American Rose Society celebrates 50 years of blooms in Shreveport
Fifty years ago, in the March 20, 1974, edition of The Shreveport Times, it is written “A whole new era is being ushered in as the city adds new dimensions with emphasis on horticultural beauty as a part of useful, educational and recreational life.”
It was referring to the near completion of the 118-acre rose garden, just west of Shreveport, that would operate as the national headquarters of the American Rose Society, which formed in 1892.
“Over the last 50 years the Shreveport community has been very supportive of the American Rose Society, and we have enjoyed sharing our love of roses with the members of the Shreveport community,” said Executive Director Claire Bissell.
Today, it stands as the nation’s largest park dedicated to roses, with more than 6,000 rose plants and 5,000 other plants. Among them is the bright pink Horace McFarland Rose.
It is named for John Horace McFarland, who served as the society’s president from 1930 to 1932. In 2017, the organization’s Board of Directors unanimously voted to bestow him the title of "Father of the American Rose Society."
“McFarland was, and is, the most significant contributor to the organization," reads the American Rose Society website. "To this day, he remains the most remarkable and most loved rosarian the American Rose Society has known.”
Several roses are in bloom now, while countless buds await their chance. The peak rose bloom season is between mid-April and mid-May.
The organization completed a five-year, $2 million Great Garden Restoration project that has transformed the gardens, with a series of circle gardens that tell the story of the history of the rose in America.
A stone statue in one of the gardens pays homage to Will Radler, known as the father of the Knock Out Rose.
“A love of roses, creative mind, curious soul and generous heart sparked a revolution in the world of horticulture. Roses for everyone,” it reads.
“When you walk around the grounds, you feel as if you have escaped the hustle and bustle of town and can appreciate the peace and beauty that only nature can provide,” Bissell said.
Submissions are being excepted for Spring 2024: Exhibition of Botanical Art and Illustration. Any works that highlights flowers, plants, trees, leaves, cactus, succulents and especially roses will be considered.
Who: Eligible artists are all botanical fine artists and illustrators, photographers.
What: excellent botanical artwork in any medium including photography.
Send an email to Felicia Kay: felicia@rose.org, no later than April 11
Deadline for entries to be delivered is April 15
Hours of operation are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Admission to the gardens is $5 a person or $10 a family.
This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: American Rose Society celebrates 50 years in Shreveport
