement, even with a toppled table.
Four Roses Earn Earth-Kind® Honors By Gaye Hammond, Houston Rose Society
Photo courtesy of Maribel B
In addition to the above, test roses had to perform in the unlikeliest of soil conditions – unimproved heavy alkaline clay with a pH as high as 8.0. “That these roses thrive and are beautiful flowering landscape plants even when subjected to our grueling research conditions is a testament to their strong genetic make-up,” says Dr. George. “They embody traits that few other roses share – beauty, toughness and easy maintenance….and that has earned them the highest distinction a rose can achieve.”
Souvenir de St. Anne’s
Souvenir S i de d St. St Anne’s A ’s - This Thi sportt off the th famed Bourbon rose, Souvenir de la Malmaison, was discovered at St. Anne’s near Dublin. It was bred in the United Kingdom by Thomas Hilling and released in the
1950’s. Souvenir de St. Anne’s produces beautiful blush pink blooms that exude a heady spice fragrance on an upright bushy shrub with an average mature size of 5 to7 feet high by 4 feet wide. This rose that has all of the wonderful attributes of its parent (manageable size, color, fragrance) without the susceptibility to disease seen in Souvenir de la Malmaison. Souvenir de St. Anne’s is an excellent choice for mass plantings and for use in borders. When planted near walkways and doorways one is constantly enveloped in its wonderful fragrance. In my test gardens and in the field trial gardens in Addison (Texas) the fragrance of this rose can be detected up to 15 feet away from the plant. It is suited for gardens in Zones 5 to 9. La Marne is a Polyantha rose that was introduced in 1915 and is best known for its use in hedges. It is a very erect bushy plant with glossy leaves, few thorns and clusters of single pink cup-shaped flowers having a white eye. La Marne is a heavy bloomer and produces flowers throughout the growing season. The average mature bush has a neat, well-groomed appearance of a medium shrub 4 to 6 feet high and 4 to 5 feet wide. I tested this rose as part of an Earth-Kind® field trial in Navasota (Texas) and it was the most floriferous of all the roses at my test site. It was not uncommon for flowering cycles to include hundreds of blooms and the plant to bloom continuously from February to the first freeze in the fall. La Marne is one of a few roses that will tolerate shaping with an electric hedge trimmer and is suitable for gardens in Zones 4 to 9. Cecile Brunner (the “Sweetheart Rose”) is a Polyantha shrub-type rose dating back to 1881. It produces waves of light pink clusters of fragrant near-perfect blossoms having true rose form on bushes that average 4 foot tall and 3 foot wide. While Cecile Brunner will tolerate some light dappled afternoon shade, it does best in a location that receives at least 6 hours of full direct sunlight. A climbing version of Cecil Brunner is availclim able abl at some nurseries. The shrub variety is the one tested and the one that received the Earth-Kind® designation. Cecile Brunner E is suitable for gardens in Zones 5 to 9. Rev d’Or - According to Dr. George, Rev d’Or is “The healthiest yellow rose we 7
have ever tested.” Bred in France by Joseph Pernet-Ducher and introduced in 1869, it’s name means “Dream of Gold” – an appropriate description for this beautiful repeat blooming, almost thornless, climbing Noisette rose that produces buff yellow semi-double flowers with a fruity fragrance. Rev d’Or has the ability to quickly reach its mature size of 10 to 18 feet with a spread of approximately 8 feet, but also retain its mannerly habit. It is well-suited for pillars, arbors and landscape structures. This climber is suitable for gardens in Zone 7 to 9, but prefers warmer climates.
Rev d’Or All four f off the th new cultivars lti are repeatt bloomers. These cultivars bring the total number of roses holding the Earth-Kind® designation to 21. “There is more to these roses than just good looks,” says Dr. George. “Earth-Kind® Roses are robust and thrive in really tough conditions. Our testing demonstrates that they are roses that are easy to grow and maintain,” he adds. Own-root roses having the Earth-Kind® designation are long-lived and are so environmentally responsible that almost never will you need to apply harsh pesticides or commercial fertilizers when maintained according to Earth-Kind® landscape management principals (including a year-round protection of a 3-inch layer of mulch). See http://earthkindroses.tamu.edu for more information on Earth-Kind® Roses and landscape management. Earth-Kind® research is what separates good roses from exceptional roses for the landscape! NASHVILLE ROSE LEAF, MAY 2010
Photo courtesy of Aggie Horticulture
Gardeners are celebrating the addition of four more roses to the growing collection of low-maintenance roses known as “EarthKind®.” The designation by Dr. Steve George and his colleagues at Texas AgriLife Extension (part of the Texas A&M system) comes after years of randomized, replicated scientific research studies followed by multi-year field trials at test sites throughout the South. While one would never consider trying to grow modern roses without applications of pesticides, fungicides or fertilizers and greatly reduce supplemental irrigation to the plants, these are exactly the criteria the roses were required to meet to even be considered for the Earth-Kind® study.
‘KNOCK OUTS’ By: Ted Mills, Master Rosarian and Judge
The long awaited date for the fight finally arrived. Television had not been invented, but thanks to the air waves of radio, an eager public listened with great interest. Vintage Atwater Kent and Philco tube radios provided coverage of this long-awaited event to a boxing world. RoseDoc, whose family owned no radio, remembers going next door to listen as announcer Clem McCarthy narrated this thrilling fight. To the surprise of every listener, Schmeling scored a knockout of Louis in the twelfth round. A subsequent re-match in 1938 found Louis knocking out Schmeling in the first round. Reminiscing about this story of knockouts prompted RoseDoc to speak of this physical activity in a more sedate scenario. For years, rosarians have been faced with labor intensity when combating disease in their prized roses. It seemed that there would be no end to this laborious task. To the credit of Bill Radler, a NASHVILLE ROSE LEAF, MAY 2010
Vigorous public acceptance of carefree plants prompts the growing firms to highlight this specimen in their growing fields. It is a change that has been predicted for years, and finally is being accepted more and more by the here-tofore hesitant growers. There is an appeal to hybridizers to provide this genetic advancement to other species of roses – particularly hybrid teas. RoseDoc’s visits to rose gardens reveal an increasing presence of ‘Knock Outs’. This validates his prediction that shrub roses will eventually dominate the landscapes of America unless the “no spray” virtue is developed among the large roses, too. Attraction of new rose growers to the hobby signals an excellent opportunity to rose societies who crave membership improvement. Anything that will help to swell the ranks of the American Rose Society is a blessing that will cure a lot of its operational problems. To the seasoned rosarian who fears that the beloved hybrid teas will eventually become obsolete, have no fear. The hybrid tea will still remain the favorite to advance to the regal designation of Queen. Which variety can sway a rose show judge away from the sharp pointed 8
beauty of an unfurling Veterans’ Honor or the gorgeous appearance of a Moonstone or Crystalline? No shrub can do that. Do not consider ‘Knock Outs’ as competition, but rather a vehicle that will attract the busy young prospect to the hobby that veteran rosarians adore. If finally an interested person decides to join a local rose society, it behooves the society leadership to welcome them with an attitude that spells helpfulness. Back to the Schmeling-Louis fight. After the exciting bouts, Schmeling became a close friend of Louis who had lost his fortune. He befriended him with financial help since he owned the Coca Cola franchise in Germany. Hoping to live to reach the age of 100, Schmeling missed the goal by 240 days. His adoration of Louis continued unabated, as evidenced by his serving as a pallbearer at Louis’s funeral. Assuredly, the boxing knockouts did not diminish their love for one another. Neither should the introduction of ‘Knock Out’ roses present a threat to the other cultivars on the market. The positive benefit that adds to the popularity of growing all roses should be the result.
Photo courtesy of The Conard-Pyle Co.
RoseDoc D remembers b well ll th the ‘K ‘Knock Outs’ in his life. It was in 1936 that the heavyweight boxing fight of Joe Louis and Max Schmeling took place. Most Americans had begun to feel that Louis was invincible. After all, he had scored many knockouts during his storied boxing career. But on the scene appeared a crafty German whose physical skills had won for him the World’s heavyweight championship. The media hype that was created for the Louis/Schmeling match was unbelievable. The entire world waited for the event to be staged. Not an American sports fan doubted Louis’s ability to knock out the German. World War II had not begun but Germany was a war-minded force that could not be overlooked.
Wisconsin hybridizer, that obstacle was finally overcome in a particular cultivar, ‘Knock Out’. It is today’s most popular variety since it requires no spraying – a chore despised by most rosarians. Developing such a cultivar soon reached the attention of people who shunned rose growing because of the spray requirement. Today, even commercial firms include ‘Knock Outs’ in their landscaping. This extra appeal enables the variety to eclipse the sale of all other rose plants. Harnessing the plant’s genetic factor led to the elimination of spraying. This has been the goal of the entire rose industry. Hybridizers are busily trying to discover the secret of genetics in their skills. Another successful individual is the highly respected breeder of roses, Tom Carruth, of Weeks Roses. His introduction of ‘Home Run’ is a sterling example of another carefree rose. RoseDoc grows both varieties, ‘Knock Out’ and ‘Home Run’ and considers them excellent performers in his rose garden.
NRS News
worthy occasion that honored two wonderful rosarians.
NRS MAY MEETING
The 2010 ARS National Miniature Rose Show and Conference will be held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, from August 20-22, 2010. Contact Diane Sommers, 262-7817989 dianesommers@wi.rr.com now for information.
NEW CR
Glenda Whitaker Membership Award Charles Lott was honored as the first recipient of the American Rose Society’s Glenda Whitaker Membership Award. The award was appropriately presented to Charles by Glenda’s daughters, Glenda Jordan and Mary Stanford at the April NRS meeting at Cheekwood. This a note-
NEWS
National Miniature Conference Reminder
Special reminder - the May NRS Meeting will be held at the Ellington Agricultural Center and not at Cheekwood.
Congratulations to the newest NRS Consulting Rosarian, Cindy Worch, who passed her CR exam at the Tenarky Winter Workshop. Way to go Cindy!
ARS
Mary Stanford presenting Charles Lott with the ARS Glenda Whitaker Membership Award
Free Rose Bush!
TENARKY NEWS The first rose show of the season in the Tenarky District will be held in Bowling Green, Kentucky on May 22 at the American Legion Hall. Contact Bob Jacobs at r.jacobsa@insightbb.com for details. The rose show in Bowling Green is always fun for everyone and is a short drive north of Nashville.
Witherspoon Rose Culture is partnering with the American Rose Society to offer a FREE rose bush to all new members, a $24.99 value! Every new full member will receive a coupon redeemable for an R. K. Witherspoon, a fabulous hybrid tea sport of Tiffany. You just pay shipping and handling. This offer does not apply to trial memberships. Be sure to share this great offer when you encourage others to join the American Rose Society.
May Rose Tips May is the most beautiful month for our roses, so enjoy the beauty of your roses. Also there are no mistakes made in the garden; however, if you think you have made a mistake, throw it in the compost pile. — Kathy Brennan, ARS Consulting Rosarian Watch for saw fly larva in the next few weeks. They are tiny worms that eat the rose leaves and can be very destructive very rapidly. — Marty Reich, ARS Master Rosarian Roses are very forgiving plants. Even if you do not give them all the tender love and care they want and deserve they will still provide you with beautiful blooms. We purchased three bare root roses at the Tenarky Winter Workshop on February 22, 2010. The standard procedure for bare root roses is soak overnight in water, plant in a pot in good potting soil, cover with mulch for 4-6 weeks before moving to the garden. However, we were leaving town the next day, so I hurriedly removed them from the bag, dug a hole in my garden, put them in the ground, covered with mulch and left them be. On April 1, 2010, new growth was pushing through the mulch and now we have three healthy new roses in our garden. — Charles Lott, ARS Consulting Rosarian Man’s best friend is his dog. Not so with the Rosarian. His best friend is a reliable respirator. Just ask the doctor. Warding off chemical damage to the body is paramount in rose growing. An operative and clean respirator (not a dust mask) that contains clean filters will prolong the hobby of rose growing as no other piece of equipment. Take it from RoseDoc. Use “gumption” in your spraying operation. Handle chemicals with extreme care always and wear a respirator every time spraying is performed. It just may save your life. — Ted Mills, ARS Master Rosarian 9
NASHVILLE ROSE LEAF, MAY 2010
Imidicloprid (Merit®) And Spider Mites Dr. Raymond Cloyd
However, there has been some confusion associated with using imidacloprid (Merit®) to control the twospotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae). This is the primary spider mite that feeds on roses from spring through fall. Twospotted spider mite is a warm season mite preferring hot, dry conditions, which is why “hard water sprays” are oftentimes recommended to deal with twospotted spider mites on roses. This is actually a very effective pest management strategy as long as it is not performed too late in the evening, which avoids promoting an outbreak of the fungus, black spot. Additionally, two-spotted spider mite populations can build-up to damaging levels very rapidly. How fast can this mite species develop? Well, at ambient air temperatures >85ºF, the life cycle from egg to adult can be completed in approximately 7 days! What is important to understand in NASHVILLE ROSE LEAF, MAY 2010
Additionally, twospotted spider mite as well as other spider mite species that may attack roses don’t reside or overwinter in the soil. Twospotted spider mite overwinters on weeds, and any plant material debris. As such, soil applications of imidacloprid (Merit®) will not be effective and should be avoided since you can actually do more harm by killing earthworms and other beneficial micro-organisms. Furthermore, applications of imidacloprid (Merit®) may actually result in more problems with twospotted spider mite. Why would this be the case? Well, if you will allow me to indulge in some really “cool” interactions between pesticides and spider mites I will do my best to explain this as simply as possible. First of all, imidacloprid has been shown to actually stimulate plant growth. This plant growth enhancement may be associated with an increased efficiency in the use of chemical energy by the plant. For example, energy rich NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) molecules are recycled more rapidly due to the presence of 6-CAN (6-chloro nicotinic acid), which is a known systemic plantresistance inducer and major metabolite of imidacloprid. As such, enhanced plant growth has frequently been observed in ornamental plants. Well, knowing this (now we get to the “good stuff”), it has been hypothesized 10
that imidacloprid applications may alter plant physiology (growth and development) in a way that favors plant-feeding spider mites by increasing the nutritional quality of leaves resulting in enhanced twospotted spider mite development, fecundity, and reproduction. In fact (more “good stuff”), at ‘high’ concentrations, imidacloprid (Merit®) stimulates expression of photosynthesis marker-genes that prolong the production of energy. Ok, so what? Well, this may be correlated with an induced improvement in plant nutritional quality or an increase in nitrogen content. Twospotted spider mites, in general, tend to respond positively to increased nitrogen levels in plants. This response may be due to either an alteration of plant nutrition or an induced physiological change in plants. Bottom line: twospotted spider mites may perform better on roses that receive applications of imidacloprid (Merit®). In conclusion, this article has attempted to explain (as simply as possible) why it is important to not utilize or recommend the use of imidacloprid (Merit®) for control of twospotted spider mites feeding on roses…unless you wish to raise this pest. If you have any questions or comments please feel free to contact me. Happy Rose Growing!!
Photo courtesy of Marlon E Rice
Many rose growers (both advanced and beginners) are likely familiar with the insecticide product called Merit®, which contains the active ingredient—imidacloprid. Since the patent for imidacloprid has expired, this active ingredient may be found in many commercially-available homeowner and professional products. This material is widely used to control those insect pests that have piercing-sucking mouthparts such as aphids, whiteflies, and mealybugs. The material may be applied to rose leaves or the soil (as a drench) in which case the active ingredient is translocated or moves in the transpiration stream (xylem) and then migrates into the phloem where aphids, whiteflies, and mealybugs feed. This is simple enough…right?
regards to “controlling” twospotted spider mite populations with imidacloprid (Merit®), particularly when applied as a soil drench, is that spider mites do not feed in the phloem tissues of plants (in this case, roses). Two-spotted spider mites feed within leaf cells, damaging the spongy mesophyll, palisade parenchyma, and chloroplasts thus reducing chlorophyll (green pigment) and the ability of roses to photosynthesize (manufacture food). This results in the expression of typical symptoms such as leaf bleaching and yellow stippling. As such, twospotted spider mites never ingest any imidacloprid during the feeding process.
Dr. Raymond A. Cloyd is an Professor and Extension Specialist in Ornamental Entomology/Integrated Pest Management in the Department of Entomology at Kansas State University, 123 Waters Hall, Manhattan, KS 66506-4004 Phone 785-532-4750 Email: rcloyd@ksu.edu
A Rose Lover’s Calendar
New Members
MAY
Mimi Foster Nashville, TN 37215
NRS, Tenarky, & ARS Coming Events
10 22
NRS Meeting at Ellington Agricultural Center 6:30 PM - Refreshments 7:00 PM Old Garden Roses by Lynne Wallman Bowling Green Rose Society Rose Show - American Legion Hall Contact Bob Jacobs at r.jacobsa@insightbb.com JUNE
Country Music Celebrity Big Kenny of Big & Rich Nashville, TN Donna J. Edwards Clarksville,TN 37043-8316
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NRS Meeting & NRS Annual Picnic at the home of Larry & Connie Baird
David and Martha Hagaman Nashville, TN 37221
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Huntsville Twickenham Rose Show - Parkway Mall - Contact Bill Chappell at greenmtnroses@comcast.net
Steve Newman/Barbara Ball Nashville, TN 37205
JULY 6 22
Sara Plummer Nashville, TN 37215
NRS Meeting at Cheekwood - 6:30 PM - Refreshments 7:00 PM - Photographing Roses by Don Gill & Charles Lott Grand Prix I ARS National Miniature Rose Show and Conference Mil waukee, WI Contact Diane Sommers, 262-781-7989 dianesommers@wi.rr.com Details & other event news available at
www.nashvillerosesociety.com Nashville Rose Leaf is printed by: The Print Authority Brentwood, Tennessee
Contributions Nashville Rose Society is a 501c-3 organization and all contributions to the society are tax-deductible. Contributions may be made as memorials or to honor some person, group or occasion. Checks for contributions should be made payable to Nashville Rose Society and mailed to: CINDY WORCH 137 Urban Farms Rd. Manchester, TN 37355 ((931) 723-2142 rosegardener@hughes.net
Nashville Rose Leaf The Nashville Rose Leaf is published eleven times annually by the Nashville Rose Soci Country music star Big Kenny, Nashville, TN. ety, Nashville, TN Editors: Jim & Starla Harding, Sam Jones & Leann Barron
Nashville Rose Society 2010 Officers President Larry Baird................(931) 729-5259 Vice-Pres Ron Daniels...............(615) 330-7083 Treasurer Susan Sinclair............(615) 386-3818 Rec. S’ty Hayes Gibson ...........(615) 794-1708 Cor. S’ty Cynthia Worch ..........(931) 723-2142 Previous Pres. Sandra Frank..... .(615) 383-058
Nashville Rose Society Membership We are a non-profit organization serving the middle Tennessee area to educate persons on growing and exhibiting roses. Membership is open to everyone who supports the objectives of the organization. Annual dues of $20.00 per household include a subscription to The Nashville Rose Leaf, the official newsletter of the society. To join, send a check payable to Nashville Rose Society to: Marty Reich, 5020 Dovecote Dr., Nashville, TN 37220-1614 Phone: (615) 833-0791; E-mail: marty615@bellsouth.net
Disclaimer: While the advice and information in this newsletter is believed to be true and accurate at the time of publication, neither the authors nor the editor(s) accept any legal responsibility for any errors or omissions that may have been made. The Nashville Rose Society makes no warranty, expressed or implied with respect to the material contained herein.
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ARS Consulting Rosarians South Nashville Leann Barron ....................(615) 269-0240 *Marty Reich ....................(615) 833-0791 West Nashville Keith Garman ....................(615) 352-6219 Sam & Nancy Jones ..........(615) 646-4138 Brentwood Area *Cecil & Bessie Ward ........(615)373-2245 Jerry & Marise Keathley ....(615)377-3034 Franklin Area *Anne Owen .....................(615) 794-0138 Logan & Joan Shillinglaw (615) 790-7346 Robbie&Marsha Tucker ....(615) 595-9187 Hendersonville Area Ron Daniels.......................(615) 330-7083 Charles Lott.......................(615) 824-5614 Jack Wedekind ..................(615) 824-8696 Murfreesboro Area Dillard & Diane Lester......(615) 896-0203 Columbia Area Lyle Worsham ...................(931) 388-4547 Lebanon-Watertown Area Jeff Harvey ........................(615) 268-7089 Jennifer Harvey .................(615) 268-7032 Duck River-Centerville Area *Larry & Connie Baird .....(931) 729-5259 Manchester Area Cindy Worch .....................(931) 723-2142 *Indicates ARS Master Rosarian
NASHVILLE ROSE LEAF, MAY 2010
5020 Dovecote Drive Nashville, TN 37220-1614
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID BRENTWOOD, TN PERMIT NO. 162
Address Service Requested
www.nashvillerosesociety.com
Pru uning g Pa arty & Ros se Sale By y Marty y Reich ch h, Master Ma Rosa aria an The annual pruning party and bareroot rose sale was held on Saturday, March 13, at Mona Mishu’s garden. Mother Nature gave us a mixed bag of weather. It was really, really cold, but she didn’t let it rain on us. Larry Baird, Ron Daniels, and Anne Owen led groups of hardy souls around the garden giving instructions on pruning. At one point, I counted 25 observers. Probably half were members and many others had heard about it through Don Reed’s advertising efforts. Cindy Worch, Cecil Ward and I had the opportunity to answer all kinds of rose questions and sign up four new members, most of whom were there because of Leann Barron.
Linda Ring & Cindy Lemay
Linda Ring and Cindy Lemay brought wonderful refreshments. Mona also supplied snacks and we are so grateful to her for furnishing a garden with lots of roses to prune. Sam and Nancy Jones handled the bareroot sale which generated $500 in sales that day. Profit to be determined when all of the roses have been sold. The ones not sold as bareroot have been potted and will be brought in to a meeting when they have grown enough. In the meantime anyone who might like one sooner can contact Sam Jones at 646-4138 or gsamj@bellsouth.net.
Sam Jones & Tom Beath w/ bare root roses
Annie Owen demonstrates pruning
Photos courtesy of Jim Harding
Ron Daniels, Annie Owen & Larry Baird