David Austin, creator of the much-loved David Austin roses, died on December 18, 2018 at his home in England. He was an inspiring rose breeder that made English roses popular the world over. Many of these are disease resistant and grown by PRS members. More on his life and legacy is here.

On January 21, 2018 PRS VP Lou Giacchino received the American Rose Society - Colonial District Consulting Rosarian of the Year Award from District Vice-Director Ray Shipley.

Potomac Rose Society Featured in
American Rose Magazine

PRS is on the move! Please take a look at our outstanding, ARS Mag Article A Rose Society Focused on the Future.pdf on page 86 of the March/April 2017 issue of American Rose, the magazine of the American Rose Society.

Rose Tunnel by Inez Jackson

As PRS aspires to continue its leadership and service, it has been listening to rose lovers. Over the last decade, potential members have been telling us they want beautiful, fragrant, environmentally sustainable, low maintenance roses! PRS has responded by diversifying our programming to make more information available on growing modern and old garden roses in the mid-Atlantic region without the use of synthetic chemicals.

Roseraie du Chatelet by Lisa Mundy

Our programs have been both interesting and informative. A recent talk featured University of Maryland Professor, Mike Raupp, Ph.D.—“The Bug Guy”—who is a frequently-called expert on CNN, MSNBC, and other networks. He has also been a guest on late night TV. Mike presented a fascinating advocacy for Integrated Pest Management in rose gardens. And, the very next day, he was interviewed on local radio station, WTOP.

Scarborough Fair by Carol Edwards

Our June 3 Symposium on Disease Resistant Roses was designed to show that beautiful roses indeed can be grown without spraying synthetic chemicals! Our distinguished guest speakers included Pat Shanley, President of the American Rose Society; and keynote speaker, Gaye Hammond, former President of the Houston Texas Rose Society, the largest in the US.

At the symposium, we discussed the Top Ten Disease-Resistant Rose Varieties for the mid-Atlantic region. These roses were selected on the basis of in-garden experience of PRS members. We took orders for a limited number of these varieties that we have for sale, with delivery within the first week after the symposium. Our venue was the new Silver Spring Library, located at 900 Wayne Avenue. The event was free and open to the public.

Top photo of Gemini rose by Rich Baer