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25.01.2022 Already the foliage is sprouting on my rose bushes and I love the freshness of those leaves. Pruning took place from mid June to halfway through July followed b...y some backbreaking weeding. I had to stagger this work to suit my physical condition. Big rains expected on Friday for a few days so Thursday Ill fertilise, put in some compost and Neutrog Cock n Bull, a little more Seamungus and some potash, and WhoFlungDung before the rain comes. Next week it will be time to mulch with some Lucerne hayto keep the moisture in the ground and the weeds down. Still waiting for two climbing roses from Treloar Roses - Dublin Bay to replace the plant I lost early in the year and Jasmina a beautiful climber Ive had my eye on. Then wait for the blooming See more

25.01.2022 We are so very sad to hear that Robert Curll passed away last night after a long illness. Robert had been a member and Chair of the Illawarra Region of the Ros...e Society for many years. May he Rest In Peace and Helen and the family be consoled. Colin Hollis wrote a little about Robert today: ROBERT CURLL It is with deep regret that I inform members that former Illawarra Chair Robert Curll passed away on Sunday evening October 18th. As well as Illawarra Chair and Illawarra Show Steward for many years. Robert was for some time a delegate to the State Council. As well as Roses, Robert was a keen exhibitor and Dahlia Judge, being several times State President of the Dahlia Society. He was also involved in Garden Clubs. Robert has not enjoyed good health during the past few years but always remained interested in Rose Society activities. He and Helen had moved to Quirindi earlier this year to be close to family. Illawarra members nominated Robert and Helen for the Garden Clubs of Australia (GCA) Ann Williams Medallion, which was presented to Helen in early July. Our sympathy goes to Helen and the family. Colin Hollis President, Rose Society of NSW Inc

25.01.2022 Southern Sydney Regional Rose Society held its third pruning day on Saturday 18 July at Woronora Memorial Garden. Colin Hollis was there and shared these photos - the roses have bloomed well under Southern Sydneys annual pruning and demonstration day

24.01.2022 STAY WITH US AND WATCH THE 2020 AWARDS ON 19 OCTOBER Next MONDAY, 19 OCTOBER, the National Rose Trial Garden of Australia will announce its 2020 Award winners. ...However, due to COVID-19, this will be done by ZOOM and streamed live on this our Facebook page. The awards will commence at 6.30 pm South Australia Central Summertime. Who will the winners be? Will Australia’s Rose of the Year be a Hybrid Tea, Floribunda, Miniature, Shrub or Climber? To get us all in the mood, we will celebrate some of the past winners over the coming week. The first winner to receive the coveted Australia’s Rose of the Year award presented in 2001 was PERFUME PERFECTION (JACshok), a lovely Floribunda rose with good repeat flowering, growth 1m x 1m, producing clusters of flowers with a wonderful fragrance. In 2005 a great Gold Medal winner was FIRE AND ICE (MEIsponge) a stunning bi-colour rose. Importantly, it has the ability to withstand very hot climates and very cold climates. Combine this with excellent disease resistance, especially to Powdery Mildew, and you have a very successful modern rose that has received awards in trials around the world. The classic shaped blooms have good form, with a light sweet floral fragrance. Compact bush 1m x 0.80m and quick to repeat flower in flushes. Reminder to Fertilise If you are in Australia, and you haven’t fertilized your roses yet, its not too late to apply Neutrog SUDDEN IMPACT FOR ROSES as a liquid or pellets, recommended by each State Rose Society and the National Rose Trial Garden.

24.01.2022 A promise fulfilled PLANTING OF ALLAN READ ROSES IN THE WOLLONGONG BOTANIC GARDENS Today we were thrilled to at last after four years of waiting, we planted some roses bred by our Illawarra and Shoalhaven rose Breeder - Allan Read, in the Botanic Gardens of Wollongong. The two roses were 3 bushes of Sarah Anne named after his wife, and six bushes of Shining Bride. Sarah Anne was the first registered Australian bred Miniflora and is a lovely pink rose with a sweet perfume. W...e were very grateful to Jim Cunningham for budding these roses and bringing them all the way down this morning. It was even more wonderful that Allan was able to enjoy the planting and could talk to us whilst seated with his fellow residents in front of the large screen at the Culburra Beach Retirement Centre. Our thanks to Pam for organising this. Thanks also to James Beattie from the Livings Collection Curator, to Daniel Bishop the Curator of the Gardens, to Karen Holmes responsible for parks who has been on the journey with us, and to Paul who helped us plant the roses. The Wollongong Botanic Garden is turning one half of the rose garden into an Australian bred rose garden and the other half will be European and others. They look forward to welcoming delegates to the Garden during the National Rose Championships in Kiama now postponed to October 2021 See more

24.01.2022 PEACE ROSE GARDEN AT RIBBONWOOD CENTRE DAPTO The seat has now been installed,the roses are blooming beautifully - waiting now for the refurbished plaque to be i...nserted in the seat and the little notice board about the garden placed ready. Then we will organise a special opening and a rose display along the verandah of Heininger House. All members of the public with some roses as well as members of the Rose Society are welcome to bring their rose(s) to share. Keep an eye out for the date See more

23.01.2022 Pink and white roses in the garden today

23.01.2022 URGENT- notice just received that Kiama Show has been cancelled URGENT- notice just received that Kiama Show has been cancelled

23.01.2022 The roses at Peace Park are looking wonderful after the pruning by the Illawarra Regional Rose Society members at the end of July. Take a visit to see your good... work. Thank you to Colin and Gordon for visiting the garden yesterday and watering the newly planted Sally Holmes rose and Colin for the photographs See more

23.01.2022 RSSA Inc. Spring 2020 Virtual Rose Show Rules Entries: Entries will be received from Australian growers during the week commencing Monday October 19th at 12.0...0 midday and will close on Saturday Oct 24th at 12.00 midday. Entries to be emailed to: [email protected] 1 entry per class permitted. Staging: Cut Flowers: All exhibits to be staged in bottles or vases as if prepared for a rose show. Any vase can be used and the use of 'Oasis' is optional. Floral Arrangement: Any queries can be answered by Joy Johnson Phone: 0418 895 438 Photos: Cut Flowers: 2 photos per stem/cut will be required, demonstrating both a frontal view and a top view of the exhibit. Entries should be date identified and the name of the variety stated. If the variety is unknown, please indicate Floral Arrangement : 1 photo which shows the complete design. Judging: Entries will be judged by SA’s premier judges. Publication of Results: Published on the RSSA Facebook page after judging has been completed. Winning photographs may be published in the RSSA quarterly Bulletin. Spring 2020 Show Schedule Cut Flowers A Grade 1. A - Exhibition Rose - 1 Stem. 2. A - Decorative Rose - 1 Stem. 3. A - Full Bloom Rose - 1 Stem. 4. A - Floribunda Rose - 1 Stem or Cut. 5. A - Shrub Rose - 1 Stem or Cut. 6. A - Miniature or Miniflora Rose - 1 Stem or Cut. 7. A - Any Other Type of Rose - Includes Polyantha, Old Garden, Species. 8. A - Multi Stem Exhibit - 3 Stems and / or Cuts. B Grade 9. B - Exhibition or Decorative Rose - 1 Stem or Cut. 10 B - Floribunda or Shrub Rose - 1 Stem or Cut. 11. B - Full Bloom Rose - 1 Stem. 12. B - Miniature or Miniflora Rose - 1 Stem or Cut. 13. B - Any Other Type of Rose - 1 Stem or Cut. Includes Polyantha, Old Garden, Species. 14. B - Multi Stem Exhibit - 3 Stems and / or Cuts. C - Novice Grade 15. C - Novice - Hybrid Tea Rose - 1 Stem or Cut. 16. C - Novice - Floribunda Rose - 1 Cut. 17. C - Novice - Any Red Rose - 1 Stem or Cut. 18. C - Novice - Any Yellow Rose - 1 Stem or Cut. 19. C - Novice - Multi Stem Exhibit - 3 Stems and / or Cuts. Open Grade 20. Open - A Bunch of Roses - 4 or more Stems and / or Cuts. Floral Arrangement A Grade 21. A - Tapestry - Arrangement must include at least one rose. B Grade 22. B - Tapestry - Arrangement must include at least one rose. C - Novice Grade 23. C - Novice - Pavé - Arrangement must include at least on See more

23.01.2022 A message from Jim Sproul, one of our wonderful rose breeders in California. It is just devastating the loss that they are experiencing there now. We do understand and grieve with them.

22.01.2022 Red roses in the garden today

22.01.2022 A beautiful sunny morning at Kiama Peace Park for pruning the roses today brought out 19 members and six visitors, three of whom were joining the Rose Society. ... We thoroughly enjoyed catching up with each other, demonstrating pruning techniques and providing information to th3 visitors and the members who were wanting to learn more. We planted the rose Sally Holmes (one of the roses in the World Federation Hall of Fame) in honour of our Patron Jill East who has always loved this rose. My thanks to Kathy from Austinmer who donated the rose from her garden to rescue it from the wind in the space where it was planted. We enjoyed the yummy melting moments with passion fruit icing made by our cook par excellence, Lorraine Vost, with a cup of coffee and tea. A short meeting later we discussed the future plans for the garden as many roses need to come out and others have died off. We are organising a team to keep an eye on the garden, organise working bees and we are approaching Kiama Council for collaboration. Some great ideas came up for the gard3n and we look forward to following them up. One idea is to hold our September meeting there to check the roses and discuss rose issues. We hope to make more use of the park in the future for demonstration purposes. WE HAD A FUN MORNING

22.01.2022 Sally Holmes is a beautiful shrub rose and one of those entered into the World Rose Hall of Fame. Kathy from Austinmer is digging it up from her garden this wee...kend because she can no longer keep it and would like to give it to someone who would like it. If you are interested could you please contact me on: [email protected] See more

22.01.2022 Spring Virtual Rose Show 2020 A Grade Results

21.01.2022 It has been my great privilege today Saturday August 8, to present the Life Membership certificate and medallion to Hunter. foundation member of 53 years Pat Williams Sincere congratulations Pat on this most well deserved award.

21.01.2022 Go to the link to join in at 7.00 pm in NSW

21.01.2022 Roses bred by the late Dr Bruce Chapman from Melbourne- Kilbreda and Flemington Racecourse.

21.01.2022 Congratulations to Richard and Ruth on the great achievement at the National Rose Trials and especially for the Best Australian Bred Rose, our favourite Dusky Moon which also achieved a Silver Medal.

20.01.2022 Todays roses. - mulched all the Rose beds yesterday and rain coming this weekend so some fertilising before the rain

20.01.2022 Congratulations to PatWilliams for being awarded life membership of the Rose Society of NSW. Pat and Harry were founding members of the zhunter ValleyRegion andPat has been a member for 52 years

20.01.2022 GROWING POTTED ROSES By Mark McGuire, Australia Please note that this is my preferred method of growing miniature or mini-...flora roses in pots. As I have had remarkable results over the last 25 years of growing, these methods that I suggest are worth trying. Before I go on any further there is no magic formula, be it soil mixtures, fertilizers or whatever. Rosarians still succumb to the belief that there is well I dont know of any! One should first of all pay particular attention to hygiene and safety. A face covering mask and gloves are essential as potting mix contains many organisms that are or can be detrimental to ones health. For best results a black plastic container of 400 mm or 16 inches is my preferred size. Yes, you can still use smaller pots; however the results will not be as good. If you were to drive around your suburb on rubbish collection day then maybe you can be lucky enough to acquire them for free. I have accumulated some 100 or more pots over the years this way. Make sure you thoroughly clean out the pots that you intend to use and that they have several weep holes so as the water can easily disperse. Otherwise the roots will become water logged and your bare rooted rose will suffer accordingly and perhaps soon die. Another good idea is to use a mesh or pieces of broken tiles or some such matter placed over the weep holes as this will stop your soil mixture leaching out the bottom. My preferred mixture is to use a high quality potting mix such as one of the better Debco products, costing around $12-$15 or so. This 30 litre bag usually contains Saturaid wetting agent, controlled release fertilisers, water retaining crystals, and combination of trace elements and growth stimulants. Sounds marvellous. Remember you only get what you pay for. You will notice on nearly all bags of Potting Mix on sale now have the Australian Standard Certificate printed on the bag, which is a rectangle of some 5 ticks on a red label for the premium mix which is what I suggest you use for best results. When you see 5 ticks on a black label means you are getting a standard type mixture. The larger Supermarkets sell these for around the $4-5 mark. So now you have your premium potting mix and from here I suggest you buy some premium garden soil. Mix together in approximately 50-50 proportions and add a few handfuls of the Neutrog product Seamungus, which is a blend of seaweed, fish, huric acid and manure. This is an Australian product and no doubt those living overseas can source a similar product. Next place your mixture in the pot leaving about a 100 mm gap between the top of the soil and the rim of the pot. Place in your bare rooted rose, or if taken from a smaller pot, check over the root system for any damage and if so trim back. Fan out the roots and place the plant into the soil making sure the bud union is slightly above the top of your soil mix. Over time the soil will descend in the pot. With limited pressure make sure the plant is sitting firmly in the centre of the container. Apply a couple of soakings of water and then add about 50mm of cow manure, making sure it is kept well away from the trunk of the rose, and then place on top of the manure as much Lucerne hay as the pot will allow without spilling all over your yard. Cow manure is by far the best to use and readily available whereas Lucerne hay (Alfalfa) is head and shoulders above any other mulch. So yes, during the growing season keep topping up your pots with these two products. Yes, you may have to pay a little extra with the results being worthwhile. Do not be misled by the Nurseries as they tend to steer you onto an alternate product which will be cheaper. No doubt you wish for results that are worthy of all your effort, so this is my recommendation. By using this method you will induce worms to multiply and greatly benefit your soil mix. Take note there is no soil in potting mixtures and therefore no worms. If your garden has an abundance of worms it will mean your soil is rich and productive and that is what you need in your pots. Pure garden soil in a pot would soon become too solid and detrimental to the growth of your plant. To stop your pot from overheating be sure your newly potted plant container is not making contact with the concrete or tiles underneath. Raise your pot by using a few small bricks or small terracotta feet that can readily be purchased in the Nurseries. Never place your pot in a saucer type dish that will retain water as this will also eventually lead to root rot. When do we need to feed? I suggest after potting/planting a good six months or so. Very little fertiliser is best. If the manufacturers recommend 100 grams then only apply about 20% of that every couple of months. I recommend that you use a liquid fertiliser rather than pellets or granules. Whatever you do, be sure to give the pot a good drenching before hand and a good soaking afterwards. Water is still the best fertiliser! If you wish to grow the bigger Floribundas or Hybrid tea roses then follow the same procedure as above. You will need to use a rather large pot something about the size of a half beer barrel, which is about 40 litres, (9 gallons). When do we re-pot? Rarely ever have I done so. None of my pots have been re potted over the last 25 years and yet my results are great, or so I think! It is necessary to water your pots every day and in really hot weather, twice per day. Dont be misled that when rain appears that your pots do not need wateringhow wrong can you be! The combination that I have recommended for your pots is best served by using a hand held rose wand making sure the water spreads all over the top of the pot. If you tend to use a drip type system you will soon notice that it tends to make what I refer to as ant tracks. Meaning the water flows down these little tracks without spreading over the whole mix, this is not what you want. The nutriments contained need a good soaking all the time. No, dont go looking for antsthis is just a saying. Recently on the ABC 702 gardening show a caller rang in with what I believed was this problem. She fertilised and watered regularly over the last few years and now all her leaves were falling off and die back was occurring. Yes, she said the water was running out the pot rather fast. I concluded that her watering was not making contact with the fertilisers she was using and subsequently a build-up of them was happening or perhaps the pots were becoming dry. Due to the fact that the plant could not take up all this accumulated food she was creating her own problems. Lastly you will need to check the pH of your potted soil every so often or if you suspect why the plant is not performing as it should. The ideal pH is 6.5 to 7. This is rather hard to accomplish as I have never been able to achieve a higher reading than 6.3. Below pH 7 the soil is acidic and roses best perform when so. Whilst above pH 7 the mix is considered alkaline. I have two different manufacturers pH kits so that I can compare my results. However I must admit they both give identical readings of the same soil. There are some rather inexpensive test kits available and they can last forever. Follow the instructions and if you are having a problem consult the horticulturist at your local nursery. In most cases when seeking advice always approach the top person in that particular field whether it is the exhibitor, judge, breeder, soil environmentalist or whoever. Most are only too willing to offer advice, so do not be afraid to ask. If you wish to become competitive by exhibiting in Shows then you have to devote much more time to your roses. People such as Roger Federer, or anyone else in their chosen field never became famous without going on and taking that extra step to achieve their goals. More effort will render better results. With winter pruning there is no right or wrong way. Prune high or low as the results will be nearly identical. Low pruning appears to give more water shoots whereas cutting higher tends to produce more flowers. Keep your bushes clear of deadwood and dieback during the growing season, whilst you must dead head regularly (removing spent blooms). They look good on the bush however they are detrimental to the future growth and reproduction of more flowers. Be aware some roses do not like pots. I have struck this problem on many occasions. Once placed out in the garden they have taken off and become Grand Champions!!

20.01.2022 Congratulations to Ralph and Roslyn Parsons from the Southern Highland Region of the Rose Society of NSW on your winning exhibit. You did us proud to both complete and win this section

19.01.2022 "Gardening requires lots of water...most of it in the form of perspiration" - Lou Erickson. To keep up to date with Neutrogs community news, inspirational s...tories from home gardeners, new product developments and the best products to use on which plants and when, join the Pooh Bah Club and well email you our monthly newsletter. Its free to join and you can unsubscribe at any time. We promise not to bombard you with emails! Click here to join: http://ow.ly/VqPl50zZxI7

19.01.2022 Winter is upon us, and for those who love to garden there is much to be done. Aside from the well-known winter jobs such as pruning and planting of bare rooted ...roses and deciduous trees and shrubs, there is still the soil to consider. In most areas of Australia theres not much happening above ground in your garden during the winter months, but theres still plenty happening below ground. Even soil microbes bacteria and fungi that live in the soil year round can be active in winter months. As the soil temperature drops bacterial and fungal activity decreases but it doesnt stop. According to Neutrogs Microbiologist and R&D Manager, Dr. Uwe Stroeher, For every 10C degree drop in temperature there is about a 2 to 3 fold reduction in the rate at which microbes work (much like your plants slowing down during winter), although the microbes will still break down organic matter and multiply in the soil. In addition, during the colder months, plants produce less sugars, so they cant afford to feed the soil microbes to the same degree, so everything in your soil slows down. Even so, the microbes still need a source of nitrogen and carbon, which is where Seamungus comes into its own. Click to read more> http://ow.ly/tRZG50A4FiW

19.01.2022 Tomorrow Thursday 10 September we will be planting roses bred by Allan Read a local rose Breeder at the Wollongong Botanic Gardens. You are welcome to come at 1...1.30 am standing at a social distance. Allan bred the first floribunda registered in Australia - Sarah Anne. Jim Cunningham had budded three of these bushes and six of Shining Bride to be planted in the Garden. We are collaborating with the Culburra Beach Retirement Centre where Allan is now a resident to have him participate in the event through FaceTime. See more

19.01.2022 About 14 more Roses pruned today and not many more to go - about 35 including potted roses. So these are the last of these roses. So not many in the garden now ...and it will be finishing this week then weeding and mulching next week Seamungus and WhoFlungDung Lucerne mulch and then wait for spring. See more

18.01.2022 COUNTDOWN TO 2020 AWARDS 5 DAYS TO GO WATCH THE 2020 AWARDS ON 19 OCTOBER After 24 years, the National Rose Trial Garden of Australia has certainly ‘come of... age’ and cemented its place among the top trial grounds in the world. The GOLD MEDAL winners are all great all-round performers in all seasons, being hardy with continuous flowering and excellent disease and pest tolerance. In 2005, ‘KNOCK OUT’ (RADrazz) earned a Gold Medal and was the first release of a new group of hardy, bullet proof low maintenance roses, bred by Will Radler in the USA, which have become very popular around the world. Vibrant deep pink in colour, this rose makes a spectacular display in parks and gardens. It is extremely hardy and disease resistant - particularly to Black Spot. It has a naturally compact and upright growth (90cm 120cm) with lightly fragrant, clusters of flowers blooming almost continuously from Spring to Autumn. This rose requires little maintenance and will drop spent flowers and bloom again without dead-heading the bush. PERFUME PASSION (KORpauvio) was the Gold Medal winner for 2012 and celebrated as Australia’s Rose of the Year. Bred by Kordes in Germany, it also received the Award for Most Fragrant Rose in the Trial. As its name suggests, this rose has seductive floral scent and classic, well-shaped rich pink flowers on a strong Hybrid Tea bush reaching 1.5m.

17.01.2022 An exciting day in the Rose Garden today. Weve been tracking down some of the harder-to-find Australian bred heritage roses in partnership with the The Rose S...ociety of NSW and their network of passionate rose lovers, some of who joined us in the gardens today. Two rose beauties have arrived today and set to flower next month and were kindly propagated by Jim and Patricia Cunningham. Jim also gave expert onsite planting advice today and kept us all on our toes Both were bred by Allan Read of the Illawarra and Shoalhaven, with Rosa Sarah Anne (named after his wife), being the very first miniflora rose bred in Australia in 1996, and Rosa Shining Bride a miniature rose bred in 2000. Allan Read has a long history and passion in breeding prize-winning roses and was the President of the National, State and Illawarra Rose Societies in the 1990s. Allan was not able to join us in person but luckily he could FaceTime with us to plant his wonderful roses. Colin Hollis President and Kristin Dawson Secretary of the Rose Society of the NSW have been a great help throughout sourcing these and many other roses and were able to help us coordinate the planting today to secure these roses in our collection.

16.01.2022 Today members of the Illawarra Regional Rose Society met at Peace Park to meet and to pay tribute to RobertCurll who passed away on Sunday 18 October. Robert sp...ent many a day in the garden at Peace Park ensuring the roses were maintained. Colin Hollis planted the Elina Rose in memory of Robert and Hans Van de Haar spoke on behalf of Helen and the family. Robert had a particular love for Elina and chose it as the signature rose for the region and the name of the regional newsletter. A light shower of rain came down on us during the planting. Later we met to share ideas and to follow up the development of a team of volunteers, Friends of Peace Park, to assist with the maintenance of the Rose Garden in collaboration with Kiama Council. We had ten sign up today and others waiting who could not come today so we should have a very viable team. We shared the magnificent roses members brought, fertilised the roses in the Park and then lots of talk as we gathered to have afternoon tea. We can imagine Robert joining us in spirit in the garden he loved. See more

16.01.2022 Spring Virtual Rose Show 2020 Open Class Results

16.01.2022 We believe that plants are like humans, in that a regular source of nutrition year-round is much better than one big feed in spring. Proof of this is evident in... the beauty and health of the gardens that are fed year-round rather than once a year simply because the plants are getting a regular source of nutrition. Flemington Racecourse is no exception - the staff apply various Neutrog products at least once in each season. Weve been chatting with Mick Ryan, who is Senior Manager of Grounds and Gardens at the famous racecourse. Hes been spreading about 2,000kg of Seamungus on the 16,500 roses recently. Clearly the sap has stopped flowing in the roses, theyre not growing or flowering, so why do the plants need the nutrition? We apply Seamungus in winter to condition the soil said Mick. He then had a huge belly laugh and said I think of it as like using conditioner on your hair because you want lovely bouncy hair, and Seamungus makes the soil bounce. In complete seriousness though, the soil needs nutrition over winter and I am also ensuring that our soils are biologically active. This means that the roses will take off incredibly well when we apply our first feed of Sudden Impact for Roses in spring. I wouldnt even consider not treating the soil over winter concluded Mick. And there, dear readers pardon the pun but you have it from the horses mouth. About Seamungus Seamungus is a soil and plant conditioner, manufactured by combining the very best of composted raw materials seaweed, fish, humic acid and manure. It is also a health tonic and planting food for all plants including natives, lawns and bare-rooted roses. Most importantly, the resultant product retains the microbiology necessary for a living product. Seamungus will help your plants resist heat, drought and frost, along with pests and disease. www.neutrog.com.au

15.01.2022 The pruning continues and Im just over half done now. I still have a big weeding job to do yet. Just gathering a few of the roses left on the pruned bushes

15.01.2022 VALE BARBARA SNOWBALL - Member of the Central Coast-Lake Macquarie Region of the Rose Society of NSW So sad to hear today that Barbara Snowball passed away on 1st January. Barbara has been a member of the Rose Society for many years first in the Hunter Valley Region and then joining the Central Coast-Lake Macquarie Region at its inaugural meeting in March 2017. This was closer to her home. Barbara had also been very active not only in the Rose Society but also in the local garden club. Barbara was a renowned gardener who grew not only magnificent roses but loved and grew plants of all kinds. She will be sadly missed by her family and the members of the Rose Society particularly in her local region. Our condolences to all and May Barbara Rest In Peace

14.01.2022 The Wollongong Botanic Gardens are organising two beds of Australian bred roses. We are about to plant some of Allan Reads Roses in early August, and hope Alla...n,a local and retired Breeder of Roses, will be able to come to the planting, though difficult to know at this stage of Covid-19. The Gardens also would like a section for Australian women rose Breeders and Ive been unable to find a Marguerite Parkes rose for them. If anyone has or knows of a Marguerite Parkes rose(s) they would be happy to contribute or any other Rose by an Australian woman rose Breeder the Gardens would love to have one for this section. See more

12.01.2022 In a lovely gesture, Jo Babb ,Secretary of Southern Highlands Rose Society had a bunch of the Rose Little Susie, at their meeting today in memory of the late Sue Kingsford, the Rose was named for Sue

11.01.2022 The promise of spring - buds are appearing on my rose bushes

11.01.2022 COUNTDOWN TO 2020 AWARDS 3 DAYS TO GO WATCH THE 2020 AWARDS ON 19 OCTOBER As we celebrate past winners, today we feature the BACK TO BACK GOLD MEDALS FOR R...OSE BREEDER CHRIS WARNER AND HIS FASHIONABLE ‘EYE’ ROSES. In 2015, a Gold Medal was awarded to a pink Shrub Rose (code CHEWsumsigns) bred by Chris Warner in the UK, subsequently released in Australia and named ‘BRIGHT AS A BUTTON’. This rose was one of the new group of roses with an ‘eye’ in the centre, fragrant and free-flowering. Representing a generational change in roses, their development resulted from 40 years of work and good judgment to produce a wonderful new rose plant. This winning rose is one of a series of roses using the plant genus known as Hulthemia Persica (syn. Rosa Persica) resulting in a dark spot at the base of each petal, reminiscent of oriental poppies and tree peonies. This new Persica line has become an international sensation. In 2016, the top prize, the ‘Marion de Boehme Award’ for the Best Rose of the Trial and Gerald Meylan Perpetual Trophy for Best Groundcover and a Gold Medal was awarded to ‘EYE SHADOW’ (Code CHEWsumstar), also bred by Chris Warner. EYE SHADOW is a low maintenance Groundcover rose with colour, scent, prolific flowering and tough, healthy foliage and vigorous growth. After 30 years of selective breeding, Chris Warner has earned a global reputation for his breeding program and collection of beautiful roses. See more

11.01.2022 Summer holidays in the garden can be such a lovely time, but for those with roses, it is also the time when keeping an eye out for aphids is important. These pe...sts can multiply quickly but there is one visitor to the garden who can help. Lady Bugs, Lady Birds or Lady Beetles, no matter what you call them, they are one of our gardens greatest allies! So to celebrate the time of year when you might spy these distinctive creatures in your garden, we thought we'd share some fun facts AND a fun snack idea for kids on holidays. There are over 5,000 individual species found all over the world. Many cultures believe them to be good luck (if you can get one to walk across your left palm, it is meant to bring you $$$!). They can reach a top speed of 24km per hour! Some are yellow with black spots, some have no spots at all. They can grow up to 1cm in length. Their lifespan is between 1-2 years. And....(now you'll really love them)... Just ONE ladybug will eat over 5,000 aphids a year!!!! Growing roses successfully is such an enjoyable part of gardening and ladybugs are natures way of encouraging healthy roses who aren't being hampered by aphids. We can also support our roses by regular fertilising throughout the year and checking for aphids regularly during spring and summer. To find out more about our rose fertiliser head to, https://neutrog.com.au/2019/08/19/sudden-impact-for-roses/ or look up one of our endorsing rose societies. The Rose Society of Victoria Inc. The Rose Society of Victoria Inc. Heritage Roses in Australia Inc. Rose Society of South Australia inc. The Rose Society of NSW Queensland Rose Society Inc. The Rose Society of WA South West Rose Society Inc. National Rose Society of Australia Inc

11.01.2022 A visit to the Wollongong Botanic Garden today to see how the roses planted on 10 September were faring. These roses were bred by local rose breeder Allan Read ...and propagated by Jim Cunningham who came down to guide the planting. The Botanic Garden is looking wonderful at the moment and well worth a visit See more

11.01.2022 The very last rose in my garden before being pruned tomorrow, The Childrens Rose.

11.01.2022 Beautiful rain today on the garden. It was a strenuous day yesterday with fertilising with Sudden Impact and soil conditioning with Neutrog Seamungus and Dolomi...te, mulching with WhoFlungDung and CocknBull as well as fertilising the lawn with Sudden Impact for Lawns, and some Bush Tuvker. At least the basement has been cleared a lot more now. Im fertilising earlier because there is now a lot of foliage on the rose bushes. Just waiting now for spring and lots of rose blooms #neutrog See more

10.01.2022 NOTE THAT THE ALBION PARK SHOW HAS BEEN CANCELLED FOR THIS YEAR. SADLY THIS HAS BEEN TWO YEARS IN A ROW NOW- At this stage the Kiama Show is to take place for one day only on 23rd January. The rose schedule is available on the Kiama Show website on page 23 of the Pavilion schedule

10.01.2022 Rubens, Tea rose, (1859) quietly blooming away this Spring. After the rain I must remember to give him a good dollop of cow manure from the paddock next door!! ...Actually, that’s what all the roses in the heritage gardens will be getting after the rains! #gardenchores #tearoses #heritageroses #springblooms #countrygardenroses #noartificialfertilisers @ Belli Park See more

09.01.2022 Spring Virtual Rose Show 2020 Floral Art Results

09.01.2022 Only about 15 mrs rose bushes left to prune now and then weeding after next weeks predicted deluge. IceGirl is still quite floriferous. Its supposed to be a h...ybrid tea but grows huge like a shrub rose with several canes and at least 2.5 metres tall. The blooms are beautiful though and very fragrant and like the name quite likes winter See more

09.01.2022 ROSES FREE TO WHOEVER WOULD LIKE THEM Deb from Richmond has about five roses now in pots that she is looking for a home for. There is a Double Delight, one she believes to be a Queen Elizabeth and two other unnamed pink roses. There also is a rather rare Comtesse Vandal which is no longer commercially available and is about 60 years old. If anyone is interested, Deb suggests that a van would be needed to pick up the roses. Contact The Secretary. Rose Society of NSW. [email protected] if you wish to avail yourself of these roses. https://www.helpmefind.com/rose/l.php?l=2.1284

09.01.2022 At last all roses pruned and sprayed with lime sulphur, except for one I missed. I gave all roses some Seamungus for the soil just before the rain. Today weeded... one bed and cursed the grass that crept in. Hopefully all beds weeded by the end of the week and then next week mulching with WhoFlungDung and some dolomite. Late August some fertiliser and some Lucerne mulch to keep the soil cool for summer. The soil is looking very loamy after ten years of compost, mulch and manure. The roses are the last of my roses before pruning - two of Allan Reads roses - Sarah Anne and Penny Girl, some Figurine mini rose and Red Pierre. Looking forward to my new arches built by local member Bart Lago who has an engineering business. Then a rest before the workings of Spring See more

09.01.2022 Cultural Notes December/January Southern Sydney Region Due to a very frustrating and unusual year, most of us have had time to appreciate our gardens. You may... have done a little garden renovation or bought new plants or just appreciated how your plants have grown. I think so far spring and early summer has been wonderful. The lovely warm days and the odd nice shower of rain has given our roses some fantastic growth. I’ve found in particular some roses have been very productive and water shoots have been a great sight as they will be your future stems giving you flowers. Dead head your roses as the flower fades, down a few leaf nodes to a five leaf leaflet will be sufficient. Even with rain around deep watering should continue to take place and keeping up your mulch around your bushes will help lock in nutrients, keep ground moist and keep weeds at bay. Whoflungdung is the best mulch I believe. I spread some around my dahlias today and use it on both potted roses and ones in the ground. I’ve cut my need to weed by over half as well as my need to add fertiliser. Apply 25mm-100mm thick and minimum 50mm away from the base of stem. Water in well with Gogo Juice and you’ve given the mulch the best start to do it’s thing by the micro organisms in the Gogo juice and will also add health to your soil and the worms. I love my liquids and keeping the plants hydrated and topped up with nutrients is easiest done by applying a liquid and Seamungus liquid is what I use once a month. I’ve even been using it as a foliar spray. I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas spent with Family and Friends and let’s hope 2021 will be back to normal. Remember to post your rose photos to our Facebook page. Search (Southern Sydney Rose Society) or email them to Lyndall or myself. Happy rose growing and any questions please ask. Yours in roses, Braidan Swan Photo: Miniature rose: Jean Kennelly grown and displayed by Braidan Swan.

09.01.2022 The roses are blooming away as the sun opens their buds. Watering deeply is important at the moment as the weather and ground is dry. A few bugs are starting to appear as well

08.01.2022 Roses in the garden today- enjoying the spring sunshine after the rain

08.01.2022 The executive of Southern Sydney today at Loftus Rural Fire Brigade today at the pruning of the 3 firefighter roses and planting of one more the regional meet a...t the hall next door and Neutrog orders are done in the compound of the station. L-R Lyndall Turner (secretary), Albert Knorr (chairperson), Braidan Swan (treasurer and show bench coordinator). #neutrog Neutrog Photo Colin Hollis

08.01.2022 A quick visit to the Peace Garden at Ribbonwood Centre today the seat now has the plaque inserted and the management is preparing a small noticeboard about story of the garden. The roses are growing very well though I need to go and do another deadhead.

08.01.2022 There are loads of buds on the rose bushes now and even a few blooms are out. Its been quite dry for more than a week now with strong winds that have dried out... the soil. So a good deep watering of the pots and bushes today. There is even to my disappointment some signs of Blackspot already. Usually the powdery mildew comes first. So a spray of Seaweed mixture and some GoGo Juice to bolsters the cell walks of the leaves and then the next day some Wettable Sulphur to try to stop the blackspot from getting away. After the predicted rain Ive to put out the mulch to keep the moisture in and the soil cool. However the foliage still looks radiantly beautiful in spite of the few leaves with the fungus. Not long now until a burst of roses See more

08.01.2022 Pruning of the Firefighter roses at Loftus

08.01.2022 Perched amongst granite rocks on the foothills of Mount Alexander in Victoria sits Mica Grange, with its stunning panoramic views across the Sutton Grange valle...y. Mica Grange is a 40 hectare property and the pride and joy of Mary and Bede Gibson. Fourteen years ago, Mary and Bede had just sold their house in Sydney when they received a phone call from their daughter asking them if they would look after Mica Grange while she resettled in Melbourne. Reluctantly they agreed, but only on the basis that it would be for no longer than a year. Instead, they fell in love with the property, purchased it and set out on a project to create a studio/catering facility and a vast garden using the contours of the land. We wanted the garden to feature the many granite boulders surrounding the house said Mary. Finding soil gaps between the granite was a daunting task, as in many spots we would hit rock just a few centimetres below the surface. We just kept following the contours and expanding the gardens until they surrounded the house. The garden starts with a fairy garden followed by a terraced garden featuring mixed plantings of roses, perennials and ground covers, all mingling happily together beneath a majestic 200 year-old Yellow Box gum tree. Expansive lawns and trees surround the gardens. A sunlit studio which can cater for up to 50 guests sits amongst the lawns. This is used for art and craft workshops, special occasion celebrations, lunches and teas. Close by is the orchard, a large raised vegetable and herb garden and a large Protea garden featuring several huge King Whites. The 350 plus roses are a feature of our garden, so when some 3 years ago a friend suggested I use Neutrogs Sudden Impact to enhance the blooms, I gave it a try said Mary. The result has been thrilling. I feed them in autumn and spring and achieve 3 to 4 flushes each season. A huge attraction at Mica Grange is their spring and autumn Open Garden Sculpture Exhibition. Some 16 sculptors exhibit new works each season, which is complemented by lots of garden art, preserves and plants. Information on opening dates and group bookings can be found on their website www.micagrange.com or follow them on Facebook and Instagram @micagrange. About Sudden Impact for Roses - ideal for all flowering and fruiting plants (not just roses), Sudden Impact for Roses combines the best of both worlds. Its organic base provides a full range of plant nutrients in a slow release form, whilst the carefully selected water-soluble nutrients have been added to maximise the performance of each application. Sudden Impact for Roses is endorsed and recommended by the Rose Society of South Australia inc.., the South West Rose Society, the National Rose Society of Australia Inc, Heritage Roses in Australia Inc., The Rose Society of WA, The Rose Society of NSW, The Rose Society of Victoria Inc. and the Queensland Rose Society Inc.. www.neutrog.com.au

07.01.2022 Our thanks go to Gavin Woods, Rose Society of South Australia inc. Immediate Past President and Life Member, for these great tips to follow during September. Th...e experts assure us that a wetter than usual spring is still possible, however rainfall thus far on the Yorke Peninsula has been disappointing. With days warming our roses have well and truly sprung into growth and before we know it there will be flowers everywhere! Click to read more > http://ow.ly/PQvx50BtbzC About Sudden Impact for Roses - ideal for all flowering and fruiting plants (not just roses), Sudden Impact for Roses combines the best of both worlds. Its organic base provides a full range of plant nutrients in a slow release form, whilst the carefully selected water-soluble nutrients have been added to maximise the performance of each application. Sudden Impact for Roses is endorsed and recommended by the Rose Society of South Australia inc., the South West Rose Society, the National Rose Society of Australia Inc, Heritage Roses in Australia Inc., The Rose Society of WA , The Rose Society of NSW , The Rose Society of Victoria Inc. and the Queensland Rose Society Inc. Users of Sudden Impact for Roses consistently report an increase in the number of flowers, an increase in the quality of individual blooms, continued general plant vigour and sturdy growth, and an improvement in the health of the plants, with increased resistance to fungal disease such as black spot, rust and powdery mildew, resulting in a marked reduction in the need for preventative spraying by up to two thirds. Photo credit: Melanie Trimper for Rose of the month HI HO Climbing miniature

07.01.2022 Yellows and oranges in the garden today

06.01.2022 VALE SUE KINGSFORD OAM ARA It is with great sadness we inform all those who love roses and have known Sue Kingsford who passed away last night after a recent i...llness. Sue has been at the forefront in many ways as a lover and promoter of all roses heritage and modern and a great friend to all. In the most recent decades she has been the Manager of the wonderful nursery that stocked roses that were very hard to find, - Roses and Friends, at Fitzroy Falls NSW. She has held many positions over the decades at National, State and local levels as a service to Rose Society Members, and at this time was the Chair of the Southern Highlands branch of Heritage Roses, having convened not long ago a very successful National Heritage Rose Conference in the Highlands. There is so much more to say about Sue and she will be greatly missed. May she Rest In Peace Some photos of moments in Sues life

05.01.2022 FINAL 2020 MEETING AND CELEBRATION FOR SOUTHERN HIGHLANDS REGION It was a most enjoyable last meeting and Christmas celebration time in the Southern Highlands today. Twenty gathered initially at the Secretary, Jo’s home and then moved on for lunch at the Treasurer,Annettes home. Their gardens are beautiful and the roses exceptional - thank you to Joan’s Annette for your warm hospitality.

05.01.2022 PEACE ROSE GARDEN AT DAPTO RIBBONWOOD CENTRE After more than a year waiting because of the roadworks interrupting the plan we have finally planted the roses in ...the newly refurbished garden The garden had been established through members of the Illawarra Region in 1995 to commemorate 75 years remembrance of World War 1. The garden had fallen into disrepair over the years and needed refurbishing. Seven members of the Illawarra Region gathered once again to replant the roses and a solid effort was put in. We hope to once again have an opening when the roses are blooming in October and perhaps a display of roses from members gardens.#neutrog See more

05.01.2022 Spring Virtual Rose Show 2020 B Grade Results

04.01.2022 Congratulations to Robert and Helen Curll on being awarded the GCA Ann Williams Clark Medallion presented today at a simple ceremony at Walsh Park Jamberoo. He...len stopped by on her way back to Quirindi where Robert is now in residential care. About 20 members of the Illawarra Region of the Rose Society gathered for the ceremony. The State President of the Rose Society of NSW, Colin Hollis presided and we were very pleased to have Graham Bevan, the Zone Coordinator for the Southern Illawarra Region of Garden Clubs of Australia present as a special guest. Kristin Dawson,the Chair of the Illawarra Region of the Rose Society presented the Medallion on behalf of the Region. The Illawarra Regional Committee nominated Helen and Robert because of their outstanding service to the Region through their promotion of the rose and the many activities associated with rose growing and showing. They both also made a great contribution to the Dahlia Society and the Kiama Garden Club. The nomination was approved by both the Awards Committee of the RSNSW and GCA. Our thanks to those members who were able to attend and to Graham Bevan for coming on behalf of GCA

04.01.2022 Hellebores also known as the Winter Rose

03.01.2022 COUNTDOWN TO 2020 AWARDS 6 DAYS TO GO WATCH THE 2020 AWARDS ON 19 OCTOBER Today we are celebrating two great winners from 2010 POPE JOHN PAUL II (JACsegr...a) A gold medal winner and named Australian Rose of the Year in 2010, Best Hybrid Tea and Most Fragrant Rose. Among the finest white roses ever, the Pope John Paul II produces large pristine blooms with a delightful citrus fragrance. Perfume in white roses is quite rare. It has upright and vigorous growth to 1.5m and superior disease tolerance. ORIGAMI (MEImozahiq) This beautiful white and red Floribunda, bred by Meilland in France, received a Gold Medal in 2010. It features large (40 petals) blooms produced in small clusters. It is a healthy, vigorous upright bush up to 1.8m and blooms in flushes throughout the season. Well named ‘Origami’ due to its distinctive and unusual petal shape and formation. See more

03.01.2022 A few of our Committee members visited this nursery at Kenthurst today for a "walk around" with owner Mark Massey who is a keen a advocate of Australian Bred Roses. There were an amazing collection of other rare and unusual plants there also. An enjoyable couple of hours spent there.

03.01.2022 Peace Park roses looking good

03.01.2022 Some well-deserved wins . . . Olivia Rose Austin named Australia’s Rose of the Year at the 2020 National Rose Trial Garden Awards. An amazing rose, David Austi...n’s favourite of all time maybe? And, Dusky Moon won Australian Bred Rose of the Year. One of Brian’s favourites, intense fragrance and colour Find them both at Wagner’s online: https://www.wagnersrosenursery.com.au

02.01.2022 Anthony’s new seedling is beautiful

02.01.2022 Southern Highland Rose Society held their first ( Covid spaced ) Meeting since last February,. today Wednesday October 21 at the Southern Highlands Botanic Gardens. Members enjoyed the ability to meet and share their roses in the sunshine.

02.01.2022 The TA Stewart Memorial Award is presented to a person deemed by the Contributor Societies as having given outstanding service to the Rose in Australia and New ...Zealand. It is managed by the Rose Society of Victoria-and awarded annually. We congratulate Jim Cane our dedicated Treasurer of the National Rose Society of Australia on receiving the T A Stewart Memorial Award. This was announced at the AGM of the NRSA. Being held as a Zoom meeting unfortunately the Award Trophy could not be presented to Jim in person and will be presented to him at the NRSA official dinner in Kiama 2021. The Trophy was held up by Sandra Turner the President of the Rose Society of Victoria for all to see during the meeting. RSV administers this Award. Jim has held the position of Treasurer since 2001 and has improved systems for financial management over this time. Jim is a Churchill fellow having studied Botanic Gardens management at Kew Gardens in 1996. He was employed at the Royal Botanic Gardens in Tasmania for 36 years including a period of time when he was the Acting Director. Jim also held positions in the Rose Society of Tasmania including Secretary, and was the Vice President of the NRSA in 1994 and National President in 1996. When the RST disbanded in 1999 Jim became a member of the Rose Society of South Australia. Jim has been actively in horticultural and rose activities in Tasmania as a judge, in tending the Rose Garden of the local Catholic Church and his own extensive rose garden. Jim has contributed to the australian Rose Annual and participated in WFRS International Conventions over the years. Jim is most deserving of this Award

02.01.2022 The Awards Presentation can be viewed here