One of the World’s Leading Breeders of Roses to Speak at Belmont University

For Immediate Release
September 26, 2018

Christian Bedard, Research Director and Licensing Manager, Weeks Roses
On October 21, 2018, Christian Bedard, one of the foremost breeders of roses in the world, will speak at Belmont University at an event hosted by the Nashville Rose Society. The event will be held from 2:00-5:00 p.m. in the Frist Lecture Hall, which is located in the Gordon E. Inman Center atBelmont University, 1515 Wedgewood Ave, Nashville, TN 37212. Parking and admission to the event are both FREE to the public.

Christian is currently Research Director and Licensing Manager for Weeks Roses in Pomona, California, one of the largest suppliers of roses in the United States. Under his direction, about 40,000-45,000 flowers are hand-pollinated each year to produce 250,000 seeds. Private trials are conducted in Tennessee, Washington, New York, Ohio and California. In these locations, the seedlings are thoroughly tested and, based upon Christian’s observations, the final selections are methodically and painstakingly made. To date, Christian has registered and introduced 50 rose varieties, with 3 more new roses coming in 2019. The subject of his presentation at Belmont will be “Hybridizing for the 21st Century and New Roses”.

“We’re excited to have a guest speaker of the caliber of Christian Bedard at our meeting on October 21st”, says Ron Daniels, President of the Nashville Rose Society. “Christian is responsible for some of the most popular roses available today, roses that are disease resistant, beautiful and fragrant. I grow 12 of his roses myself! We’re looking forward to having Christian share his knowledge and experience breeding roses with our members as well as anyone in Middle Tennessee who has an interest in roses. Also, to anyone who comes to the meeting on the 21st, be sure to visit Belmont’s historic Rose Garden, which dates back to 1859 and contains over 200 roses, some of which were hybridized by Christian Bedard himself!”

For more information, including directions to the Frist Lecture Hall at Belmont University, visit the Nashville Rose Society’s web site, nashvillerosesociety.org.