Desert Rose Society
What's on in the desert,
at the Desert Rose Society
November 10, 2026, 4:30 pm
Ray Martin, Secretary of The Rose Society of the United Kingdon
Ray is a prominent English rose enthusiast and very entertaining speaker. He will talk about his trip to the World Federation of Rose Society (WFRS) meetings held in Fukuyama “City of Roses” Japan. Representatives from over 35 countries attended the meetings. Lots happening on the world stage.
December 8, 2026, 4:30 pm
Membership Holiday Party
.A December holiday event is being planned for DRS members. Date, time, and location TBD.
October 13, 2026, 4:30 pm
Ruth Tiffany, District Director of the Pacific Southwest District of the ARS
She, as the District Director, is a voting member of the board of directors of the ARS and the best informed person to bring us up to date about the ARS. The ARS has been going through the roughest times currently of all the 100 plus years it has been in existence. Ruth will be encouraging our members to join the ARS and to participate in the district activities, and sharing information about the 2027 meeting in San Diego of the International Federation of Rose Societies.
Ruth will also be doing a presentation on striped roses.
May 12, 2026, 5:00 pm
Ice Cream Social
Join your fellow Rosarians for an Ice Cream Social for our last meeting before the summer break. Come to our usual meeting place, the Portola Community Center, and enjoy a selection of ice cream and toppings.
April 14, 2026, 4:30 pm
Desert Rose Society's Little Rose Show
Local rose growers and DRS members are invited to show their roses and rose arrangements in a casual and educational setting. The public is invited to view the rose show.
Check out the Rose Show page for results.
March 10 2026, 4:30 pm
Lou Pavlovich, Consulting Rosarian, Past President of the Tucson Rose Society
Lou Pavlovich will talk about what he has learned from growing roses for 50 years in the desert. His “Ten Valuable Lessons in Growing Roses” will include special tips regarding surviving the intense heat of the desert southwest.
He is an active ARS judge and grows over 450 roses in Tucson.
February 10, 2026, 4:30 pm
Gerry Mahoney, District Arrangement Chair and Webmaster
She will be talking about the many uses of roses in our society including how roses are used in cooking (candied petals, rosewater, infusions, savory spices). Gerry's lifetime experience with roses is impressive.
January 13, 2026, 4:30 pm
Hal Reynolds, Master Consulting Rosarians
Our January DRS meeting (Jan 13, 2026-4:30 pm) will be a presentation by our own Master Rosarian, Hal Reynolds. He will be talking about how to graft roses (and save yourself a ton of money). Hal, with his years of experience, has many “tricks and tips” to improve success rates.
Saturday, January 3, 2026 8am
Plan to help with the pruning of
the Palm Desert Rose Garden
This is a big undertaking, the 100 bushes all need to be pruned, the cuttings gathered and the concrete swept. We need many hands. The few of us who do consistently show up are older, have health issues and just cannot sit or squat for 3 or more hours to complete the pruning. As a society that promotes roses and education it is our responsibility to maintain this event as a public service.
Two to four of us cannot do this alone. A public demonstration of rose pruning techniques will be presented.
Please join us there and support the Desert Rose Society!
