I would love to invite all members and friends of the San Diego Rose Society to my open garden on Saturday

and Sunday May 14 and 15, from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m..

This year my open garden will be a tribute to 4 wonderful rosarians who are no longer growing roses here on this earth. Roger English was a friend and mentor who never had an unkind word to say to anyone. Roger loved to grow and exhibit roses but most of all he loved to share information. He was a very good researcher about roses, growing conditions, soil, amendments and the best ways to care for roses. John Lester was a San Diego County Fair buddy and a very fine rose exhibitor. John was an exacting groomer of exhibition roses and he and Barbara were always coming up with top awards from any show they entered. I remember so clearly John's joy in sharing the beauty of the roses in his garden and he grew those roses so very well.

Dick Streeper hybridized several roses, of which I have had several in my garden. I appreciate so many rose-related articles and presentations he shared in his long career as the premier

"rose man" of San Diego. Dick's feeding programs greatly influenced how I care for my roses and his example of teaching with simplicity and well researched information was a huge gift to the rose-growing world.

Bob Martin was my dear friend and I loved him. Bob hybridized some really beautiful roses, of which I have the joy of having several. He would always and happily give detailed and accurate information about an astoundingly large number of rose subjects. His rose knowledge base was encyclopedic, yet he could explain the information in a way even a novice rose grower could grasp. While serving as vice president and then president of the American Rose Society, Bob still gave so much of his time and talent to our local and neighboring societies because he so strongly believed we were (are) the future of roses in this world.

When I walk my garden I think these wonderful friends walk along side of me, continue to mentor me, and surely smell the fragrance and bask in the beauty of the roses. Come and enjoy the garden, the sunshine and some chocolate

chip cookies.