We have some winners!

The Festival of Roses today was a lovely success, and without further delay here are the roses!!

Ed and Barbara Bull – Most Fragrant Bouquet or Arrangement for ‘Double Delight’

Most Beautiful Bloom went to John Botlensek for ‘Perfume Delight’. John and his wife live in Jacksonville and became new members of MCRS today. In view of our conversation at the lunch table today I’m sure Mrs. Botlensek understands why I have no clue what her first name is. Thankfully, their name tags will be ready for the next meeting.

Linda Rengarts took the Most Beautiful Spray prize with ‘Lyda Rose’.

John Botlensek also took the prize for Most Fragrant Bloom with ‘Fragrant Cloud’. Welcome!!

Ed and Barbara Bull won again, too. Most Creative Rose Display with ‘St. Patrick’

Most Beautiful Flouting Display went to Nancy Stout for ‘Fame’.

And Carolyn Parker’s choice for Best in Show was Bud Stout’s ‘Double Knock Out’ in the bikini vase.

Congratulations to the happy winners and big thank yous to the voting public. It just shows that democracy works with roses, too.

Now on with the rest of the show with my apologies to most of the red roses. Apparently, there is a secret to getting red right that no one is telling me, so rather than present ‘Don Juan’ and ‘Kanegem’ badly, I chose to leave them out along with many other stunning reds. Darn! (All photos are clickable for a larger view.)




        

 



           

      
      
        

My proudest contribution to the Festival was my dear 'Madame Abel Chatenay'. Would you like to know the difference between early Hybrid Teas and the modern versions? Take a look at the photo below. My demure Victorian lady stands among giants.

     
     

     

'Anne-Ayemone Giscard d'Estaing' was my personal favorite. A definite winner that can live in my garden anytime, assuming she doesn’t need spraying. I’d appreciate no one telling me what I don’t want to hear.

Just yummy!!

My choice for second best in show. I had no idea this rose is so beautiful.

     

There was an abundant supply of roses for sale, and considering I have no place to plant them, I brought home more than my share. Perhaps that explains the look on DH’s face.



         

'The McCartney Rose' is still a favorite from last year.

We’ll just have to recruit more OGR lovers so we can make up for size with quantity!

    
         
    
         
          
       


  
     

Mm-mm, I really do love this one.

 
     
    
   
   
Don’t you think there should have been an award for Teensiest of Show. ‘Serratipetala’ would have won!


   

'Sweet Juliet' really is sweet.

 
I knew ‘Belinda’s Dream’ is gorgeous, but ‘Hawkeye Belle’ was a surprise and left me weak in the knees.

So we’ve gone from the winners’ table to tomorrow’s lunch table. The centerpieces should do wonders for our appetites.



Carolyn Parker’s presentation today was a delight. If you weren’t there, you really missed a good one. We all sat with jaws slightly hung open and eyes glistening like kids in front of a candy store window. We must have been a funny sight from Carolyn’s point of view. Rosarians are such an easy audience!