RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - Everything was coming up roses when two Master Rosarians Linda Knowles and Charlotte Owendyk shared their passion for the magnificent flowers at the River Valley Garden Club meeting on April 22.

“Forgive us if we are little overly excited,” Knowles told the audience. “Every single day more roses are coming out, and we have to go out three times a day to see the new ones.” 

At the same meeting, the garden club also awarded a $1,000 scholarship to a horticulture student. (See "Garden Club Presents Horticultural Scholarship".) 

Club Vice President Nancy Compton introduced Knowles and Owendyk as lifelong rose enthusiasts who share approximately 700 rose plants between them. Their gardens, located near each other in Roseville, differ in style and size. Both are active members of two local rose societies and have been featured in magazines. As Master Rosarians, they have been officially recognized by rose societies for their extensive knowledge and experience.

In a presentation that resembled a lively tennis match as they volleyed points back and forth, the speakers shared why they love roses and offered tips on growing and pruning them. The centerpiece of their talk was a PowerPoint showcasing dozens of rose varieties, with the speakers providing details — and plenty of humorous asides — about each one.

To Knowles and Owendyk, roses are far more than just ornamental plants. They see them as dynamic, resilient, life-enhancing garden companions that offer multiple benefits.

“They bloom their heads off,” Owendyk explained, highlighting the flower’s remarkable ability to produce abundant, beautiful blooms. They noted that in Southern California, roses can bloom almost year-round, with some varieties producing flowers even after Christmas.

They also emphasized the rose’s incredible versatility. Roses can thrive in various conditions, from full sun to partial shade, and adapt to different spaces such as pots, arbors and fences.

“You can use vertical space,” Owendyk said. “Who wants to look at a blank wall?”

Beyond their visual beauty, roses offer fragrance, color variation and continuous seasonal interest.

Their organic, sustainable approach to growing roses is based on working with nature rather than against it. They completely reject chemical fertilizers and pesticides, believing these products disrupt the delicate soil ecosystem.

“About 20 years ago, they learned about the soil web and all the bacteria and fungi that support the roots,” Owendyk explained, highlighting their scientific understanding of soil health. 

Their fertilization strategy relies entirely on organic methods, using products such as EB Stone, horse manure, feather meal and earthworm castings. They apply these nutrients two to three times a year, mainly after pruning and again in the spring, while avoiding summer feedings when roses are heat-stressed.

They practice integrated pest management. Instead of spraying chemicals, they welcome beneficial insects like ladybugs and birds that naturally control pests. 

“We didn’t spray with any kind of pesticide, so they’re not going to fall over and die,” Linda noted, referring to beneficial insects. When they see aphids, they leave them as food for birds and ladybugs, understanding each creature’s role in the ecosystem.

 Mulching and water conservation are key components of their approach. They use organic mulch, compost and ground covers to protect soil, retain moisture and provide nutrients. They’re mindful of water usage, recommending two to three inches of water weekly with good drainage. 

Knowles and Owendyk believe pruning is a critical, strategic process for maintaining healthy, vibrant rose bushes. Their approach focuses on removing old, unproductive canes to encourage new growth.

“We like to get rid of canes that are old and gray,” Charlotte explained, highlighting their preference for younger, more vigorous stems. They noted that roses are typically out of bloom for only about three months while recovering from pruning.

Knowles also shared a helpful tip about stem length: “The taller you pick, cut the rose off, the taller your next stem is going to be.” They recommended cutting stems low and removing less productive growth to stimulate strong new cane development.

Sometimes, as Knowles humorously noted, she’ll tell a rose, “OK, you can stay another year,” showing their intuitive approach that balances scientific understanding and personal connection to their plants. 

Their PowerPoint showcased dozens of rose varieties growing in their own gardens or other locations, all falling into five modern rose classifications. Hybrid Teas are roses that grow on a single stem. Floribundas and Polyanthas feature clusters of large to medium-sized flowers, while Miniatures and Mini Floras produce tiny to small blooms. The other two classifications are Shrubs and Climbers.

An example of a Hybrid Tea rose was the Firefighter Rose, named in honor of 9/11 firefighters. It features a smoky red color and an impressive, “knock-your-socks-off” fragrance. They also highlighted the Hot Cocoa Rose, a Floribunda dating back to the 1920s that “loves the Sacramento sun.”

The smaller Cecile Bruner Polyantha blooms only once a year, but for an entire month, producing tiny pink blossoms. Knowles shared a nostalgic memory about the rose, also known as the Sweetheart Rose.

“About every fifth house in Southern California had one eating the garage, carport or porch,” she said.

Knowles went on to explain the next classification: “The name Miniature, or Mini Flora, comes from the size of the bloom, not the bush, although most of the bushes are small.”

The speakers praised smaller roses for their versatility, compact size, and ability to add color and texture to garden spaces. They also recommended planting them in front of larger roses to help cover bare stems.

“They’re great to put in patios and pots,” Owendyk added.

Owendyk also emphasized the versatility of climbers, which transform garden spaces by using walls, fences, and arbors to create stunning vertical displays.

 One of the climbers they highlighted was Pierre de Ronsard, also known as Climbing Eden, developed in France.

Knowles noted that it features a unique color progression from pink to white to a greenish hue. It also has a “nodding habit,” where the flowers hang downward, making it especially beautiful on arbors where the blooms can be appreciated from below.

After their presentation ended, the lasting impression of their love for roses was clear, leaving the audience with a deeper appreciation for these extraordinary blooms.