A Rose Named Peace

September 2022. When we bought a house in Denver, it came with a garden, and a history. The home had belonged to Matt and Elaine Mateyka, and Matt had made a second career (according the neighbors, his first was in the CIA) as a television gardener. Matt had died two decades earlier, but the bones … Continue reading A Rose Named Peace

The Roses to Plant: Cultivars for Use in Colorado’s Post-Japanese Beetle Life

By Susan Wroble, May 2020 What’s a rose lover to do? Japanese Beetles invaded the Denver area in 2006 and have exploded in numbers ever since. While some home gardeners are ripping out their rose beds, Colorado State University’s Dr. Whitney Cranshaw had a much better plan. Dr. Cranshaw, a Professor of Entomology, undertook a … Continue reading The Roses to Plant: Cultivars for Use in Colorado’s Post-Japanese Beetle Life

Chris van Cleave: The Redneck Rosarian

Gardener, writer and speaker Chris VanCleave, also known as “The Redneck Rosarian,” was the Denver Rose Society’s guest speaker for the annual SymROSEium. “I’ve been growing roses all my life,” Chris said. “Roses are in my blood. And no matter where you are in your own life journey, no matter where you are in the … Continue reading Chris van Cleave: The Redneck Rosarian

A Labor of Patience: Carol O’Meara on Japanese Beetles

Carol O’Meara is a horticultural entomologist and an extension agent in Colorado, but she grew up on the East Coast. When she and her siblings got into trouble, her family had chores for each kid. Carol’s job was picking Japanese beetles from the roses. “I spent a LOT of time picking off Japanese beetles,” Carol … Continue reading A Labor of Patience: Carol O’Meara on Japanese Beetles