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Why Should I Join the Rose Society?
By Louise Ellrod

When I decided to plant my first rose bush a little over a year ago, I hopped in the car, drove to Home Depot, and purchased the first rose bush I saw that was loaded with beautiful flowers. I then selected the spot, dug a hole, popped in the bush, watered it faithfully and hoped it would grow. How hard could this be? Surely my one rose bush would look as stunning as the 200 rose bushes my neighbor has in her yard! Surely I would soon be providing vases full of roses to the staff at my office like the gentlemen I worked with was sharing with me regularly. All I needed was sunshine and water, right? Not quite! What I did need was a membership to my local rose society, I just didn’t know it at the time.

Several weeks later, I enthusiastically shared the news with my coworker that my rose bush had three buds. He listened, smiling, and said, “I would love to introduce you to my wife and have you come see our garden.” He must have gone home and mentioned to his wife that this poor woman needed help! Surely he shared all the details about this absolutely “perfect” rose bush I was growing because the next morning I received an application to the Tampa Rose Society on my desk and several copies of past newsletters. Oh my goodness!! What was all this about? Spraying for fungus and Orthenex for Aphids and what you should do in your garden each month? What are Aphids? What is this Rose of the Month? Why do we only grow roses on Fortuniana Rose Stock? When do we prune and do I prune my one little bush? What is the Deep South District and the American Rose Society? What are Thrips and will they eat my entire rose bush? I had to sit down and have a glass of tea. I had much to learn.

With a little encouragement from this dear woman, my neighbor, and my precious friend from church, I spent $15.00 to join the Society. As all of you know, this is a truly fabulous return one receives on this investment. A monthly newsletter, chalk full of information for the novice rose grower to the experienced rose grower, a monthly meeting with informative programs, well planned group events and tours, and a Directory with telephone numbers of Consulting Rosarians and Master Rosarians who really will take your calls or come to your garden and answer your questions.

You will find friends that will celebrate your accomplishments with your garden, commiserate with you on the woes of gardening and help you find solutions, as well as teach you how to exhibit, share information on where to buy supplies, what supplies you really need, and what roses truly grow best in our climate and so much more. You, as a member, already know all of this, so why this article?

I want to share with you that because of my membership in the Tampa Rose Society, my one little rose bush is now full of blooms and has grown more beautiful thanks to the help of a nearby Consulting Rosarian. I’m even more pleased to say that because of the knowledge and friendships I’ve gained through the Tampa Rose Society, my yard looks lovely with the addition of another 39 rose bushes. I have a garden to turn to when days aren’t so “sunny” and a quiet place is needed. I have roses to share with my church or place on my table at dinner, and I have found new friendships.

So as we prune back our rose bushes and prepare them to grow stronger and more beautiful, take some time to share with someone you know an application for membership into our wonderful society.