Thomas Hobbs' Seasonal Rose Picks

From guest writer Terri Clark

Vancouver’s own garden guru, nurseryman and best selling author, Thomas Hobbs, revealed his rose-related roots in the floral trade when recently asked about holiday displays and gift ideas. Diligently multi-tasking in his super stylish gift store Hobbs, he rattled off his rose favourites for the festive season while expertly putting the finishing touches of imported ornaments on a divine copse of bare branches.

“If you are looking for a gift certificate of rose types my absolute no-fail favourites right now are the new shrub type roses from David Austin.” Pick number one is Rosa ‘Jude the Obscure’ .Even Thomas Hardy would have to agree that this medium yellow, highly fragrant and repeat bloomer fits the gift bill nicely whether in the hilly Dorset landscape or in a diminutive Vancouver garden. Rose selection two is called ‘Teasing Georgia’, a multi-petal, cupped flower that is a saffron yellow in the centre fading to the softest moonlight hues on the outer fringes. Strongly scented and a good grower, who could ask for more? “I sell thousands of roses every spring at my nursery Southlands and these two rose varieties fall into the no fail category and give great customer satisfaction.”

As for some old standards that have stood the test of time, Tom easily identified roses including the white Sally Holmes, Golden Wings and the deeply apricot coloured Leander.

And what does the famous Thomas Hobbs suggest for those of us wishing to create our own special “rose bowl” for the holiday table? “I would stick to a range of colours for interest such as salmon pinks mixed with coral oranges adding some artfully placed hypericum berries. Simple but beautiful, just like Nature itself.”

We couldn’t agree more!

Southlands Nursery – 604-266-6411
Hobbs Gift Store – 604-261-5998

The Gift of Christmas Roses

From guest writer Terri Clark

It’s hard not to be disheartened by the headlines over the past months and with the normally over-abundant Christmas season looming just around the corner many thoughts are turning to more affordable gift purchases this year. Being the child of Depression era parents I was raised to give practical but thoughtful gifts, ones that either fed the stomach or touched the soul.

A display of fresh roses during the holidays can never go wrong. Most florists and floral designers will be more than happy to take one of your sparkling cut glass or silver vases or bowls and fill them with a scented gift of greenhouse grown roses. Not only will this save on cost but the roses will convey the giver’s good thoughts in two sensorial ways- through fragrance and visual beauty.

Truly what can be more simple and elegant that a shimmering bowl full of roses amidst candle light on a dining room table, mantel or an aromatic nosegay at your bedside? The hip new Madison Avenue-style Quince Fine Florals in Vancouver’s MacKenzie Heights shopping district is using roses in an array of new ways. Last year’s Christmas craze starred the previously much maligned garnet-coloured carnation whose densely positioned heads covered orb-shaped oasis which were then displayed on large glass flutes. This year rose heads and hips will be featured not only in delightful balls but in artfully fashioned mini pillow-like wreaths and centerpieces for the home’s interior spaces.

For the garden rose lover, now is the time to discover those rare outdoor plants that are still giving their blooms even during the darkest months. What better gift than a nursery gift certificate from Select Roses for, say, Rosa Mutabilis, a species plant that has never failed to produce enough single blooms to be placed on my holiday table’s crisp linen napkins.

And for the real rose aficionado in your life, excellent stocking stuffers should include tickets to the World Rose Festival in Vancouver June 19- 21, 2009. This cornucopia of rose related events will include an internationally attended rose show, rose lectures, garden displays, marketplace, culinary treats, art and more.

What better way to say “Merry Christmas” throughout the year!

Ticket information for the World Rose Festival: www.worldrosefestival.com

Marketplace Exhibitor Special - Until December 3, 2008

Are you a former VanDusen exhibitor or sponsor? Sign-up to participate at the World Rose Festival! Don’t miss your June show due to the cancellation of VanDusen.

VanDusen Special - from 3 Nov – 3 Dec 2008

Exhibit Space at VanDusen prices*

*Proof of 2006/07 VanDusen exhibitor/sponsor agreements required

*Limited quantities available

Contact Jacque Pitts, Festival Sponsor and Exhibit Manager, for more information.

A few great roses this Fall!!

Hey Everyone! Gosh I have been so busy its been a while since posting. I will do my best to keep up the writing.

This fall has been a superb rose year in my garden and I just had to tell you about a few that were still flowering this first week of November. If it wasn't for the heavy rain, the blooms would have opened better but I did manage to sneak a few buds into the house and I'm enjoying the last rose fragrance of the season. If you are familiar with some of my favorite roses you will probably know the ones I'm talking about but for those of you that are new to my favorite roses, here is a few fall 08 winnners!

Julie Child. This is simply the best yellow floribundas I have ever grown! It's an amazing garden plant, outstanding healthy foliage and a flower power to match. I love the unique licorice fragrance. Everyone that plants one of these babies just raves about it! Julie bloomed from spring until fall this year, never out of flower and ohhh that yummy scent! This is what modern roses CAN be.

Summer Memories! and sweet ones they were. This is a new German Bred rose from the great Kordes breeding firm and falls into the "Fairy Tale" group of roses. They are known for amazing resistance to disease, ease of culture and winter hardiness. I LOVED the foliage on this rose, the charming old fashion looking flowers and that sweet almost fresh apple scent was very pleasing. Mom said it was such a crisp fresh looking rose! I agree - a real winner that kept on performing until fall.

"2009 Brad Jalbert Hybrid"

This is one of my new floribundas that has done outstanding in all out test trials! She grows with amazing vigour, well branched and has never been bothered by Blackspot or Powdery Mildew. Our Field plants were the best looking roses we had this year and I'm just so excited to see it introduced in 09. The naming and promo information on this beauty is top secret right now so I can't tell you more! Every one one of our test growers has sent in glowing reports on this variety. From what I have seen, it is the best floribunda in its colour glass. The flowers have a nicely formed bud, and open cleanly to reveal a nice boss of gold stamens. Her flowers held up great in the fall rains and as of today, November 7th, there is not a sign of Blackspot on the foliage! I'm one proud daddy here.