Attention – Attention – Attention

Ladies and gentleman, and rose lovers of all ages. You are cordially invited to participate in the 2020 American Rose Society’s annual Roses in Review (RIR). Your response is requested by Saturday, September 26, 2020. Now is your chance to let the whole world know what you think about the roses growing in your garden. There’s only a few days left before the site is shut down until next year.

Proof has always been “in the pudding”

Since early in the 20th Century, the American Rose Society has conducted an annual review of new roses to let other rose growers and rose aficionados worldwide know how these roses perform in his/her garden(s). Originally named “Proof in the Pudding,” ARS members and rose lovers worldwide have given feedback on many new roses through the years to determine which are the “best,” and those that should be avoided.

Participating in Roses in Review is available to all rose growers and not limited to just ARS members – anyone who grows the roses being reviewed can do it. I have personally reviewed roses every year for the past dozen or so years. Nearly every time I do it, I can find at least one rose on the list that is being reviewed that I grow. This year is no exception as there are twelve roses that I grow listed.

CR participation in RIR

In past years, RIR used to be mandatory for ARS Consulting Rosarians, but is now only “expected” that they participate. But, why wouldn’t a CR impart their knowledge about roses? Part of our CR Code is to “. . . inspire a love and appreciation of roses, their culture and exhibition.” . . . “They (the Consulting Rosarian) should SHARE their knowledge with anyone requesting information on the care of roses. The Consulting Rosarian should not be asked, but should share knowledge voluntarily and willingly help others.”

Let’s start

To get started, go to the RIR website page (https://www.rose.org/roses-in-review) and read the instructions. There is also an instructions video on the page that you can watch as well that is very informative. After you learn how to review your roses, you start reviewing them. There are a few simple questions to answer before you start, like are you a consulting rosarian, your address, etc.

Once you have answered these questions, it’s time to start reviewing your roses. First, you need to find a rose that you wish to review from an alphabetical list. Choose the section for the first letter of the rose you are reviewing. Once you choose the correct section, select the rose you want to review from the pulldown menu list. Once you find the rose you are looking for, select it. They will then ask you some simple questions regarding the rating for garden, exhibition, number of plants grown, etc. After you have answered these questions, there are additional questions about disease-resistance, winter hardiness, fragrance, etc.

There is an additional question where you can let the ARS know what you like or dislike about the rose. This is where you are able to add your own feedback as to why you like a particular rose (or don’t like it). When I was the RIR coordinator for the Yankee District a few years ago, there were some interesting statements submitted here. I laughed at many of them. Don’t be afraid to express yourself when answering. If you don’t let others know why/why not, you like/dislike a rose, who will?

And, that’s it! Done! Easy/peasy and your feedback helps to let everyone know about the “best” roses. The Handbook for Selecting Roses publishes the results in the next edition. You will have been part of it!

Another first for me – my very own rose reviewed

2020 also marks the first year that I personally have a rose being reviewed. Her name is President Shanley. Yikes! I’m extremely excited to find out what others think about my rose, but apprehensive at the same time. I’m hopeful for good reviews, but I have no control how my roses grow in areas other than in my own garden. I also have no control how the people growing my rose will review it. I have asked people I know who grow President Shanley how she does in their gardens, and have yet to hear anything bad. So, hopefully, she will do well in the final tally.

Hera’s Song and the heat of the South

Roses’ performance varies in different climates. One of my other roses that is not being reviewed this year, Hera’s Song. Hera’s Song can grow as an extremely healthy shrub some 6’-8’ high and 10’-12’ wide in a few gardens here in New England. However, she doesn’t do well in the South during the heat of the summer. 

I have seen pictures of her from North Carolina struggling to survive and looking quite pathetic. I even gave one to a prominent rosarian from Alabama, who later told me that the rose had died. Oh, well. I guess Hera struggles in a lot of warm-weather gardens, but that’s okay with me. Many roses that do well in warmer climates struggle here in New England. So, I guess this helps to even the score a little bit. I’m happy that many people in the cooler climates growing Hera enjoy her. 

Well, that’s all I’ve got to say about RIR and getting your reviews done. I do know that time is rapidly coming to a close, but it really doesn’t take that much time to complete your reviews. An hour or so is all it takes, and it is so important for everyone that you participate. Please be sure to log on and review your roses before the 26th. Thank you for your support!

Epilogue

I originally composed this story with multiple fountain pens when I had a few minutes here and there to spare between other rose- and work-related activities. The pens that were used were my Black Osmiroid “go to” pen, a green marbled Moore pen from the 1930’s, and my gold A.T. Cross pen that I bought at a yard sale a few years ago. One can clearly see where I stopped using one pen, and picked up another.