2026 SPRING DISTRICT RECAP

When you hear, “we need to set up more tables”, it is music to your ears.

Spring was in the air, and a room full of rose lovers and gardeners were ready to be inspired to get our gardens off to a great start. Our wonderful speakers and programs did just that…

ROSES IN ART

Friday night, we took an informative and beautiful trip through art history with Melissa Schiff, VP of the Albuquerque Rose Society, via the magic of Zoom. From the very realistic to the abstract, roses have always played a huge part in our history and culture.

SATURDAY:

PHYSIOLOGICAL AND GENETIC DISORDERS OF ROSES

Dr. Mark Windham, who assured us that this was one of his most boring programs, was, as we suspected, completely wrong. With his wit and wisdom, this program proved to be incredibly helpful in teaching us how roses respond to various stresses, such as nutritional deficiencies and water issues. Additionally, it provided valuable insights into identifying different genetic disorders that could affect our roses. Early detection and diagnosis can make a big difference, and now we are better equipped to handle what comes our way.

JUST DON’T CALL IT DIRT!

Our Vice Director, Sonja Lallemand, shared that there is in fact a difference in soil and dirt and how this “living organism” we call soil supports life! Taking a look at components, textures, structure, color, pH, and fertility, we were reminded of not only how having the right foundation for our roses makes all the difference but also what we can do. Can you say soil test???”

GROWING & CARING FOR ALL TYPES OF ROSES

Ron Daniels took us back to the basics and beyond, sharing his tips and tricks of a lifetime of growing roses. He also inspired us to look at sharing our gardens differently. Ron gives the gift of an “open garden. He shared beautiful stories of those who have come — many coming when they were in their last stage of life and wanted the comfort of being in a garden. He shared that passersby often stop to ask a question or take a picture. I think most of us gasped when he shared that on one day of a recent open garden, he had 350 guests. Ron lives out his passion and ministry to share his love of growing roses with others. We also had the opportunity to purchase Ron’s book, Rose Therapy.

GROWING ROSES IN POTS

Jason Capote, ARS Consulting Rosarian and Horticulture Judge, shared his hands-on experience of growing roses in containers. Jason grows 170 roses in his New York City Garden and many of those he grows in containers. We learned how to pair the size of the rose and container, just what the lines on the containers actually mean, the best soil, products to use, and how to winter protect! Many of us had no idea full-size roses could flourish in containers. But now we’ve seen the pictures to prove it!

THANK YOUS

Thank you to our wonderful speakers. We appreciate your sharing your valuable time and talent to educate and inspire us.

We send our sincere thanks to Star Roses and Plants for the donation of their wonderful roses so that each person who attended could take something beautiful back to their garden.

And last but not least, a huge thank you to our District Board, especially Director Sharon Shipp and Vice Director Sonja Lallemand, for the unimaginable hours spent making sure this special weekend could happen.