President’s Message A beautiful rose show we had and what a wonderful Team we were! Each of you jumped in, took charge and made it happen! From beginning to end, from set up to tear down everything ran smoothly. The in-between hours, supply transportation, layout and staging, exhibiting preparation, breakfast, classification, clerking, placement, judging, calligraphy, lunch, greeting the public and selling cut flowers and potted roses were handled with perfection. What a blessing. With each of you handling your part, the outcome was wonderful. Thanks to each one of you and congratulations to the exhibitors and winners as well. We can be proud of a fine job done by all. Also a special thanks to the volunteers from Celebration UMC for their great job moving tables and chairs for us. We will talk about a thank you donation to the church at our picnic.

When you get a minute, take a look at the website and see the slide show Jerry put together with some of my pictures. Sorry I did not get more pictures. Thank you Jerry. Life is not always kind and we all are deeply feeling the loss of our dear friend, Linda Rengarts. Linda has been such a blessing to GRS and all of us in so many ways. She was not afraid to get involved with our community, not afraid to step up and take leadership roles and help make things happen. Yes, Linda served us well and she is truly missed. A celebration of life for Linda will be held at Dudley Farm on May 14 at 2:00 pm with a reception to follow at the Rose Petals Nursery. Hopefully many of us can attend. With the loss of Linda as our Webmaster and me certainly not trained and up to speed yet, Jerry has agreed to be listed in our newsletter for now. He has been so creative and such a tremendous help.



by Jean Stream

Please take a look at his picture to put a face with his name. Thank you Jerry for your continued great work. Our spring has gone so quickly and soon we will be enjoying our Summer break. We do have some changes in the works that will hopefully enhance our time together in the fall and next year. I would encourage each of you to consider attending the Fall District Convention in Atlanta, October 7-9, 2016 and the Mid-Winter Meeting in January at the newly renovated Botanical Gardens in Birmingham, AL. These groups are working hard on their plans to make these events fun.

Official Newsletter Volume 46, Issue 5

Inside this issue: President’s Message

1

Meeting Minutes

2

Treasurer’s Report

3

The Weed Patch “Jungle” 4-5

GRS meets at 2:00 pm at Rose Petals Nursery on 5/15/16 GRS is affiliated with:

Thank you Ann for your nice article The Weed Patch “”Jungle””. This is truly testing by necessity and not by choice. Read and enjoy. I look forward to our picnic fun at the Rose Petals Nursery on the 15th 2:00 pm – Directions below. See you there.

Jean Stream President

Directions to Rose Petals Nursery: West on Newberry Road 6 miles from I-75, turn left on SW 170th (241S), go 1 mile and turn left on SW 15th Ave. First property on the left. 16918 SW 15th Ave., Newberry, FL

Page 2

Meeting Minutes

by Jean Giesel

April 10, 2016 - Celebration United Methodist Church The meeting was called to order at 2 p.m. Cyd and Art Wade, Willie Mae Burley, and Bob Spangenberg were thanked for the refreshments. The minutes for March 13 were approved (Shirley Mullins moved and Phil Leilich seconded) as they appeared in the online and mailed newsletter. Jean Stream apologized for the slow delivery of the mail out. The Treasurer’s report as published was received with thanks. Shirley Mullins, Sunshine, was asked to send a card to Bob Spangenberg. Linda Rengarts is in the hospital again. Lee Kline reported that the spring picnic will be at Rose Petals Nursery May 15 at 2 p.m. Meat will be provided. A list was passed to sign up for side dishes. Ann and Dan Sherwood will decorate. Driving directions will be in the May newsletter. The June meeting will be the ice cream social. Missy was thanked for her article for the April newsletter. A volunteer is needed for May. Ann Sherwood will work on an article for May. After some discussion, Jean Giesel moved that we meet next year at the Disciples of Christ Church. Motion seconded, motion passed. Location for the rose show will be decided later. Suggestions are the Disciples church and The Village. Lee will check The Village. Ralph went over last minute plans for the Rose Show. Set up will start Friday, April 15 and 3 p.m. at Celebration UMC. Delivering the equipment to the show was arranged. A 1 year membership in GRS will be giving to the winner in the Novice Class. Rose Petals will have rose plants for sale and cut roses will be sold in plastic cups. Consulting Rosarians were asked about a diseased branch and a sport brought by Robie Robinson. Cut roses in a bouquet were identified. Dates: Thomasville Rose Show April 22 The Streams will open their garden on April 23 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m Jacksonville RS show April 30 at St. Marks Episcopal Day School Tampa RS show May 7 (Westfield) ARS Mini-National Convention – Grantville PA July 29-31 Fall DSD Convention in Atlanta, Oct 7-9 Kanapaha Fall plant sale and orchid show Oct 22-23. Free admission; booth possibility Respectfully submitted, Jean Giesel, Secretary

Jean Giesel Secretary

Page 3

Treasurer’s Report

Elected Officers: by Dan Mills

President - Jean Stream Vice-President - Lee Kline

GRS Treasurer’s Report (for May 2016 NL)

Secretary - Jean Giesel Treasurer - Dan Mills

Bank Statement Balance as of 3-31-2016

$13,176.57

March deposits:

Consulting Rosarians: Consulting Rosarians are

$55.00 April raffle

55.00

$144.30 member box lunches

144.30

rose growers who have met American Rose Society qualifications and are able to

$277.25 donations and ads for rose show

277.25

help you with your rosegrowing problems. Our

$58.50 cut flower sales from rose show

58.50

active, local Consulting Rosarians are:

March checks written:

Lee Kline

$49.06 to Jean Stream, reimbursement for

352-214-5466

rose show expenses

49.06

[email protected] Dan Mills

$164.40 to Xerographic Copy Center for

(352) 591-2145

copying rose show schedule

164.40

[email protected] Ralph Stream

$258.08 to Mc Alisters for box lunches

258.08 (352) 591-4474 mailto:[email protected]

$62.53 to Dan Mills, reimbursement for literature for information table

62.53

GRS Website: gainesvillerosesociety.org

$35.00 to Jean Giesel for copying flyer

35.00

Jerry Scott Webmaster

Bank Statement Balance as of 04-30-2016

$13,142.55

(To be confirmed by May bank statement) We have 33 paid members to date (04-30-2016). Daniel S. Mills, Treasurer

Daniel S. Mills Treasurer

[email protected]

Page 4

The Weed Patch “Jungle”











Written by Ann Sherwood

          DANIEL MILLS: An instant friend for many; a longtime Gainesville Rose Society Consulting Rosarian and an American Rose Society Bronze Medal recipient.

Dan has freely shared his rose and soil knowledge for many years through numerous lectures and articles. He has also contributed his expertise by writing a chapter; Soil and Water and Roses, in the published book, "The Sustainable Rose Garden". In 1972 Dan obtained four acres of "weeds" in the horse country of north central Florida. This plot inFairfield had previously been cultivated to produce vegetables, watermelons and commercial grass but it lay idle for years while nature filled it with a bumper crop of tall grass and weeds. It was only natural that this once neglected property eventually be called "The Weed Patch"! Dan purchased a modular home and moved his family of four onto their new home site. They started the hard work of mowing and clearing the land. Small trees were planted in numerous spots for future shade and beauty. Dan added a large grape arbor and maintained a healthy vegetable garden in the back portion of the property. Later Dan and his wife divorced but the children stayed with their dad to complete their schooling. The family members have always remained on friendly terms. Dan and his partner (since 1988), John Tucker designed a handsome rose garden in the front north-west section of the "weed patch" property. Eventually it was completed with numerous varieties of rose bushes, statues, a large fountain, many benches, a four-person swing, several arches and rose bearing split-rail fences. It became a very lovely garden that was proudly shared with family, friends and community organizations. Since Dan and John were members of several Rose Societies they hosted the Gainesville Rose Society and the Marion County Rose Societies' annual picnics. By this time the sapling became tall shade trees that guests enjoyed while smelling the roses and touring the grounds. A friendly resident cat and twenty chickens were added to greet visitors who came to view the rose garden, pick grapes or to shop for potted roses. All went well until John became seriously ill and Dan's hip became a painful problem. As he cared for John, Dan's hip replacement became a necessary requirement which put an extra strain on his energy. During this period there was little time or strength to care for their beloved rose garden. Quickly the weeds took over this once beautiful "Rose Garden Park". Reflecting the demise of the rose garden, John also lost his fight for life. It took a while before Dan could face the Rose Garden again, but he somehow managed to remain an active member in the Gainesville Rose Society; he currently holds the position of treasurer. He is also a renewed member of the Jacksonville Rose Society. In mid-December, 2015, I visited Dan to collect cut branches. He and John always shared "Christmas greenery and berries" for the Gainesville Rose Society's annual Christmas dinner party. That's Page 4 when I learned about the "Weed Jungle".

   

Page 5

The Weed Patch “Jungle” Continued After four years of complete neglect, the weeds were higher than Dan's head (he is five feet, six inches tall}. He brought my attention to a large portion of the garden that had not yet been cleared. Indeed, it was a thick, dark area with a very healthy mass of tall weeds and uninvited saplings (some six inches in diameter in need of a chain saw) and a tangle of huge vines! But what he showed me next was a complete delight! Many of the roses he uncovered were still thriving and had large, handsome flowers, even in December! Dan said, "Look at this Cecile Brunner and over here is a huge beauty, Mrs. B. R. Cant and just smell this one, Champney's Pink Cluster! The rose bushes, previously hidden by various "jungle growth", survived being abandoned (no pruning, fertilizing, chemicals or watering except by nature) for over four long years are listed below. These specific rose varieties should be considered as additions to any garden which requires hardy rose bushes. Thank you, Dan Mills and John Tucker, for selecting, growing and "no-care-garden testing" these many rose bushes for our future enjoyment.

China:

Archduke Charles, red blend, before 1837 Cramoisi Sup `erier, crimson-red 1832 Napol`eon, pale blush tinted with crimson, 1835 Old Blush, medium pink (two-tone pink), 1751 Spice, white, before 1800

Climbing:

Cecile Bruner, Everblooming, (Polyantha), light pink, 1996 Clair Matin, (Large-Flowered Climber), medium pink, 1962 Old Blush, Climbing, (China), bright-mediumm p;ink Souv de la Malmaison, (Climbing Burbon), light pink 1893

Hybrid Musk: Cornelia, pink blend, 1925 Darlow’s Enigma, white, 1995 Hybrid Tea: Elina, light yellow, 1984 The McCartney Rose, medium pink, 1995 Noisette:

Blush Noisette, white, before 1817 Champney’s Pink Cluster, light pink, before 1810 Mar`echal Niel, medium yellow, 1864

Polyantha:

Clotilde Soupert, pearly white (Climbing Sport), after 1890 La Marne, pink blend, 1915 Mevrouw Nathalie Nypels, medium pink, 1919

Shrub:

Belinda’s Dream, light pink, 1992 Gartendirektor Otto Linne, dark pink, 1934 Heritage, light pink, 1985

Tea:

Barone Henriette de Snoy, pink blend, 1897 Bon Sil`ene, dark pink, before 1837 Mrs. B. R. Cant, medium pink, 1901

Ann Sherwood