Rose Chat Podcast

Stephen Scanniello is best known as a hands-on gardener who transformed the Cranford Rose Garden of the Brooklyn Botanic Garden into one of the world’s most acclaimed rose gardens. Since leaving the Cranford in 1998, Stephen has devoted his full attention to maintaining and designing private gardens throughout the United States. He continues to lecture, write, and serve as a judge for the international rose trials in Europe and the United States. Stephen has co-authored two rose books - Roses of America (1990, Holt) and Climbing Roses (1994, Prentice Hall/Horticulture, now Macmillan). Rose Companions (2005, Cool Springs Press) is about selecting the perfect companion plants for your roses. The American Horticultural Society selected his third book, A Year of Roses (1997, Holt) as one of the Ten Best Books in Horticulture for 1997. An updated edition of this award-winning classic was released in May 2006 (Cool Springs Press). His next book, co-authored with Douglas Brenner, A Rose By Any Name, will tell stories related to rose names. This book, published by Algonquin Books, was released in February 2009. Stephen, along with past ARS president Marilyn Wellan, will be the recipient of the GROW (Great Rosarian of the World) Award for 2009. He is currently the president of the Heritage Rose Foundation and a member of the American Rose Society, Manhattan Rose Society, Dallas Area Historic Rose Society, Heritage Roses Northwest, and Central Florida Heritage Rose Society.  

Jay Hiers joins us this week to talk about the magnificent Edisto Memorial Rose Garden in Orangeburg South Carolina. This historic garden is a marvel to behold. Once a gathering area for Confederate soldiers during the Civil War this plot of ground has evolved over the years to become a nationally recognized gathering spot for over 600,00 visitor a year. With thousands of roses on display, this garden is on our list of MUST SEE rose gardens.  Join us each week for the Rose Chat Podcast.  Sponsors:  Haven Brand Soil Conditioners  S & W Greenhouse  

A STORY OF SURVIVAL Hurricane Katrina took its toll on Peggy Martin. The storm took her parents, her home and over 450 cherished old garden roses. Peggy joins us for a special interview on how the fury of a storm and 20 feet of sea water could not crush one lone surviving rose nor Peggy's spirit.  As Vice President of membership for the Heritage Rose Foundation and Old Garden Rose & Shrub Chairman for the American Rose Soceity, Peggy works tirelessly to help preserve and maintain old rose varieties.  Peggy's Website ROSE CHAT RADIO NEWSLETTER Subscribe the the Rose Chat Radio Newsletter HERE

Internationally acclaimed rosarian Jacques Ferare from Star Roses & Plants joins us to chat about Drift Roses.  Drift® Roses are a cross between full-size groundcover roses and miniature roses. From the former they kept toughness, disease resistance and winter hardiness. From the miniatures, they inherited their well-managed size and repeat-blooming nature.  Continuously blooming from spring to frost (bloom cycle about every 5-6 weeks), they are naturally dwarf, with very attractive foliage. They are winter hardy to zone 4.  Drift® Roses range in size from 2-3' wide x 1 1/2' tall.  The low, manageable habit of Drift® Roses makes them perfect for small gardens, hillsides, perennial beds and even awkward areas. They brighten up borders and fill in empty spaces around your favorite established plants. Find out more about DRIFT roses at StarRoses.com

Big Blend Radio hosts Lisa Smith and Nancy Reid join the Rose Chat Radio crew to share about their visit to Tombstone Arizona to see the world's largest rose. The "Lady Banksia" or “Lady Banks” rose was planted in 1886 and is still growing strong. It now covers approx 9000 square feet. It is a must see for rose lovers. Lisa shares a special interview with Dorothy Devere the caretaker of this rose and owner of the Rose Tree Museum. We'll get an update from this dynamic duo on their Spirit of American Tour, a 4 year long endeavor to visit every U.S. national park.   In April 2012, mother-daughter publishing team Nancy Reid and Lisa Smith, along with their pink sock monkey travel mascot 'Priscilla,' kicked-off their 5 year National SPIRIT OF AMERICA TOUR with a goal to connect America as a family to America's Best Idea, by visiting all 401 National Parks, to enhance quality of life and financial stability, through education, communication, preservation and sustainable practices. 

Christian Bedard - Weeks Roses Hybridizer As research director at Weeks Roses, Christian oversee's testing and selection of thousands of potential rose introductions each year. An award winning hybridizer, he is responsible for such introductions as "Ketchup & Mustard", "Sugar Moon" & "Koko Loko" just to name a few. Christian will tell us about the breeding program at Weeks, about some of his creations and will share just how he comes up with some of the names of his introductions!    Weeks Roses Website  

THE DIRT DIARIES Acclaimed writer, gardener and rosarian Lynn Hunt joins us to talk about her blog and upcoming book "The Dirt Diaries" musings from "Thirty years in the garden and still sratching the surface"      

ANDY VANABLE - HYBRIDIZING ROSES Andy Vanable is the Eastern Director for the Rose Hybridizers association and will be with us to talk about some of the great rosarians of the 20th century and with over 300 hybrids to his credit, he will offer tips and advice on creating roses in your own back yard. His rose 'Hera's Song is now a registered rose, it is a hybrid of the well known Darlow's Enigma.  ROSE HYBRIDIZERS ASSOCITION The primary goal of this association is to be a resource for those who wish to hybridize roses and to provide materials to aid them in this purpose. They emphasize the fun aspect of creating roses and the pure joy of seeing a rose you created bloom!  RoseHybridizers.org

LUCAS JACK | Biltmore Estate Rosarian Lucas Jack, rosarian for the magnificent Biltmore Estate returns to chat about training up the next generation of gardeners. Lucas will discuss good growing practices, education and companion planting for roses.  ROSE CHAT RADIO | E-Mail Updates Keep informed on upcoming Rose Chat Radio guests, exciting giveaways and contests and much more by subscribing to our weekly email updates! http://eepurl.com/nINYz  

INVASION OF THE JAPANESE BEETLES David Strickland of Witherspoon Rose Culture will be with us to talk about Japanese Beetles and roses.  These pesky creatures can chew through a rose bush in a day! David will offer tips on how to control them in your garden, plus he'll be taking your calls and questions on rose care.  Troy-Bilt | Garden & Lawn Products | Bilt For Life Barbara Roueche joins us to tell us about the history of Troy-Bilt and what products are available to help you establish and maintain a beautiful garden space.  Giveaway Offer: We are giving away a gas trimmer and a jump start engine starter from Troy-Bilt! You'll never have to pull the cord again! This trimmer will help keep your rose beds looking their best. Check our our Facebook page for details: http://www.Facebook.com/RoseChatRadio