Restoring Roses to Southern Gardens

Never, never, never, never give up!

Winston Churchill

Life doesn’t always run the straight course that we so carefully lay out. But sometimes the side roads are the most interesting part of the journey. David and I had planned to leave for the Southern Gulf on April 10th for a two week tour of Habitat for Humanity new home dedications and to set up distribution sites for the influx of roses in 2007. Plans were changed when I severely injured my hand and suffered from a subsequent infection that left me quite ill. Improvement in my physical condition is continuing on a daily basis and for that I am most grateful.

The old adage that says when a door shuts a window opens is so incredibly true concerning the Restoring Roses to Southern Gardens Project. While recuperating at home I began correspondence with a large group of Master Gardeners in Louisiana, Texas, Alabama and Tennessee. I told them that as the South rebuilds with the help of Habitat for Humanity our need for roses will increase exponentially. This is an enormous project, requiring literally thousands of roses through the next several years. Wisdom must be used concerning the resources that are entrusted to this project. Right now I am purchasing roses from Chamblee’s in Tyler Texas. The cost of each plant and the shipping charges associated with it amounts to around $6.50 per plant. That’s when I began to think about the propagation of non-patented Old Garden Roses.

I have asked for help from all Master Gardeners who are interested in this project. I would be willing to buy the original stock of roses for making the cuttings if they cannot locate a free source near them. Through networking with large nurseries and companies like Kellogg’s and Home Depot I believe that I can secure donations of the necessary pots and potting soil. The responsibility of the Master Gardeners would be to obtain the cuttings, tag the plants and help those little babies grow into healthy young bushes that we can distribute to locations where they are needed the most. This appears at the present to be the most cost effective method of providing roses for this project. It is more time consuming, but that hasn’t shaken the resolve of those who are signing on as participants. Elizabeth, a Master Gardener from Louisiana writes:

I am a St Tammany Master Gardener class of 2003.  Please include me on the list of those who would love to help in your ambitious and wonderful project.  I work full time, but am close to home, here in Mandeville.  I'm sure I can be of some assistance, just let me know what you need, and I'll do my best.  I love the ideas you have brought forward and would be honored to be a part of this great and wonderful task. I'm in it for the long haul with you...I have no plans on going anywhere. I'm from this area and will stay.

These people are determined to restore their communities and their way of life. They are not giving up, nor should we. Restoring Roses to Southern Gardens offers us a chance to work together with other Americans to bring back the beauty that the storms have stolen from our neighbors. In the process of growing roses we will also be growing friends.