When am I on stage?

After listening to me rant about roses in this blog over the long, cold winter, come to hear what I have say in person! I am talking about my passion, roses, at 2:00 pm on Saturday at Activity Central, and again at 6:00 during a hands-on workshop. I will be wandering between the Festival and the Convention during my "off hours", so please tap me on the shoulder to say hi and to ask that rose question you have been wondering about.

It's finally here

The World Rose Festival has finally arrived. From this Friday to Sunday, come to the Vancouver Convention Centre to Experience the Rose... Check out the schedule, visit a participating garden shop to buy your tickets (or get them at the door), and plan how to spend your days surrounded by roses.

In the Realm of the Rose

by Terri Clark

I am just returned from a month’s sojourn in the eastern United States, specifically Connecticut. I go at this time of year to attend what I think is one of the best and most elegant garden shows called Trade Secrets. It hammers home the notion that people in great numbers do not need beguiling or begging to take part in exhibits and displays that are simple, beautiful, and educational with a big retail component. Read more...

Win a Garden Shopping Spree

What would you do to your garden with $5,500 to spend!

Enter to win, and you have the chance to transform your garden with a $5,500 shopping spree from the World Rose Festival, Crabtree & Evelyn, David Hunter Garden Centers, Northwest Landscape Supply Ltd., Select Roses, Selections Nursery, and Hunter Landscape Design.

Simply drop by any of these fine retailers now until June 18, and the World Rose Festival on June 19, 20, and 21 inside the new Vancouver Convention Centre, and complete your entry ballot.

One lucky winner will receive $5,500 in gift certificates from our Garden Shopping Spree sponsors.

Peter and Amanda Beales!

Rosarians, get out your calendars and ink in this seminar! World-famous rose expert, author, rose breeder and nurseryman, Peter Beales <www.classicroses.co.uk>, will make a special guest lecture on Saturday, June 20 at 12:00 pm, along with his daughter Amanda. The Beales are joining us from Norfolk, England, and you won't want to miss this one-time event.

Topic: Classic Roses in the Garden Landscape
Date: Saturday, June 20, 2009
Time: 12:00 p.m.
Location: Vancouver Convention Centre Exhibit Hall C, 1055 Canada Place

Find out more at www.worldrosefestival.com, on the Activity Central page.

Heavy Petal Contest Winner

They aren't your granny's bloomers!

We asked our readers, and the faithful blog followers over at HeavyPetal.ca, if roses really do have a place in the modern garden. And to convince blogger Andrea Bellamy to change her mind about them!

Find out who won, and why! Read on...

Farewell Dinner's Silent and Live Auctions - What is your strategy?

What could you "win" at the World Rose Convention - Farewell Dinner's Silent and Live Auctions? View the listing to prepare your strategy.