Name a Rose After Yourself!

I was chatting with my friend Robin yesterday. Recently she had read a story in the news that mentioned the "McCartney Rose" and wondered if I had ever heard of it.

"Yes, I've heard of it" I replied, " and I know it's named after Paul McCartney" but that's about all I could add to the conversation.

Then Robin stared asking other questions like: "Who names the roses?" and "When did they start naming roses?" and "Are there criteria for naming a rose?"

So for those of you who perhaps don't know either, I did some research and here is some of what I found out.

Who names roses and could you get one named after you?

Well before you can name it, is has to be grown, and it takes about 10 years to research, develop, and introduce a new rose. There are several trial fields, and in those trial fields are tens of thousands of rose bushes growing, labeled with numbers or codes.

According to the rules set out by the registration committee of the American Rose Society, the breeder of a rose gets to name it. If it is to be named for someone in particular, the American Rose Society requires a letter of authorization from the person after whom the rose will be named.

Basically, if you can find a rose breeder, and there are lots of them, you can pay to have a rose named after you, a loved one, or in honor of a celebrity like the McCartney Rose.

The cost can vary from $7,500 to $30,000, depending on the type and quality of the rose.

If you really want to spend some cash, Jackson & Perkins will name a new rose cultivar, or a intentionally selected variety for you. The cost is $75,000.

The package includes a flight to Los Angeles and a two-night stay in a five-star hotel. You get to choose your rose from acres and acres of unnamed roses at the company's research facility located in California.

In the spring, 300 of the custom roses will be delivered to you and your list of recipients, along with a case of Dom Perignon.

As to when this naming practice started, and what are the criteria, well, come back in a few days because that is what I will be writing about!

If you're reading this and have more information about this whole rose naming business and would like to share, post a comment so we can all learn a bit more!

Bye for now -

Garden Rock Craft Idea

Now that the weeds are taken care of, let's do something fun!

These Rock Teddy Bears are easy and fun to make. I think they are really different, and they give your yard a fresh lift. It's always nice to add something new to your garden, and these can be made as big or small you like.

Here is what you do:

1. Choose 12 rocks: 1 large for the body, 1 second largest for the head, 2 medium sized for the ears, 4 round ones for the feet and hands, and 4 oblong for arms and legs.

2. Get a Masonry Bit for your drill

3. Drill holes where the head, arms and legs go

4. Get some heavy duty wire and then wire together

What takes the most time is the drilling, but once that is done, you can set your Teddy Bear anywhere you want. These also make great gifts.

Till next week!

Weeds Going - Going - Gone!

Whew! My project is complete!

And.... Look at how much better it looks! I can't believe it!

It really didn't take long. I am so pleased with how nice the yard looks without any broadleaf weeds.

Everything is filling in very nicely, and with the extra compost I added, the lawn is really looking happy.

I think too, it was a good example to show just how easily the whole process can be, getting rid of broadleaf weeds in your lawn, by doing it all with organic products.

Of course now with all this scrutiny, I realize how ragged the ends of the grass blades are getting, so now I need to sharpen the blades on my mower.

Luckily I know how to do that, and in fact, I just wrote an article on How to Sharpen Lawn Mower Blades!

That's the fun thing about the green industry there is always something new to learn, try, or share with others.

Next week I have a really cool new gardening idea I want to share with everyone. I think you'll want to try it out.

Have a great week.