Desert Rose Society holds annual show in Palm Desert
Roses are red and violets are blue ... but not always. As seen at the Desert Rose Society's (DRS) annual show, held Saturday, Nov. 13, in the community center at Palm Desert Civic Center, there were hundreds of roses of different colors and sizes with a nice blend of mixed and solids. The aroma filled the room, the colors were spectacular and the proud entrants of the competition were hovering and adoring them every few minutes as if they were a newborn delicate baby.
It was a beautiful sight.
The Desert Rose Society is an educational organization devoted to the art and technique of growing roses in our hot desert climate. The organization meets on the second Tuesday of every month, except during summer, at the Portola Community Center at 45-480 Portola Avenue in Palm Desert. Members also receive an email newsletter nine times a year with information on a wide range of rose growing and rose maintenance topics.
The organization caters to those who enjoy growing roses and are looking for the varieties best suited to the hot desert climate as well as those looking to meet other likeminded gardeners. Instructional topics include pruning and fertilizing as well as how to hybridize your personal favorite variety. First established in 1985, the DRS is an affiliate of the American Rose Society, which was established in 1892.
Linda Simmons, the event's organizer, said many of the winners compete year after year and are entered into a number of different categories. This includes Ray and Pauline Martin from the UK. Since 1986, the pair has journeyed to the Coachella Valley every year to participate, judge and enjoy a vacation in the desert. Ray is the general secretary while Pauline serves as amateur rose show chair of the Rose Society UK. A passionate rosarian, Ray was recently given a special rose, named RaytheRose, that was bred for him by famous English rose grower Chris Warner as a celebration for Ray's work and dedication to rose growing on both sides of the pond.
First place winners included Suzanne Horn, Rick and Olivia Bennett, Hal Reynolds and Peggy Bakke. More than 52 separate categories were judged, with flowers ranging from minifloras and the new German Lava flow to awards for arrangements and even photography. Once the judging was over, colors expounded from every corner of the community center as non-members were allowed in to choose from the many vases of roses available to take home for a donation.
DRS co-chair Barb Steffensmeier was awarded overall Best of Show for her arrangements.
Like many nonprofits, the DRS took a hit during the pandemic and needs your help in order to keep going. New members are welcome. To join or make a donation, visit desertrosesociety.com or email info@desertrosesociety.com. Membership is only $20.
Carole Stephen-Smith has lived in the desert for more than 30 years. Born in Edinburgh, Scotland, she began writing in London and has been a regular contributor to The Desert Sun for six years.
This article originally appeared on Palm Springs Desert Sun: Desert Rose Society holds annual show in Palm Desert
