Aug 1, 2025 | ADVANCED ROSE GROWING, BASIC ROSE CARE, TYPES OF ROSES
Heat Stresses and Your Roses Shared from Mark’s Mayhems and Maladies by Dr Mark Windham
Much of the country has seen very hot weather and as I write this, we are not done with June! Rosarians in the Deep South and Southwest select roses suited for hot climates although their roses still suffer some heat damage at this time of year. In the Midwest, Mid Atlantic and Northeast and Northwest, roses have traditionally been selected for cold hardiness instead of tolerance to heat stress. Recent changes in weather patterns over much of the U.S. have led to hotter temperatures which have made heat stress a more universal challenge for rosarians.
Heat stress can lead to scorched leaves (Fig. A) and blossoms (Fig. B). Scorching is a natural way for the rose to control water loss via transpiration as stomates (let water vapor out of leaves) are permanently closed in scorched areas of leaves. The scorched foliage can be tan to brown and may have a chlorotic border. Prune the scorched leaves and blooms off and pray for cooler weather.
Another form of heat stress is called black leaf. Black leaf is poorly understood but occurs in many rose cultivars. Foliage becomes bronze to black when temperatures are high (Fig. C). Black leaf may be due to a combination of heat, spraying pesticides during hot periods and possibly nutritional interactions. To date, black leaf has received little study by the scientific community although inquiries concerning roses with black leaf have increased in recent years. To remove all the black leaf from a bush in the heat of summer may require substantial pruning.
A disease associated with hot temperatures is Cercospora Leaf Spot (CLS). The disease is caused by the fungus Cercospora rosicola. Infection and subsequent symptoms occur in hot, humid weather. Spots from CLS have black/purple/brown borders and tan to gray centers (Fig. D). Unlike the cool weather disease anthracnose, there are no observable fruiting bodies in the lesion centers. Unlike blackspot that has diffuse borders, lesions of CLS have smooth borders. Plants with CLS can defoliate, but defoliation is not as common with CLS as it is with black spot. Resistance to CLS is available, but is controlled by different genes than those for black spot resistance. Therefore, resistance to one disease does not imply resistance to both diseases. Fungicides can be used and if needed; the ones for black spot control will work for CLS.
Mark Windham was a distinguished professor of ornamental pathology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. After retirement, Mark and his wife Karen love to walk beaches, visit with old rose friends, and enjoy grandchildren.
May 30, 2025 | ADVANCED ROSE GROWING, ARRANGING, BASIC ROSE CARE, CULTURE, FRAGRANCE, NEWS, TYPES OF ROSES
THE ROSE: OUR NATIONAL FLORAL EMBLEM!
June is National Rose Month. What a perfect time to celebrate our National Floral Emblem! Roses have a long and colorful history. Through the years they have been symbols of love, beauty, war and politics. Their beauty, romance, history and versatility is unmatched. She is the “Queen of Flowers!”
A FASCINATING JOURNEY, By Teresa Byington, Rose Chat Podcast, ARS Membership Committee:
It took some time to find just the right flower to be our National Floral Emblem. In 1901, President William McKinley sponsored the red carnation! While we don’t know too much about that, we do know quite a bit about the fight for the marigold. On January 12, 1959, the president of the W. Atlee Burpee Co., David Burpee, wrote to newly-elected Senate Minority Leader, Everett M. Dirksen, proclaiming the virtues of the marigold and calling it “the flower of the people.” David Burpee was vigilant in the fight. He was known for using P.T. Barnum’s model for promotion and advertising – just like his dad! For nearly 10 years Burpee and Dirksen campaigned for the marigold. Ten years is dedication! Many other flowers were considered too … there were even those who strongly suggested that the corn tassel be our national flower.
A ROSE IS A ROSE IS A ROSE: While the debate went on for at least 85 years, we are so pleased with the final decision. In 1986, President Ronald Regan signed a resolution making the rose the National Floral Emblem at a ceremony in the White House Rose Garden…
“Americans have always loved the flowers with which God decorated our land. More often than any other flower, we hold the rose dear as the symbol of life and love and devotion, of beauty and eternity. For the love of man and woman, for the love of mankind and God, for the love of country, Americans who would speak the language of the heart do so with a rose.
We see proof of this everywhere. The study of fossils reveals that the rose has existed in America for age upon age. We have always cultivated roses in our gardens. Our first President, George Washington, bred roses, and a variety he named after his mother is still grown today. The White House itself boasts a beautiful Rose Garden. We grow roses in all our fifty States. We find roses throughout our art, music, and literature. We decorate our celebrations and parades with roses. Most of all, we present roses to those we love, and we lavish them on our alters, our civil shrines, and the final resting places of our honored dead.
The American people have long held a special place in their hearts for roses. Let us continue to cherish them, to honor the love and devotion they represent, and to bestow them on all we love just as God has bestowed them on us.
The Congress, by Senate Joint Resolution 159 has designated the rose as the National Floral Emblem of the United States and authorized and requested the President to issue a proclamation declaring this fact.
NOW THEREFORE, I, RONALD REGAN, President of the United States of America, do hereby proclaim the rose as the National Floral Emblem of the United States of America.”
Thank you, President Regan. It is our pleasure to continue to represent all aspects of the rose. Yes, the rose is in good hands with the American Rose Society and our local societies.
The American Rose Society has scheduled some excellent ways for you to help celebrate June is Rose Month, nationally and at our garden home, the American Rose Center:
1. Join us for a webinar, free of charge: June 28, 2025, 11:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.: “Rose Selection in Different Soil and Climate Conditions.” Speaker Matthias Meilland, Sixth Generation Rose Breeder, House of Meilland, France. Since 1935, the House of Meilland has tested its varieties on both sides of the Atlantic. When Robert Pyle came to see the young Francis Meilland in France, in 1933, he told him to learn English and go see his varieties abroad. Francis did and traveled to the US in 1935. Since this era, the Meilland breeding team has traveled the world to see how their new seedlings were performing in different climate and soil conditions. These 90 years of data from Pennsylvania, California, Spain, Germany and France, produced varieties such as ‘Peace’, ‘Bonica’, ‘Eden Rose’ and ‘Papa Meilland’ and also incredible performers such as the “Drift” roses and many of the mid-western performing Hybrid Teas that embellish your gardens. We will dive into the selection program, see the winners and losers and we might even take a peek into the future of roses!
Register Here
2. Besties, Bubbly and Blooms, June 12, 6:30-8:30 p.m., $60: Grab your bestie and come have some girl dinner (charcuterie) and bubbly & make floral arrangements with Heather Zahn from Flower Power as we celebrate National Red Rose Day! All this included and more for $60. Limited spots are available! Get your tickets by the 10th! The gardens are blooming, friendship is in the air, come celebrate with us.
Get Tickets
3. Green Thumb Seminar, Saturday June 21, 2025, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., $40: Elevate your skills as a flower arranger. Experienced rosarians will provide hands-on instructions on how to arrange roses using American Rose Society standards for a beautiful bouquet. All materials will be provided. Price includes lunch. Attendees must register to attend:
Schedule:
- 10:00-10:30: Welcome. Basics in floral design and styles; how-to tips for building longer lasting bouquets.
- 10:30-12:00: Attendees will create a beautiful take-home flower arrangement of traditional style.
- 12:00–12:30: Lunch from Jason’s Deli.
- 12:30–2:00: Be inspired by the rhythmic outline of plant material; curled or twisted vines, arching branches, to create a naturalistic design to take home.
Get Tickets
The Rose is the National Floral Emblem and there are so many ways to enjoy roses:
1. Plant a rose bush! Need help? Go to www.rose.org to learn more.
2. Share your roses at nursing homes, hospitals, banks and your local library. You’ll brighten someone’s day! Encourage your local library to have a rose book display.
3. Give roses to show your love or friendship. Roses are a favorite gift to receive.
4. Give the gift of an American Rose Society membership. Go to www.rose.org to learn more.
5. Give a gift of a rosebush for a longer-lasting gift. There are so many different kinds of roses to choose from with an endless variety of colors, including stripes.
6. Visit a botanical garden or a rose garden. You might find inspiration to start your own rose garden.
7. Take photos of your roses and share with friends in cards, notes and letters. Share with the ARS on our many social media platforms and be sure to tag us, #roses, #nationalfloralemblem:
facebook.com/RoseSociety | @AmericanRoseSociety
Media Contact: Beth Smiley, Interim Executive Director, beth@rose.org, 318-938-5402, ext 101.
About the American Rose Society: The American Rose Society is a non-profit, educational organization founded in 1892 to promote the culture, preservation and appreciation of the rose and to improve its standard of excellence for all people through education and research. Its headquarters is located in Shreveport, Louisiana, at the American Rose Center, home of “America’s Rose Garden.”
About the American Rose Center: The American Rose Center was established in 1974 and serves as the national headquarters site for the American Rose Society. “America’s Rose Garden” is the largest public garden in the United States dedicated to roses.
Dec 19, 2024 | BASIC ROSE CARE, NEWS
The American Rose Society offers numerous educational opportunities including monthly webinars on a variety of topics. Pat Shanley, Chair of the Webinar Committee, has put together an exciting line up with speakers from around the world. These webinars are provided free of charge for all American Rose Society members. There is a $5 fee for all others interested in attending a webinar. Questions about registering for webinars should be directed to Tanya Cole at Tanya@rose.org or 318-938-5402, ext.108.
- January 18, 2025 · 11:00am – 1:30pm: “2024 Digital Photography Contest Winners Reveal”
- February 15, 2025 · 1:00 – 3:00 pm: Consulting Rosarian School Part 1: CR Mission & Ethics, Soil & Water, Insects & Diseases
- February 22, 2025 · 1:00 – 3:00 pm: Consulting Rosarian School Part 2: Fertilizers, Chemical Safety
- March 22, 2025 · 11:00am – 2:00pm: “Special Roses!”
SAVE THE DATE FOR THESE FUTURE PROGRAMS:
- April 26, 2025 · 11:00am – 2:00pm: “American Garden Rose Selections™ Regional Rose Trials – Bringing You Roses You Can Grow where You Live!”
- Speaker: Chris VanCleave, the Redneck Rosarian, RoseChat Podcast; Marketing & Publicity Director, American Garden Rose Selections™
- May 17, 2025 · 11:00am – 2:00pm: “Coming Up Roses – The High Country Roses Story”
- Speaker: Matt Douglas, Owner, High Country Roses
- June 28, 2025 · 11:00am – 2:00pm: “Rose Selection in Different Soil and Climate Conditions”
- Speaker Matthias Meilland, Sixth Generation Rose Breeder, House of Meilland
- July 26, 2025 · 11:00am – 2:00pm: “An Update on Breeding Roses for Black Spot Resistance”
- Speaker: Dr. David Zlesak, Professor of Horticulture, University of Wisconsin River Falls
- August 23, 2025 · 11:00am – 2:00pm: “Rethinking Late Summer & Fall Rose Health Strategies”
- Speaker: Dr. Mark Windham, Professor Emeritus of Plant Pathology, The University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture
- September 27, 2025 · 11:00am – 2:00pm: “Designing a Garden for Rose Collectors. The Normal Rules Don’t Apply!”
- Speaker: Paul Zimmerman, Owner, Paul Zimmerman Roses Consulting and Design
- October 25, 2025 · 11:00am – 2:00pm: “What’s New with Jackson & Perkins”
- Speaker: Wes Harvell, Rose Category Manager & Rosarian for Jackson Perkins Park Acquisitions Inc.
- November 22, 2025 · 11:00am – 2:00pm: Topic TBA
- Speaker: Thomas Proll, Chief Hybridizer, Kordes Roses
About the American Rose Society: The American Rose Society is a non-profit, educational organization founded in 1892 to promote the culture, preservation and ap- preciation of the rose and to improve its standard of excellence for all people through education and research. Its headquarters is located in Shreveport, Louisiana, at the American Rose Center, home of “America’s Rose Garden.”
About the American Rose Center: The American Rose Center was established in 1974 and serves as the national headquarters site for the American Rose Society. “America’s Rose Garden” is the largest public garden in the United States dedicated to roses.
