Argentina

Nilda Crivelli

I started growing roses in the early 1980s, when we moved to the house we are still living in Hurlingham, Buenos Aires. I have a small garden where I grow perennials among Hybrid Teas, Floribunda and Shrubs, and my house is surrounded by Climbers. I joined the Asociación Argentina de Rosicultura in 1989 and became a Horticultural Judge in 1997 after a three year course given by Mrs Susan Begg. I have been much involved in our Association, assuming different committee positions, including President from 2003 to 2006. I have also been Chair of several rose shows. I am an active exhibitor; I have won many ribbons and awards but my dearest ones are “The Best Group of the Show” in the WFRS Convention Rose Show in 2001 in Buenos Aires and the R.N.R.S. Bronze Medal to the Best Hybrid Tea, October 2008. I have attended the WFRS Conventions in Buenos Aires, Uruguay and Chile. I am very lucky to be able to attend the World Rose Convention 2009 and it is a great honour to be judging at the Rose Festival.

Australia

Glynis Hayne

Currently the President, Rose Society of NSW Inc. and President, National Rose Society of Australia, my interest in roses began in earnest after exhibiting roses grown by my father in a local agricultural show in 1987. Over the next 21 years as a rosarian, I progressed within the rose society eventually becoming an A Grade Exhibitor, Senior Judge and President of the National Rose Society of Australia. I enjoy all aspects of being a rosarian and get particular joy from learning more about roses and passing on the knowledge I have gained onto others. I have judged at all levels in Australia from monthly show benches to National titles and now look forward to judging at an international level.

Margaret Macgregor

Margaret has a life-long passion for roses. She has been a member of the Rose Society of Victoria (Australia) since 1966 and has held several positions including Vice President and Chairman of the Centenary Committee. She was appointed Vice President for Australasia to the World Federation of Rose Societies in 2000. She lectures on Rose Culture to rose societies and garden clubs through Victoria. She is an accredited Rose Judge (Australia) and Horticultural Judge (ARS) and has judged at international rose shows around the world. She grows a wide variety of roses but has a particular interest in Miniature Roses and H.T. Roses. She won a WFRS Silver medal in 2006 and an Australian Rose Award in 2007.

New Zealand

Peter Elliott

I am WFRS Vice President for Australasia and one year ago completed a 4 year term as President of the N Z Rose Society. I have been the National Chief Judge for 7 years and also Chairman of the N Z International Rose Trial Ground Committee for last 14 years. I have judged in Australia and the UK. My wife and I live on a 3 acre life style block in the Manawatu Province (North Island) in NZ and grow over 250 roses as well as other flowers/shrubs. I am a very keen rose exhibitor with a special interest in floral classes. I have attended World Rose Conventions and Regional Conventions in Sydney, Christchurch, Auckland, Osaka and Adelaide.

Janice Walker

I have been an active member of the Northland Rose Society since 1990. At first my main interest was in the exhibiting of both miniature and large roses, but gradually my passion developed towards judging. I gained my National judging qualification and now travel exhibit and judge at as many local and national shows as possible. At the National Autumn Show in 2007, I was delighted to discover that I had won all the miniature champions as well as the Champion of Champions in both the miniature and large rose sections. I enjoy the challenge of judging both miniature and large roses, and recently my interests have widened to include the judging of floral arrangments. The most exciting sentence ever heard was that you could make your own roses, so after a few lessons I now cross my own roses and can't wait to see what emerges. I have yet to master completely the skill of budding. I have been lucky enough to have had a few successes and have at present a miniature and a large florabunda in the New Zealand trial grounds in Palmerston North.

Derrol White

Competive by nature, it was inevitable that I would end up exhibiting and judging at rose shows to learn more about achieving excellence. After joining the Northland Rose Society in 1980, I began to grow roses in earnest. This passion has developed over the years, I now have over 800 roses which spill onto the neighbours driveway. I have exhibited at local and national shows for over twenty years from one end of New Zealand to the other.
In 2000 Helen and I took roses to the South West Pacific District show in Studio City, Los Angeles, where we were successful and then onto the World Convention in Houston, Texas where again we managed to get four placings. This would be one of the best moments of my career. In 2004, I was lucky enough to have the opportunity to judge at the American Rose Society's Spring Show in
San Deigo. This was an honour and a great experience. I enjoy showing both minature, large roses floral arrangements and particularly display vases. I have over the years won seven National Champion display vases and ten National Champion of Champions. I have held a position on the New Zealand National Council for four years and took an active part on the exhibition commitee.

Switzerland

Gerald Meylan

Dr Gérald Meylan is the current President of the World Federation of Rose Societies (WFRS) and is the Honorary President of the Horticultural Society of Geneva for which he was Secretary from 1966 to 1986 and then President from 1986 to 2006. He has also been a member of the permanent judging panel of the International Rose Trials of Geneva since 1967, Secretary since 1971, President of Commission since 2004, and Honorary President since 2009. Dr. Meylan was a founding member of the Swiss Society of Roses, and has been an honorary member since 2007. In addition to his work with roses, Dr. Meylan, formerly Director of the Laboratory of Agronomy of Geneva and Principal of the Horticultural School of Geneva, is now consulting in the areas of environment, horticulture and landscaping. He has also authored many scientific, technical and professional publications in the fields of plant protection, recycling and control of organic matter, and cultivating techniques in floriculture, in particular roses and chrysanthemums. He has a PhD in Natural Science.

United States

Jolene Adams

Jolene Adams presently tends 150+ roses of all types including Hybrid Teas and Grandifloras, Floribundas, Climbers, Polyanthas, Miniatures and Minifloras, Shrubs and Groundcover Roses and the smaller Old Garden Roses on a small city lot in Hayward, California.She has served two terms as the Northern California-Nevada-Hawaii District Director of the American Rose Society and is a member of the ARS Executive Committee. Currently she is a member of the ARS Horticultural Judges Committee, the ARS Strategic Planning Committee, the ARS Bylaws Committee, the ARS Program Services Committee, and has been the chair of the ARS E.Rose Committee (for 15 years). She is also the web mistress for the ARS web site at www.ars.org. Jolene is a candidate for ARS Vice President.Jolene was the first web master for the World Federation of Rose Societies and has attended several WFRS Conventions - twice as the ARS Delegate to various standing committees. She has judged at the Tokyo Rose Show, Hampton Court Rose Show, and at several international rose trials. She regularly serves on the faculty of Judging Schools in the United States and has judged over a dozen ARS National Rose Shows and 4 ARS National All-Mini Rose Shows.

Nita Bowen

Nita is currently Director of Region 2 of the American Rose Society. Formerly she held the following positions: Colonial District Director, Vice Director and Secretary of the Colonial District; Past President and Past Secretary of the Arlington Rose Foundation; Director of the Potomac Rose Society; and Chairperson of the 1995 Colonial District Pre Spring Meeting. Nita is an accredited Horticultural Judge and Consulting Rosarian. She has been Chairperson of Judges at numerous rose shows and judges at the local, district and national levels. She has served on the faculty of judges and consulting rosarian schools. Nita is an active exhibitor, having a garden which contains approximately 300 roses. She and her garden have been featured in several newspaper articles. For many years, she has served at local nurseries as garden advisor, encouraging and advising customers on growing roses. She Has demonstrated exceptional leadership through her professional experiences over many years in assisting very high level business executives.

JoAnn Brehm

I had just lost my roses to an unusually harsh winter in Richland, Washington. I grew up with roses, but I thought you just planted and picked them! I called my late mother, Ruth Mickelson, on the phone and cried, “I can’t grow roses like you do!” At her insistence I joined the Tri-City Rose Society and soon entered my first rose show. I entered a bloom in a water globe; it looked so gorgeous and big! I overheard, “let her enter it, she’s new, she didn’t know the rules, we want to encourage her.” That’s when I met the late Leona Mattison, who took me under her wing. You couldn’t say no to Leona, and because of her I’m a Consulting Rosarian, and both a horticulture and arrangement judge. I’ve held local offices and taught in district arrangement schools and audits, and hope to one day hold a Pacific Northwest District office just like my mentors. By the way, my first WFRS conference I attended was with these lovely ladies in Toronto in 1985!

Bill Christensen

Both of my parents were avid gardeners, my mother concentrating on perennial borders and annuals and my father on growing dahlias and spring bulbs. We lived in an old house in Denver, with roses which pre-dated my parents' 1939 ownership and which included Harrison's Yellow, the Scotch Briar Rose, and some unidentified hybrid perpetuals. I began growing roses while stationed at an Army hospital during the Vietnam War as a respite from the treatment of wounded troops. After discharge from the Army, I moved to Albuquerque when I helped install a rose garden at the hospital where I worked. Through my receptionist, who was taking painting lessons from Siegfried Hahn and Howard Wexler, I became interested in the old garden roses which they were importing from Denmark, France and England and, over many years, greatly benefited from Sigfried and Howard's knowledge. My first roses were from Yesterday and Today. Dorothy Stemler's catalogues had to be some of the best every written. With my partner, Kreg Hill, I am still growing some of these roses, all of which are now are on their own roots, having been twice replanted. I am a member of the ARS, with my home society now the Desert Rose Society. I have been a member of the Albuquerque Rose Society for 23 years. I am an ARS horticulture and arrangement judge and a National Garden Club Life Judge. I still practice medicine part time and enjoy spending whatever free time I have with my Australian Terriers.

Ron Feurer

I started growing roses at a very young age in the early sixties in Columbia, Ohio. Eventfully I had approximately 450 roses of different types and varieties. I became a horticulture judge in the mid 1960s and an Arrangement Judge several years ago. I currently live in Palm Springs, California which is a desert climate so growing roses can be a challenge. We have beautiful roses in the spring and late fall. The summer months we water and deadhead. Some of my positions I have held besides offices of local rose society was Buckeye District (Ohio), Chairman of Prizes and Awards Committee, ARS National Chairman of Prizes and Awards Committee and currently serve as Chairman of the Prizes and Awards Committee for the Pacific Southwest District. Recently I relocated to a condominium and have approximately 75 roses in the ground and container grown plus assorted plant materials for arrangements.

Joan Franson

I enjoy judging both horticulture and design.  We grow about 150 roses of all types.  In 1959, I joined the ARS and have been active in rose societies since 1961.  Teaching and writing about roses is a joy.  Sharing information about roses and constantly learning new things is a constant vocation.  Garden club activities, reading, traveling and owning a Chinese Shar-pei occupy the rest of my time.

Cheryl Frechette

My love of rose growing started when I was a child and learned to select, plant, and care for roses from my grandmother. I currently have about 125 rose plants, including many classes of modern roses and some OGRs and species roses, growing in my Boulder, Colorado yard in full view of the Rocky Mountains. I love growing and exhibiting! I am President of the Boulder Valley Rose Society. Our society is responsible for the design, development and maintenance of the rose gardens at the Boulder Dushanbe Tea House, the building being a gift to the city of Boulder by the city of Tajikistan and the roses exclusively on their own roots and organically fed. I am the District Chair for Roses in Review for the Rocky Mountain District and am an ARS accredited horticultural judge and consulting rosarian. I have judged 3 ARS National Rose Shows and numerous district and local shows.

Rose Gilardi

After joining the San Francisco Rose Society in 1971 it was only a few short years before I became President and took the test to become a rose judge. I grow about 100 large roses of all types plus about 650 Miniature/MiniFlora roses in my city garden. I served as District Director for the Northern California-Nevada and Hawaii District of the American Rose Society for 8 years attending all ARS National Board Meetings and Conventions. I am the recipient of two ARS Presidential Citations, the first AARS National Evaluator Citation, the ARS District Silver Honor Medal, three ARS Bronze Medals and was selected District Outstanding Judge for NCNH District. I am a member of several ARS National Committees and have chaired the Prices and Awards committee for 6 years. For over 20 years I am a member of the ARS Miniature/MiniFlora rose testing committee and for 12 years a member of the AARS National Public Garden Committee. I have attended all WFRS conventions since 1983, twice as a delegate representing ARS. I have judged at all of the WFRS shows with many different judges from around the world. I have judged the Royal National Miniature Rose Show in England and was invited to judge the rose section at the Chelsea Flower Show. I am currently on the International Judging Panel and have judged Rose Hills test gardens for several years, last year as head judge.

Ed Griffith

Ed has held several offices in the American Rose Society, local rose society or other horticulture organization, including: member of ARS Public Gardens Committee, ARS Photo Contest Committee and ARS Convention Planning Committee, Chairman of World Federation of Rose Societies Judging Committee, Life Member of the American Rose Society, Master Consulting Rosarian, Accredited ARS Life Horticulture Judge, Accredited ARS Arrangement Judge, Accredited Horticulture Judge Royal National Rose Society, and Patron of The American Rose Society. Contributions to the advancement of the American Rose Society, rose culture, breeding, collecting, lecturing, writing, and research including the following initiatives: frequent speaker on rose culture and on growing, exhibiting and judging; instructor and lecturer; special rose consultant; and editor/author of articles appearing various publications. Ed has won many judge awards including Outstanding Consulting Rosarian Award and The American Rose Society President's Citation for: "Years of unswerving dedication to the ideals of and for the betterment of The American Rose Society's Judging Program”.

Kreg Hill

I am the current ARS Director for the Pacific Southwest District, Chairman of the ARS Strategic Planning Committee, and a Trustee of the Maintenance Endowment Trust for the American Rose Center. My home society is now the Desert Rose Society in Palm Springs. My interest in roses began 40 years ago when my father asked me to landscape the upscale houses which he was building in Albuquerque. (Floradora was a favorite!) By the time of the 1998 ARS National Convention in Albuquerque, my partner, Bill Christensen, and I were growing over 1200 varieties on an acre of irrigated land surrounding an old adobe house in Albuquerque's North Valley. With semi-retirement came a move to Palm Springs, CA where I am growing 150 roses in pots and a raised rose garden and where, for the first time, hybrid teas flourish, especially if they are grown on fortuniana rootstock. (The Albuquerque winters are a little harsh for some varieties.) I have also developed a garden in the Morongo Valley, 3000 feet in elevation, where I have an additional 350 varieties, including the most desirable from the Albuquerque garden. These were dug up and moved in pots, having been cleared by the USDA inspector, to CA, where they were replanted and now flourish. Some of these roses had been grown for more than 25 years. I joined the Albuquerque Rose Society and the ARS in 1984, became a horticultural judge in 1989 and an arrangement judge in 1991. I am now a National Garden Club Master Judge, having been involved in their judging program since 1988.

George Jennings

George and Mary grow more than 800 rose bushes in their garden. They include Hybrid Teas, Grandifloras, Floribundas, Climbers, Shrubs, Miniatures and a few Old Garden roses. They judge about five rose shows a year including new introductions at Rose Hills International test garden in the Los Angles area. They have judged 6 or 7 District and National rose shows and International rose shows in England, Glasgow, New Zealand, Japan and Canada.

Mary Jennings

George and Mary grow more than 800 rose bushes in their garden. They include Hybrid Teas, Grandifloras, Floribundas, Climbers, Shrubs, Miniatures and a few Old Garden roses. They judge about five rose shows a year including new introductions at Rose Hills International test garden in the Los Angles area. They have judged 6 or 7 District and National rose shows and International rose shows in England, Glasgow, New Zealand, Japan and Canada.

Bud Jones

My wife and I grow them all, Hybrid Tea, Floribunda, Mini, Shrub, Climber and OGRs, with Shrubs, Climbers and OGR’s our favorites. We started growing roses in the early 80s and have been exhibitors for about 15 years, winning many ribbons and trophies. I have been an American Rose Society horticulture judge for 10 years, judging many local, district and national shows. I also served as District Chairman of Judges for the Pacific Southwest District of the American Rose Society for a 3 year period. This is not our first World Rose Convention having attended Rose World 1994 in Christchurch, New Zealand, a real treat in our many rose experiences.

Steve Jones

Steve Jones is the current President of the American Rose Society. Currently he and his wife Susie grow over 400 varieties of roses from all classes. Steve is also an active hybridizer and creates many of his own roses, with the minute single ‘Dorothy Rose’ being the best known. Steve is well known for his knowledge of old garden roses, shrubs, and polyanthas, but he grows and loves them all, antique and modern. Steve is an ARS accredited horticulture and arrangement judge in addition to being an active arranger and exhibitor. Steve will be in charge of the judging for the ARS district and national trophies.

Linda Kimmel

I love roses of all kinds, but I am especially smitten with the shrubs and old garden roses. I support my habit of rose growing by working as a Nurse Practitioner at the Veteran’s Administration Medical Center, Cardiology-Heart Failure. I have been an ARS member sinc 1992 and have been very involved in the Society since then, assuming various committee positions and have been recognized on several occassions with medals and awards. I have been a consulting rosarian since 2005, attaining Master Rosarian status in 2007. I became a rose judge in 1997 and received the outstanding district judge award in 2007. I will be assuming the ARS IL-IN District Director position starting in 2010.

Carol Macon

Carol Macon is the ARS Regional Director for Region 8 and is also a member of the ARS Finance, Patrons and Ethics Committees. She is the Arrangement Judges Chairman for the Rocky Mountain District of the ARS, a member of both the Pikes Peak and Denver Rose Societies, an on-line ARS Consulting Rosarian for the Rockies since the ARS on-line program began, a teacher at Rocky Mountain District CR schools and arrangement seminars, and both a horticulture and arrangement judge. With husband Jerry, she tends a garden of nearly 600 rose bushes, over a mile high on the side of Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and exhibits frequently. Carols favorite rose is Canadian—Morden Blush.

Jerry Macon

Jerry Macon is an ARS horticulture judge whose interest in roses began when he married a self-described rose nut. With wife Carol, he tends a rose garden of nearly 600 bushes over a mile high on a mountainside in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Jerry’s favorite roses are “anything fragrant.” He enjoys visiting rose gardens on his travels with Carol, and has been exhibiting in horticulture classes for 10 years. He is a member of both the Pikes Peak and Denver Rose Societies.

Kitsy Mostellar

There have always been roses. My mother had roses. My late husband said, “We are going to have roses.” And we did. My interest has included all types of roses with special emphasis on the OGRs. Over the years, minis, shrubs and floribundas have shared equal billing. Certain hybrid teas will always be a part of my garden. Membership in the Rose Society (local, district and national) has provided many friends, travel and education in judging, teaching, and convention organization. I have served as Director of the Deep South District. Currently, I am Director of Region 3 for the American Rose Society (Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, and Tennessee).

Betty Mott

I have been an active member of the Marin Rose Society since 1990, and am a Consulting Rosarian writing articles on monthly rose care. I also serve as Program and Speaker Chair for the Northern California Nevada Hawaii District of the American Rose Society. Marin Rose Society established the first public rose garden in Marin County. The rose garden is in a certified National Wildlife Habitat Sanctuary pesticide free zone with restricted water use making it a model for earth friendly rose gardening. I am one of the Volunteer coordinators. I began exhibiting my roses under the watchful eye of Joseph Klima, President Emeritus of the American Rose Society. I have judged at ARS National Shows and Annual Shows within the NCNH District and Rocky Mountain District. I enjoy growing 137 roses mixed within my landscape under redwood trees and the cool Bay Area fog. Judging to me has been an opportunity to travel to see the most beautiful roses grown in the backyards of the most wonderful people in the world. As a retired science teacher I enjoy observing roses grown under different conditions and challenges, and sharing that knowledge with rose lovers.

Bobbie Reed

I've been growing roses for about 20 years, first in Michigan on our balcony, now in Georgia, but still mostly in pots. My primary interest is in OGRs and shrubs, but we also have many miniatures and minifloras in our sun-challenged garden. I'm active in three local rose societies, and have served in various offices, including President of Greater Gwinnett and Greater Atlanta rose societies. I'm presently the newsletter editor for The Phoenix for Greater Atlanta, which won the silver medal in the most recent ARS newsletter competition. I am a Consulting Rosarian and now a Master Rosarian. I'm accredited as both horticulture and arrangements judges for the ARS, and have judged at several national and district shows since 2004. I am chairing the 2010 Fall Convention for ARS, to be held October 7-11, 2010, in Atlanta, GA.

Linda Reed

I have had a rose garden at all the homes that I have resided in. I began to show interest in roses when we lived in CA. I have grown roses in New York, New Jersey, Ohio and Georgia. I joined my first rose society in New Jersey and started exhibiting in the 1970s. I became a consulting rosarian in Ohio and received my first Bronze medal. I have exhibited at the local, district and national level of ARS shows. I received my second bronze medal in Georgia and also became a master rosarian and horticultural judge. I have judged at the local, district, national and international level. I have grown all varieties of roses an currently grown over 200 roses.

Walter Reed

I have grown roses at our homes for the past 45 years. I am currently a member of ARS and two local societies. I became a master rosarian and horticultural judge after retiring to Peachtree City, Georgia. I have also received the bronze medal. I have been exhibiting over 20 years. I presently have over 200 roses of all varieties in my garden. I am the Deep South District Roses in Review coordinator for the ARS. I have presented programs for the district rosarian schools. I have judged at the local, district, national and international levels.

Sheldon Rein

I have been growing roses since 1974, and I have been an accredited American Rose Society (ARS) Judge since 1979. I grow approximately 100 rose bushes, primarily hybrid teas (81), but also floribundas (8), grandifloras (3), and miniatures (8). I have participated as a judge in national ARS rose shows in Seattle, San Jose, Nashville, San Diego, and Indianapolis.

Pam Russell

Pam: In 1983 I joined the Greater Atlanta Rose Society, soon after attending my first rose show. My love has always been miniature roses, but I have grown all types. In addition to local, district and national Horticulture & Arrangement judging, I have had the pleasure of judging internationally in Scotland, Japan and Australia. In 2000, I co-chaired the ARS National convention in Atlanta, Georgia and previously served as Secretary of the Deep South District.

Rob Russell

My mother’s “green thumb” taught me most things about a garden. However, in 1992 I joined the Central Florida Rose Society & ARS because I could not grow roses. Today and over the years my wife Pam and I have enjoyed the friendship of Rosarians of all walks of life. We currently live in Atlanta, Ga. and Blowing Rock, NC. We grow some of everything but mostly old gardens. In addition to local and national horticulture & arrangement judging, we have had the pleasure of judging internationally in Europe, Japan and Australia. I am currently serving on the ARS National Arrangement and Patrons committees.

Betsy Walters

I live in the City and County of Honolulu. I became a Rose Judge while living in Albuquerque, New Mexico in 1990, and a Consulting Rosarian in 1992. I am presently the only Rose Judge in Hawaii, as well as CR Coordinator. I have judged in several National and District shows. I have judged International Rose Trials in Glasgow, Scotland since 1999, as well as Rose Shows at Hampton Court, England, Auckland, NZ, Osaka, Japan, and Adelaide, Australia. I am a Master Rosarian since 2005. I raise Hybrid Teas, Florabundas, Minis, Shrubs, and OGRs in my wee Hawaii yard! Raising and judging roses is my passion and avocation.

Uruguay

Mercedes Villar

Mercedes is the Founding Member, Honorary Secretary and President of the Uruguayan Rose Society. She convened the 1998 and 2005 South American Rose Regionals. She is also the WFRS Vice-President for South America and Chairman, Awards Committee. Mercedes has attended all of the World Conventions since Sydney, Australia in 1998. She has substantial judging experience and has been a Member of several International Juries at New Rose Trials. Her interests in roses are mainly in Climbers, Ramblers, HTs, Noisettes, Polyanthas, Floribundas, and Glandifloras.

C.R.S. Judges from across Canada

Tatiana Kochanska

I started growing roses and lot of other things in the late seventies when we moved to our house in Brossard, Quebec. I am a founding member of the Société Des Roses Du Québec since 1990, a member of the Board and Show Community, a member of the Canadian Rose Society, and an accredited Judge (since 1996). It is a challenge to grow roses in Quebec and requires a certain dedication, with all this cold and snow and no sign of any green for six months. I have a typical small suburban garden with around 200+ types of roses as well as other shrubs, perennials and NO lawn. Every year I promise to cut back a little, to just sit there and enjoy, but it hasn't happened yet. My garden is a perpetual "work in progess". The other passion of mine is floral art. I used to paint, now I paint with flowers. I am looking forword to the Vancouver show. It will be my first judging experience outside of Quebec.

Claire Laberge

Claire Laberge has been in charge the Rose Garden at the Montreal Botanical Garden for the last 20 years where she has tended over 10,000 roses representing over 1,000 different types. She collaborated as Advisor to the Canadian Heritage Garden at the Governor General’s estate, inaugurated in June 2000. Claire has been a Canadian Rose Society accredited judge since 1994 and has judged rose shows in Canada and abroad. She serve as Director on the Boards of the Canadian Rose Society and La Société des roses du Québec. She has written “Le guide de la roseraie” (Trécarré, 1995) and has been involved in the writing of various articles for gardening magazines.

Shari-Lyn Safir

Shari-Lyn is proud to serve as national President of the Canadian Rose Society as well as President of her local chapter The Greater Toronto Rose and Garden Society. Her passion for roses has led her to become a rose judge and consulting rosarian as well as her overall love of gardening a Master Gardener. She adores Old Garden and David Austen roses.

Doreen Stanton

Linda Trim

My lifelong affair with the rose started early in my childhood. I have some very fond memories of a very beautiful pink rose which covered my aunt's veranda and front porch. I've been very passionate about growing roses since I joined the Calgary Rose Society 20 years ago. In my small garden, I grow a variety of roses which include some old garden roses, shrub roses, climbing roses, miniatures, hybrid teas and floribundas. Over the last three years I have completely converted to growing roses using organic practices and fertilizers. I've been a board member of the Calgary Rose Society for the past 12 years and am also a member of the American and Canadian Rose Societies and the National Rose Canada. I started exhibiting roses 15 years ago and in 2004 qualified as a Canadian Rose Society Certified judge. I've judged the Calgary Rose Show each year since then and in 2008 helped judge the first Saskatchewan/Alberta Interprovincial Rose Show. I try to broaden my knowledge by attending as many rose shows and meeting as many other rose enthusiasts as I can. I was fortunate to be able to attend the WFRC of 2000 in Houston, and the ARS National Show of 2002 in San Jose.

Philip Webster

C.R.S. Judges residing in B.C.

Jacqueline Bradbury

Alister Brown

Alister Browne has about 100 roses, and has won the Vancouver Rose Society Rose of the Show 3 times in a row, the Fraser Pacific Rose of the Show in 2008, and the Vancouver Rose Society photography competition 4 times. He will divulge all his secrets about growing and exhibiting roses, particularly on how those with small gardens can compete with those with large ones.

George Dugaro

I have been interested in growing and exhibiting roses for over 20 years. I gained most of my experience after joining the Vancouver Rose Society and was a director on the Executive Committee for over 10 years and am now an accredited CRS judge. This will be my first World Rose show and I am looking forward to judging.

June Dugaro

I have been growing, exhibiting and judging roses for many years and was the past Chief Judge for the VRS. Last year I became an accredited CRS judge after taking a course taught by Patrick White. I have a small garden with many perennials and grow all types of roses. In the past hybrid teas were my favourite but I am now becoming particularly fond of the Austins and OGRs. It will be a great experience judging at the 2009 World Rose Convention.

Pat Field

Lesley Finlay

I joined the Rose Society in 1991 because I wanted to grow roses like my parents did in New Zealand. My first attempts before joining the V.R.S. did not produce the quality of roses I was hoping for. That was because I didn't realize roses needed 6 hours of sun, food, water and T.L.C.!! Today I grow over 400 roses of all varieties on one acre and am pleased to say that my green thumb has drastically improved. I joined the V.R.S. Executive committee and after a stint as the speaker co-ordinator for meetings and the membership chair, I became the Rose Show chair - a position I have held for a number of years and enjoy immensely. I found exhibiting my roses in the local Rose Show to be not only a fulfilling experience but a successful one as well! I look forward to meeting fellow rose growers from all over the world (and competing against them!) at the World Federation Rose Show.

Alec Globe

Alec Globe is a Canadian Rose Society accredited judge. His garden in White Rock, near Vancouver, grows over 300 roses of all types, ranging from species and old garden roses to a selection of all modern types.  For the past two decades he has enjoyed visiting rose (and rhododendron) gardens around the world--often left wondering how to import sumptuous OGRs he sees along the way.  He is currently engaged in research for a book on the cultural and botanical history of roses in Canada.

Jean Hay

I have grown and shown all types of roses for about 30 years and won many awards including a medal from the British Royal National Rose Society for a Best in Show. I have helped judge the V.R.S. Shows and many rose shows up and down Vancouver Island. Presently I give public lectures for the Vancouver Island University and for the Milner Gardens on year round rose cultivation and hands on pruning demonstrations to horticultural students. I am a Rose Judge, Rose Consultant, and Regional Director for the C.R.S. and also Rose Consultant to the Milner Gardens.

Peter Lekkas

Terry Martinich

My interest in roses was given a huge boost over 30 years ago while I was taking graduate studies at the University of British Columbia. At that time I rented part of a house near the university. Lucky for me my landlord was a gentleman who was an expert and knowledgeable gardener. He loved roses and really knew how to grow them well, having gained this experience from his native Ireland (he knew Sean McCann and Sam McGredy). On the small city lot, he grew over 300 roses of all types and this was a fascination for me. At that time I joined the Vancouver Rose Society. In 1996 I completed an intensive short course on judging, arranged by the Canadian Rose Society, and became an accredited judge. I am now the Chief Judge for the V.R.S. My rose garden started with about a half dozen roses thirty years ago and now the number has stabilized at about one hundred, mainly HTs, floribundas, and a few shrubs and climbers. I also grow dahlias, chrysanthemums and a few begonias. My biggest challenge is coping with rose replant disease.

William McCarthy

William McCarthy is a real estate developer and consultant and avid gardener. He is a Certified Master Gardener and Landscape Technician, and holds a Certificate in Garden Design from the University of British Columbia. He is also a consulting rosarian and has been a Certified Rose Judge for the past two years, having completed the prescribed program of exams and practicums. william is also an apiarist whose honeybee hives are maintained at his Shiloh Hill Estate, 100 kilometers east of Vancouver. Shiloh Hill will be a pre-convention tour site for this Rose Convention and where guests can see over 1,400 roses (and over 900 species) planted in various themed gardens and settings.

Linda McFarlane

Barbara Munton

Climbing Shot Silk, the ‘must have’ rose of the 1940s framed the entrance to my Grandparent’s garden and triggered my love of roses. My garden has wide variety: Modern shrubs, David Austins, floribundas, a few hybrid teas, and every year more miniatures. For the past dozen years, as a member of the Vancouver Island Horticultural Judging Group, I have judged general shows as well as specialized shows held on Vancouver Island and throughout the Gulf Islands. I hold judging certification in horticulture from Okanogan Gardens & Roses of Vernon B.C., the B.C. Council of Garden Clubs and Accreditation from the Canadian Rose Society.

Monica Semsch

I grew up in Germany and always admired roses in the parks. We came to Canada in 1964 and settled in Calgay. After we bought our first house, I started a rose garden. I was not successful with it. So I gave up growing roses. Of course, it did not help not knowing how to grow roses. Also the "Explorer" roses were not yet on the market. In March 1984, we moved to the coast - Twawwassen - and in June, i went to my first rose show. Again and again I walked along the aisles. I was totally smitten by the variety and beauty of the roses. Now, 25 years later, I grow about 100 roses of all varieties and lots of dahlias. I have about 275 pots of cacti and succulents. According to my husband, 274 too many. I love to exhibit and judge roses. It is the thrilling highlight of the summer.

Sanda Simic

Sanda has been interested in roses since her childhood in Myanmar. When she came to Canada in 2001, she and her husband moved into a house that had no garden. This gave Sanda the opportunity to create a beautiful garden with perennials and more than 150 roses, mostly Hybrid Tea and Floribunda, with some English roses. She is most interested in fragrant roses. Soon after her arrival she became a member of VRS, CRS, and ARS. She is very active in VRS and has won a number of rose contests. In 2007, she became an accredited CRS judge after taking a course taught by Patrick White and Terry Martinich. Since then, she has been improving her judging experience in anticipation of the World Rose Festival 2009.

Sandy Tordiffe

I have been growing roses almost 25 years, and have spent hours creating and planning my gardens. The scale of my gardens has run from very large to the current balcony. After serving on the executive of VRS, I then embarked on becoming a judge. I have never lost my passion and love for roses, and love to encourage any gardener to take the step and fill their gardens with roses.

Brenda Viney

Brenda Viney has been an active member of the Vancouver Rose Society since 1989. In 1990, she joined the Board of Directors as Secretary and subsequently became President for 1999 and 2000. Today, she is the Membership Chair and writes a monthly “To Do” column in the Society’s newsletter. Over the years she has participated in yearly pruning demonstrations, run five consecutive Rose Shows as the Chair, including the Canadian National Show, opened her garden to member visits every year, become a major exhibitor in the VRS yearly rose show, and volunteered in most activities in which the Society has engaged.

Alex Waterhouse-Hayward

I fell in love with roses when I went to visit Janet Wood in her Southlands rose garden. I saw a single yellow rose. Its young stems were a deep maroon. I told Janet, “I am going to go home now to prepare myself a strong pot of Earl Grey tea. I am going to toast two slices of bread; I will then butter them and slather them with apricot jam.” The rose that induced me to all that was Rosa ‘Mrs. Oakley Fisher’. I am a freelance photographer and writer. I love old roses and English Roses. I don’t like orange ones. But I admit to having both All That Jazz and Westerland and I would not part with them.

Patrick White

Patrick is a retired family physician, now working in peer review/quality assurance for the B.C. College of Physicians and Surgeons. He is also an accredited horticultural judge, consultant rosarian, and is Vice-President of the CRS. He enjoys presenting both at home and abroad on the subject of roses. One significant task has been introducing the first Canadian EarthKind project (Victoria). Patrick enjoys a seaside garden (Victoria - zone 8 b (cool Mediterranean), landscaped with all types of roses, sustained organically) with physician wife Diana, and dogs Obi and Dawson.

Jennifer Zuk

I qualified as a rose judge a few years ago at the last CRS judging school held in Vancouver. I am also a senior judge in the American Dahlia Society as well as a horticultural and floral design judge for B.C. In 2007, I became a Master Gardener through VanDusen Garden.

Floral Art Judges

Shirley Cooke

Shirley enjoys participating in floral shows as a competitor and a judge. She holds judging certificates in both horticulture and floral design. With considerable experience as a show chair for various flower shows, she is an active member of the Victoria Flower Arrangers Guild, Vancouver Island Heather Society and Victoria Lily Society. A long time rose enthusiast, Shirley grows a large selection of roses, particularly preserving old garden varieties.

Bernice Cherney

Bernice is a National Garden Club Judge and an accredited Floral Design Judge, and has judged for national and international flower shows. She is a member of the International Design Symposium, the Victoria Flower Arrangers Guild, the View Royal Garden Club, the Society of Horticultural and Floral Design Judges of BC, the BC Floral Arts Society, the BC Council of Garden Clubs, and the Garden. In the past, she was Treasurer of the Garden Club of St. Petersburg and Director of the Floral Design Committee for the Garden Club of Toronto. She has taught courses and demonstrated on floral design in Canada, the US and Bermuda, where she also won top prizes in its shows and other international shows.

Margaret Nakahara

Margaret has managed and owned florist shops for over 20 years. She received her Senior Floral Art Show Judge Certificate in 1989 and since then has judged for many shows including the Washington State Flower and Garden Show. Margaret is a florist trainer and educator, and is a speaker on floral design topics and Chairperson for the Judging Committee for the BC Council of Garden Clubs. She is also founding member of the Capilano Flower Arranging Society and past President of the BC Council of Garden Clubs, the Society of Horticultural and Floral Design Judges of BC, and BC Floral Art Society.

Dorothy Scott

Dorothy joined the Floral Design Club at the RAF Base in Wiltshire, England many years ago. She received her Senior Floral Art Show Judge Certificate in 1989 and has volunteered on VanDusen Botanical Garden's Floral Design Team since then. She is currently a show designer and speaker at garden clubs and floral art clubs.

World Federation
of Rose Societies

The Canadian
Rose Society

The Vancouver
Rose Society

American
Rose Society