February Rose Growing Notes

by Marty Reich, Master Rosarian, Editor of the Rose Leaf

Unpruned climber on trellis
Unpruned climber on trellis
Something you will want to do in February is to prune your David Austin roses. Dr. Rankin, who was a member for many years and grew a huge number of them, gave this advice: Prune and feed them in mid-February. Since I started doing this, it has seemed to make a difference from the years I waited until late March.

Continue reading “February Rose Growing Notes”

March 1, 2:00 pm – Nashville Lawn & Garden Show Interactive Workshop

Secrets to Growing Beautiful Roses

Nashville Lawn and Garden Show

Tennessee’s largest and most popular gardening event will return February 28 – March 3, 2019, at The Fairgrounds Nashville. On Friday, March 1, at 2:00 pm, the Nashville Rose Society with host an interactive workshop on the secrets to growing beautiful roses.

Learn everything you need to know to grow beautiful roses in Tennessee from this interactive workshop designed to introduce rose care to the beginner or novice – from preparing your soil and selecting and planting your roses to watering, fertilizing, spraying and pruning. The workshop is conducted by Ron Daniels, Co-President of the Nashville Rose Society and a Master Rosarian. Ron will share his proven techniques for growing and caring for roses that have enabled him to win numerous awards as an exhibiting rosarian at local and regional rose shows. Ron will be joined by other members of the Nashville Rose Society who will be available to answer all your rose growing questions.

“The Nashville Rose Society is excited to participate in this year’s Nashville Lawn & Garden Show, said Ron Daniels. It’s an opportunity for us to share our passion for growing roses with people from across Tennessee. Roses have a reputation for being “fussy” and challenging to grow. I hope folks will come to the Lawn and Garden Show to be inspired and to learn that anyone can grow beautiful roses.”

Door prizes will be awarded to attendees who hold the winning tickets from a drawing that will take place during the workshop. In addition, all attendees will receive a copy of Ron’s presentation as well as a complimentary packet of information and tips for growing healthy roses.

Visit www.nashvillelawnandgardenshow.com for more information.


February 23 – Hands on Pruning Demonstration from 10:00-12:00

It is time to start planning to prune the roses for their new spring growth. The first Pruning Workshop will be held on Saturday, February 23, at Lynda and Gordon McClellan’s garden near Opryland from 10-12 PM. New members will have a chance to have hands-on experience with trimming roses by learning from experienced rosarians.

The garden is located at 2615 Davidwood Court, Nashville 37214. For more information, call Marty Reich at 615-833-0791 or 615-319-9487. Learn more about pruning roses here.


April 2 6:00-8:00pm – Vendor Night, Speaker Jeffery Ezell, The Compost Company

Vendor Night will be held from 6:00 – 8:00 PM in Botanic Hall at Cheekwood.
Click here for a list of vendors and order forms to download and send to Gary Spencer by March 20.

Minnie Pearl
Minnie Pearl, a miniature rose with a classic hybrid tea shape.
Minnie Pearl and other miniature rose varieties are available for purchase as part of the Nashville Rose Society’s annual vendor night fundraiser. To learn what other varieties are available and to preorder, contact Larry and Connie DeWitt Baird. You do not have to be a member of NRS in order to purchase.

At 7:00pm, our speaker will be Jeffrey Ezell, Co-Owner and Products and Business Development at The Compost Company. Jeffery is a SWANA certified Compost Facility Manager, active member of the US Compost Council, and currently serves as Vice President of the Tennessee Recycling Coalition. Prior to working with The Compost Company, Jeffrey served as Recycling Coordinator for Metro Nashville Public Works, working to grow and support composting projects at schools, community centers, businesses, and homes. He also served as coordinator and instructor for the Davidson County Master Composter Class. Jeffrey holds a bachelor’s degree in Geology from the University of Georgia.


The mission statement of The Compost Company is to create a more sustainable future by removing organic waste from landfills and returning it to the soil. They produce the highest quality organic soil and mulch products for farmers, gardeners and landscapers. For more information on The Compost Company, visit www.compostcompany.com.