Tuesday evening
February 16th 2010 at 7:00 pm

'Roses for the 21st Century'
presented by
Debbie Zary and Dr Keith Zary
of Jackson & Perkins Roses

Join us on Tuesday, February 16, 2010 at 7:00 pm to welcome Debbie and Dr Keith Zary. They will present a program describing the process of rose production from initial hybridizing goals to the preparation of plants for the marketplace. They will also describe, illustrate and offer guidance on many of the new Jackson and Perkins offerings for 2010. A sample of these new introductions include Beach Blanket, Bubblicious, Cinnanmon Girl, Monkey Business, Sedona and Sweet Intoxication.

Debbie Zary leads the marketing efforts for Jackson & Perkins Roses. She started with the company in the research department in 1998. Working with Dr. Keith Zary in the research department in 1998, Debbie initially studied parental lines, assisted in the selection of roses, and helped write the rose breeding program. Upon the completion of her business degree from Pepperdine University, Debbie has transitioned to the marketing department where she now directs the creation of the award-winning Jackson & Perkins rose catalog and other selling materials. Debbie also regularly serves as a contributing writer to the American Rose, Garden Compass, California Nurseryscape, and other rose-related publications. In her capacity as the official Jackson & Perkins spokesperson, she is featured in many presentations at tradeshows, seminars, and rose organizations. In addition Debbie also lends her expertise to Garden Compass, a weekly syndicated gardening show as the "Roving Rose Reporter".
 
Keith Zary has spent almost all of his adult life involved in various aspects of plant research and breeding. Zary received a Doctor of Philosophy - Horticulture, from Texas A&M University in 1980 and then worked as a plant breeder for Sun Seeds in Minnesota, before joining Jackson & Perkins, the world's largest rose producer, in 1985 as the Assistant Director of Research.  Since 1995, he has served as Vice President of Research for Jackson & Perkins.  Based in Somis, California, at the company's rose research facility, he oversees the company's efforts in this area, winning numerous major awards for roses from trials in England, Spain, Holland, Belgium, France, Italy, Germany and Japan. Among these awards, Zary has won the Presidents International Trophy of the Royal National Rose Society.  He is only the second breeder from the United States to ever win this prestigious award.  Zary is also the first U.S. breeder since 1955 to be awarded the coveted Golden Rose of The Hague, The Netherlands.   Other awards include American Rose Society Award of Excellence for Hot Tamale, 1994; Jingle Bells, 1995; and Baby Bloomers in 2006.  All-America Rose Selections, Inc., awards include Artistry and Timeless, in 1997, Fame! and Opening Night in 1998, Candelabra in 1999, Gemini in 2000, Honey Perfume in 2004, Tahitian Sunset in 2006, Moondance in 2007 and Mardi Gras for 2008.
 
Photo provided by Debbie Zary.