Greater Atlanta Rose Society - GARS

10/01/2026

Here’s the new rose 🌹 map from Meilland International.
Which ones would you choose?
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09/22/2026

Here’s a new introduction to add to the no -spray garden .🪴

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2027 Local Artist Award from the American Rose Trials for Sustainability®
Congratulations to hybridizer Ping Lim and sponsor Altman Plants for the rose Coral Keepsake™ (‘AA057P’) which was awarded the Local Artist award in this tough “no-spray,” low input trial. A salmon-colored floribunda, Coral Keepsake™ sports double, high-centered blooms that nicely contrast with rich reddish-green glossy foliage. This rose variety was a winner in trials in the upper Midwest to the northern parts of the eastern seaboard. A detailed region map is available at https://www.americanrosetrialsforsustainability.org/climate-zone-map. Learn more about the A.R.T.S.® no-spray trials and all the award winners for your specific region at www.trustedroses.org.

09/19/2026

Stop and Smell the ROSES.

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09/03/2026

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09/02/2026

Many of these varieties perform extremely well here in the Atlanta metropolitan area.
Do you have any of these in your garden 🪴?

Looking for a little gardening inspiration? Lean into rose season with these striking varieties straight from Martha Stewart’s very own garden. Learn more at the link below ⬇️
📸: Alex Manders / Getty Images

08/25/2026

🌹Clean Pruners = Healthier Roses!

One of the simplest things you can do to help prevent disease from spreading through your rose garden is to sanitize your pruners between every rosebush. And one of our favorite choices for the job? 70% isopropyl alcohol.

Why alcohol? 👇

🦠 It helps stop the spread of pathogens.
Pruners can easily pick up fungal spores, bacteria, and viruses from one plant and transfer them to the next. Sanitizing between plants helps break that cycle.

🔧 It’s gentler on your tools.
Compared with bleach solutions, alcohol is less corrosive to metal blades, helping keep your pruners in better condition.

⚡ It’s quick and convenient.
Alcohol works quickly and doesn’t require a long soaking period or a water rinse.

🥀 HOW TO DO IT:

✔️ Use 70% isopropyl alcohol. Higher concentrations can evaporate too quickly, reducing the amount of contact time.

✔️ Apply it to both sides of the blades. Spray, splash, or wipe the alcohol over the cutting surfaces.

✔️ Give it 30 seconds. Keep the blades wet with alcohol for about 30 seconds.

✔️ Wipe dry. Use a clean rag before making your next cut.

Then move on to the next rose—and repeat! 🥀

It may seem like a small extra step, but when you’re working with multiple roses, clean tools are an important part of good rose hygiene. Your roses will thank you! ❤️

08/21/2026

Keep your roses blooming beautifully through late summer with a few simple habits:
deep morning watering, plenty of sun, regular deadheading, mulch, light feeding, and excellent airflow circulation.
Save this for your late Summer rose-care routine.
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07/23/2026

🌹 ROSE BLOOM FORMS COMPARED:
Not all roses open the same way, and bloom shape can tell you a lot about the rose you’re growing.
Have you ever noticed how one rose looks like a perfect cup, while another looks like a tightly packed rosette or a wide-open saucer?
Rose blooms come in different forms, and each has its own character. 🌹
🌹 1. SINGLE
Simple and elegant, with a small number of petals arranged around prominent stamens. These open blooms can be especially attractive to pollinators.
🌹 2. SEMI-DOUBLE
More petals than a single rose, but the center is often still visible. A beautiful balance between simplicity and fullness.
🌹 3. DOUBLE
Packed with many petals, creating a fuller, more traditional rose appearance. The center may be partially or completely hidden.
🌹 4. VERY DOUBLE
Extremely petal-rich blooms with a dense, luxurious appearance. The center is usually hidden beneath layers of petals.
🌹 5. CUPPED
The petals curve inward, creating a rounded, bowl-like shape. Some blooms stay deeply cupped even when fully open.
🌹 6. ROSETTE
A densely layered flower with petals arranged in a swirling pattern, often resembling a miniature rosette.
🌹 7. QUARTERED ROSETTE
The petals form a rosette divided visually into sections, creating a distinctive, highly structured pattern.
🌹 8. POM-POM
Small, rounded, densely petaled flowers that look almost like little balls of petals.
🌹 9. FLAT
The petals spread outward, producing a wide, open bloom that can make the flower look almost saucer-shaped.
🌹 10. TURBINATE
A more unusual form with petals that create a distinctive, somewhat pointed or geometric appearance.
🌿 THE FUN PART?
A rose can change shape as it opens. Weather, temperature, the age of the blossom, and growing conditions can all influence how a bloom looks.
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07/20/2026

Such SAD news.

David J. C. Austin
Chairman, David Austin Roses
1958-2026

It is with great sadness that we announce that David J. C. Austin has died at his Shropshire home, surrounded by his family. He had been diagnosed with Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), a rare and incurable neurological condition.

David joined the family business in Albrighton, Shropshire, in 1990, as his father, the late David C. H. Austin, was gaining wider recognition for his work in breeding English Roses. He went on to lead the business for more than three decades, driving its growth and transformation from a specialist nursery into a globally recognised name among rose lovers. Throughout his leadership, the creation of beautiful, fragrant roses was always central to the business he built.

David’s children, Richard, James and Olivia, said:

“First and foremost, Dad was a gardener. That was at the heart of who he was. He carried our grandfather’s vision with humility and an unwavering sense of responsibility, always putting the roses, the family business and its people before himself. He was kind and modest, with a playful spirit, a sense of adventure and a real enjoyment of life. He faced his illness with the same courage and dignity that he brought to life. Above all, he was our Dad, and words cannot express how much we will miss him. We couldn’t be more proud of him.”

The Austin family would like to thank everyone who cared for David and supported them during his illness.

David Austin Roses continues under its experienced leadership team, working closely with the next generation of the Austin family, and we are as committed as ever to serving our partners and rose lovers around the world.

07/03/2026

Happy 4th!
Enjoy your holiday weekend.
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