Stay up to date on the Greater Palm Beach Rose Society, regional and national News and other nearby Rose Society Events. Be sure to SCROLL DOWN to see all the events listed.
The Latest GPBRS News in the “The Rose Petal”
The Rose Petal is our Member-only newsletter, filled with rose gardening ‘How To’, Rose Information and or course, news! We publish the Rose Petal during the Tropical South rose season, September through May (no December publication). Members receive the newsletter via email. If you have rose-related articles or information you would like to see included in the newsletter (your suggestions are greatly appreciated) please email them to:
Denise Abruzzese and Kim Wendt
GPBRS Newsletter Editors
newsletter@gpbrs.org
December 2025 GPBRS Rose Petal Newsletter
FLORIDA ROSE EVENTS
ONLINE: ARS Consulting Rosarian School – Feb 2025
There will be online ARS CR schools/audits held on Saturday, February 3 and Saturday, February 10 with the online open book exam to follow. Candidates must attend all of the webinars. For more info see: https://deepsouthdistrict.org/resources/consulting-rosarian-information/
2025 DSD Mid-Winter Rose Convention – February 28 through March 2, 2025
2025 Mid-Winter Meeting
~ Roses in Paradise ~
February 28 through March 2, 2025
Best Western Gateway Grand Hotel & Conference Center in Gainesville, FL
Want some winter excitement? Then come to Gainesville this Mid-Winter for a fun, tropical-themed educational conference the weekend of February 28 to March 2, 2025. Hosted by the Greater Palm Beach Rose Society.
Existing Consulting Rosarians! Earn CR credit at Mid-Winter! The presentations approved for existing Consulting Rosarian CEU’s would be: Florist Rose Propagation; Color and Design: Companion Planting for Roses; and Power Growing Roses the “Nelson Way”.
MID-WINTER REGISTRATION IS OPEN
ONLINE: 2025 Mid-Winter REGISTRATION LINK.
REGISTRATION FORM: 2025 Mid-Winter Reservation Form
More Info links:
Mid-Winter Invitation Letter
Mid-Winter EVENT SCHEDULE
Friday afternoon, grab your secateurs and sign up for the Hands On! Florist Rose Propagation Workshop taught by Denise Abruzzese, CR. Afterward, Sandy Dixon, our beloved ARS Arrangement & Horticulture Judge, will teach us new whimsical tricks in Creating Fun Arrangements. Connect with friends and enjoy Friday night dinner at the eatery of your choice. After dinner, wander over to the Continental Mezzanine for Parrothead Snacks, Grog (beverages), and Key West styled Games – Rose Pong!
Saturday’s outstanding seminars include: “Color and Design: Companion Planting for Roses” with Victor Lazzari, Professional Landscape Designer; “Editing Tips & Tricks: Fantastic Rose Photography for Everyone” with Denise Domlesky, Photo Editor for People Magazine; and “Power Growing Roses the ‘Nelson Way’” with Clay Nelson, owner of Nelson’s Southern Roses. There will be a Deep South District Annual Meeting with Karen Prevatt, our Deep South District Director. AND wonderful raffle prizes! Winners announced after the Annual Meeting and you must be present to win.
Roses in Paradise Banquet: Enjoy an excellent Margaritaville-inspired plated dinner, cash bar, and an amazing line up of Rosarian Awards and tropical fun: Anita Smith Award, Bronze Merit Award Winners and even Tropical Paradise Awards. (Tropical banquet attire is suggested – your choice of tropical-themed, business casual to semi-formal attire.) Get creative! There are chances to win super prizes for Best Key West, Jimmy Buffet or Parrothead Attire or Costume.
Sunday morning is the Consulting Rosarian (CR) School for new or recertifying CRs, however anyone can attend who wishes to learn more about growing roses. New candidates need to apply at least 30 days ahead of time by contacting our Deep South District CR Chair, Janet Newburgh at: JanNewburgh@gmail.com
Angel Gardens Nursery
K & M Roses
Nelson’s Southern Roses
Purely Organic
Rose Petal Nursery
Angel Gardens, K&M Roses, Nelson’s Southern Roses and Rose Petal Nursery will delight us with a myriad of roses for sale on own root and Fortuniana rootstock. Purely Organics will also be there. Be sure to preorder your roses and amendments for the best selection. Most preorders for roses begin around January 15th. Vendor inventory/price lists will be emailed when available.
Existing Consulting Rosarians! Earn CR credit at Mid-Winter! The presentations approved for existing Consulting Rosarian CEU’s would be: Florist Rose Propagation; Color and Design: Companion Planting for Roses; and Power Growing Roses the “Nelson Way”.
Best Western Gateway Grand Hotel & Conference Center
This Mediterranean styled hotel has great amenities including the Gators Den, the onsite restaurant and bar. Swim in the sparkling pool, soak in the hot tub and relax under a tropical cabana. There is a 24-hour Fitness Center, Business Center and Guest Laundry. The Massage Studio is available with advance reservation required. A hot American Breakfast Buffet is complimentary, with made to order omelets. Free parking with space for oversized vehicles.
Address: 4200 NW 97th Blvd., Gainesville, FL 32606. Directions: north side of Gainesville, FL just west of I-75, at the 39th Avenue/SR222 exit (Exit 390).
Mid-Winter Hotel Reservation Link: DSD Mid-Winter 2025 Conference – Hotel Rooms at BWGG
Funded in part by Visit Gainesville, Alachua County.
Deep South Judging School – May 30 & 31, 2025
The Deep South Judging School will be held on May 30th and 31st at Dawson Street Baptist Church located at 1025 N. Dawson Street, Thomasville, GA. We will have the Horticulture on Friday and the Arrangement on Saturday. The cost of the school will be $30.00 per person. We will have a registration form ready after the first of the year. It is important that current judges attend as well as those wishing to become a judge. Current judges will receive four years credit before having to take another school. Those wishing to become judges must have been a member of ARS for three years prior to taking the test.
Other Local Rose Society Meetings and News
TROPICAL ROSE SOCIETY MEETINGS (Miami/Dade, Broward County):
The Tropical Rose Society meets at the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Gardens in Coral Gables, FL.
Address: 10901 Old Cutler Road, Miami, Florida 33156. Use the south “STAFF ONLY” parking lot.
(Doors open at Fairchild at 6:30 pm, meeting starts promptly at 7:00 pm) [UPDATE: TRS now meeting in Corbin A classroom until February 2025]
JANUARY Meeting: Tuesday, January 14 2024, 7:00 pm – 9:00 pm
Fairchild Tropical Garden – Corbin Classroom A (or via Zoom link for members)
ORLANDO AREA HISTORIAL ROSE SOCIETY MEETINGS AND EVENTS:
The Society meets at The Garden House at Harry P. Leu Botanical Gardens 1920 North Forest Ave, Orlando FL on the first Sunday of the month. Doors open at 2:00 pm, program starts at 2:30 pm.
OAHRS Program info: (407) 497-1639
Leu Gardens: (407) 246-2020
TAMPA ROSE SOCIETY MEETINGS AND EVENTS:
Tampa Rose Society meets on the third Tuesday of each month (except for June-August) at 7 pm at the Seminole Garden Center, 5800 N Central Ave, Tampa, FL 33604. Guests are welcome to attend. Come at 6:30 pm to socialize! Each meeting has a program and a Consulting Rosarian’s Report sharing what you should be doing to care for your Florida roses. We end the meeting with a fun raffle which often includes roses! Come and bring a gardening buddy or friend.
2025 Meeting Dates: January 21, February 18, March 18, April 15, May 20, and June 17 (no meetings July & August), September 16, October 21, & November 18 (no meeting in December due to the Annual Holiday Party).