January 2025 Deep South Events
February 2025 Deep South Events
Florida – Bradenton-Sarasota Rose Society’s Rose Pruning Demonstration
DATE: FEBRUARY 2, 2025
Come learn the tricks to successfully prune your roses from an experienced rosarian.
Where: 2315 Admiral Way, Sarasota, FL 34231
Website: https://b-srs.org/
ONLINE: ARS Consulting Rosarian School – Feb 2025
DATES: FEBRUARY 3 and 10, 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/
Florida – 2025 Mid-Winter Rose Society Meeting of the Deep South District
DATES: FEBRUARY 28 through MARCH 2, 2025
Calling all rose-heads and parrotheads! Break out your flip-flops and flamingos and join the DSD for Roses in Paradise! All members, guests and other interested rose gardeners of the Deep South District of the American Rose Society (Florida, Georgia, & Alabama rose societies) come together to learn, network, buy roses and celebrate those achievements of the 19 represented rose societies in the DSD.
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!
MID-WINTER REGISTRATION IS OPEN
ONLINE: 2025 Mid-Winter REGISTRATION LINK
REGISTRATION FORM: 2025 Mid-Winter Reservation Form
More Info Links:
2025 Mid-Winter Invitation Letter
2025 Mid-Winter EVENT SCHEDULE
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, andan 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, 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.
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.
Hosted by the Greater Palm Beach Rose Society Website: http://www.gpbrs.org/
March 2025 Deep South Events
See the Deep South District Mid-Winter Meeting information (Feb 28-March 2) above.
April 2025 Deep South Events
Georgia – The Annual Thomasville Rose Show & Festival
Save the date, the fourth Friday and Saturday in April 2025.
Held in historic Downtown Thomasville, the Rose Show has been a Southwest Georgia tradition since 1922.
May 2025 Deep South Events
Alabama – Birmingham Rose Society’s Annual Rose Show on Mother’s Day weekend
DATES: SATURDAY-SUNDAY, MAY 10-11, 2025
Held at the beautiful Birmingham Botanical Gardens. This show is one of the largest horticultural shows in the southeast typically showcasing 400 roses on display along with beautiful artistic arrangements and stunning photography featuring the Rose! The judging is Saturday morning, but the festivities are all weekend. Save the Date! Website: http://www.birminghamrose.org/
Georgia – South Metro Society’s Annual Rose Show
SAVE THE DATES: SATURDAY-SUNDAY, MAY 17-18, 2025
Always the weekend AFTER Mother’s Day. See, smell, and photograph hundreds of exhibition roses and rose arrangements 1-4 pm both days! Rose bouquets for sale. Information table manned by our Consulting Rosarians. Terrific raffle prizes! FREE admission and parking! Location right off the main square in Fayetteville, GA. See South Metro’s Facebook Page: facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064550088342.
Georgia – Deep South Judging School
DATES: May 30 and 31, 2025
The Deep South Judging School will be held 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. Contact Joanne Maxheimer at iamjomax42@gmail.com to sign up or for more information.
Attention Local Societies: Take advantage of The Bulletin and the Deep South website to list your rose shows, events and workshops. Contact Bet Sobon, Editor, to include your news and events in the next issues of the DSD Bulletin at bet.sobon@outlook.com.