DON KOHLBAUER / Union-Tribune
Joe Smith and his wife, Brenda Landers-Smith, tended their roses. |
CARLSBAD – Beginning at sunup on Saturday, rose enthusiasts will bring their floral beauties to the Carlsbad Senior Center.
Some will pick their prized blooms by flashlight in the wee hours of the morning so they will be as fresh as possible for the California Coastal Rose Society's spring show.
The annual exhibit and contest is expected to draw hundreds of blooms.
“It'll be an ocean of roses. The smell alone should bring people in,” said Sharon McColgan, the society's president.
In the morning, roses will be judged by experts from California, Arizona and New Mexico.
What: California Coastal Rose Society spring show
When: Entry registration, 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. Saturday. Public viewing, 1 to 4 p.m.
Where: Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave.
Cost: Free.
Information: (760) 419-8328 or www.californiacoastalrose.com. | |
Roses of just about every shape, size and variety are expected to show up in myriad categories, from miniatures and hybrid teas to climbers, shrubs and rose arrangements.
“You'll probably see roses you didn't even know existed,” said Joe Smith, co-chairman of the show.
“A lot of people come here and make a shopping list of the roses they like,” said Brenda Landers-Smith, the group's vice president.
The idea isn't just to show off fantastic roses, but to share a few tips with fellow rose lovers.
“There isn't just one way to grow roses,” said Bob Woelffer, a member known for his work at the Magee House Rose Garden in Carlsbad.
Many members are certified as consulting rosarians by the American Rose Society and want to share their know-how.
Landers-Smith said folks sometimes bring in chewed up leaves and ask what's eating them.
"A lot of people are intimidated by roses, but they're tougher than we think,” she said.
A table will be set up for novice exhibitors.
“Nobody should feel their roses aren't good enough. We love roses and want to help people with theirs,” Landers-Smith said.
At the novice table, veteran rose growers will help new exhibitors polish leaves, push out petals and stage roses in vases.
“It'll be a beehive of activity,” McColgan said.
The show will be open to the public from 1 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Registration for competitors will be from 6:30 to 9:30 a.m. at the Carlsbad Senior Center, 799 Pine Ave.
The California Coastal Rose Society also hosts a free Rose-a-Holics meeting at 6:15 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month, followed by a general meeting at 7 p.m. in Heritage Hall at Magee Park, 2650 Garfield St., in Carlsbad.
For information, call Smith at (760) 419-8328 or go online to www.californiacoastalrose.com.
