My journey into the realm of growing roses, our national flower, has been difficult but rewarding. Learning to grow roses beyond the knowledge of the novice gardener is a never ending process. There are constantly new challenges presenting themselves. Being a rose gardener will tend to keep one humble. After eight years of serious rose growing, I am constantly learning new and valuable lessons. I believe that in the heart of every person is a rose. My lifelong relationship with flowers, especially roses, has been very passionate. Had I not become a Hair stylist and owner of my own salon, Fame Mane Hair Designs, I think that I would have been a florist. My earliest memories as a child begin in my grandmother’s garden, a lovely cottage style garden filled with a bouquet of color and fragrance.

Fragrance in the garden and home has always been important to me. My garden is filled with many luscious smelling roses, Double Delight, French Lace, Perfume Delight, and Cotillion are only a few of the many of the myriad of wonderfully fragrant roses available. In my rose garden my state of mind becomes peaceful and joyous. I wish to express the importance of local rose societies in adding knowledge and pleasure to growing roses. In my daily commute to and from my salon I would pass by a beautiful rose garden. There the gardener appeared to be so happy tending to her roses. I had always desired to have a rose garden but had no idea where to start. One day I gained enough courage to stop by and say hello. The woman was a longstanding member of the Greater Fort Myers Rose Society, Joan Vigneau. A true rose-friendship was born. She is a rosarian to the core receiving the Bronze Medal from the Society. The lessons she and other rosarians that I have met through local, regional and national societies have been invaluable.

For myself, as time has passed, the fulfillment of having the privilege to venture into my rose garden and cut not one, but many breathtaking varieties of rose flowers and foliage is truly a realized dream. To be able to share roses with others and to see the happiness it brings to them is a true delight. Roses remind us that each day is new and to view the every changing beauty of a rose garden is truly an amazing experience.