Calendar of Events

July 6:

Dr. Steven George to speak to Fort Worth Rosarians

• Event: Fort Worth Rose Society Regular meeting.
• Time:6:30 p.m. for social. 7 p.m. for meeting.
• Place: Camellia Room, Fort Worth Botanic Gardens, 3220 Botanic Garden Blvd., Fort Worth, Texas 76107.
• Topic: Earth-Kind Roses.
• Speaker: Dr. Steve George, National Coordinator, Earth-Kind Environmental Landscape Management Program, Texas A&M University.

Dr. Steven George - Dr. Steven George is a native of Oklahoma and obtained a Bachelor of Science in Zoology and a Master of Science in Horticulture from Oklahoma State University. He then received a Ph.D. in Plant Pathology from North Carolina State University. 

Since 1988, Dr. George has served as a Landscape Horticulture Specialist for Texas AgriLife Extension, and is headquartered at the Texas A&M Research and Extension Center in North Dallas. Dr. George has created and serves as National Coordinator of the EarthKind® Environmental Landscape Management Program.

 

No regular rose society meeting in July

Wine and Cheese Garden Party

July 18:

• Event: Wine, Cheese, and Art Garden Party.
• Date: July 18
• Time: 3 p.m. to 6 p.m.
• Location: Mary Truelove's home, 4436 Red Barn Dr. Richardson, TX 75082 (click for map)
• Bring: Wine or Cheese.
• RSVP: (972) 235-2415.
• Mary's fine arts studio will be open for touring.

Is this Mary's studio?

No regular meeting in August

Sept. 3:

• Topic: Color-based Landscapes.
• Speaker: Carolyn Hayward.
• Location: Quad C.

Oct. 16-17:

RoseDango 2010

The third annual RoseDango is set to celebrate the ultimate landscape plant Oct. 16 and 17 in the Rose Gardens of Farmers Branch and the Chambersville Heritage Rose Garden.

These two undiscovered garden gems located in the Dallas Metroplex will host this two-day festival. While Rosie is the official hostess, the event will appeal to all gardeners and plant enthusiasts as many different educational opportunities and entertainment venues are offered. This year the event will include a bluegrass festival and wine tastings spotlighting local vineyards.

The Rose Gardens of Farmers Branch includes gardens for all including the National EarthKind Trial Rose Garden. One hundred different cultivars are being evaluated in a program that partners the Texas AgriLife Extension Service with four countries, seven universities and twenty seven states. Set out in four randomized replicated plots, the gently sloping garden in Gussie Field Watterworth Park along Rawhide Creek entices the visitor with an abundance of blooms, colors and scents. The most amazing aspect of these roses that one can get lost amongst is that these are being grown without any soil amendments, fertilizers or sprays. You soon realize that you too can add this ultimate landscape plant to your own landscape and be successful with roses!

If however you long for the long-stem topped with a high center perfectly formed rose, don’t despair. The adjoining All America Rose Selection (AARS) Display Garden will bring an ahhh… to the lips. Included are award winners from the 1950s to the present. A selection of David Austin roses and miniature roses rounds out the gardens.

Following a creek side path to the west will bring the visitor to an opening that is home to one of the 23 AARS Test Gardens in the United States. Here the like of Jackson Perkins and Weeks test their unreleased roses. Here one can be among the first to fall in love with next year’s award winner. In the midst of the roses, numerous daylilies and seasonal annuals provide a welcome diversity to the garden.

A short walk across the creek, the American Rose Society Award of Excellence Test Garden delights with the dainty blossoms of miniature roses. Once again the visitor is treated to a viewing of unreleased rose.

Continuing along the path, a butterfly garden of both nectar and larval host plants attract a multitude of colorful wings. The landscape then transitions to a woodland setting where roses climb through the hedges and birds serenade with their song. It is easy to reflect on the variety of roses and landscape plants that have been viewed to do some mental landscaping within one’s own garden.

The path soon emerges into a neighborhood and the Historical Park. The 27 acres trace more than the 168 years of proud Farmers Branch Heritage. Nestled in the park in the front lawn of the 1885 Queen Anne Victorian Cottage is the Ruthan Rogers Memorial Rose Garden. Planted with roses appropriated to the Victorian era, this garden is a fully integrated EarthKind demonstration garden. Take a moment to reflect under the Reve d’Or covered arbor and be transported to a slower time and contemplate the grounds.

Moving north to Chambersville and the Chambersville Heritage Rose Garden, the visitor experiences roses growing in a pastoral setting where each rose can grow to their magnificence.  Dean and Carol Oswald donated the use of this land to preserve and present this collection of noisettes, teas, chinas and ramblers. Dedicated in October of 2006 this garden has matured into unique garden showcasing the plants in a rural setting dotted with large pecan trees similar to the setting where many of the roses were discovered by the Texas Rose Rustlers in the 1970s and 1980s. These roses as are all the roses found on site are being grown utilizing 100 percent organic methods.

Also located on this beautiful site is the recently dedicated Legacy of Legends Rose Garden. This is a collection of modern roses, including the most complete collection of Dr. Griffith Buck roses outside of The University of Iowa, all EarthKind, EarthKind Southern Brigade, EarthKind National Brigade, a complete collection of Bill Radler’s “Knockout” series, Mike Shoup’s Pioneer collection, and a selection of David Austin Roses that are adapted to the Metroplex area.

RoseDango is much more than a celebration of these gardens and the ultimate landscape plant. There are many opportunities to expand your general garden knowledge. Topics include rainwater harvesting, companion plants, floral design, water conservation and native plants. As an added attraction this year, RoseDango is a component of Bloomin Bluegrass a two day music festival in Farmers Branch. In Chambersville, local wineries will present their wines for tasting and enjoyment while touring the gardens. For the latest information on programming and where to stay visit RoseDango.com.

Nov. 6:

• To be announced

June 4:

• Time: 7 p.m. with a social time beginning at 6:30 p.m.
• Topic: Herbs and Roses: A Winning Combination.
• Speaker: Mary Buchanan , Dallas County Master Gardener.
• Location: Room B-124 of Collin College, 2800 East Spring Creek Parkway, Plano.  
• More Information: Call 972-403-0027 for more information.