Yes, the Celebration was wonderful! I got some ideas for three old mystery roses from my garden that I have been trying to identify.

I was very impressed with the roses Vintage Gardens brought to sell - they were all blooming in their little band pots! Must have made it easier for folks to decide what to get - when I left at 12:30 the Vintage tables looked like swarming hordes had been there - not many roses left from the hundreds that had been there at the beginning.

I wanted to thank everyone who brought roses to the Celebration - it was so helpful to see all of the different classes together. Now THAT is what I call a 'rose show"!

Jackie

Despite noticing that the Celebration was a bit smaller than in past years -- perhaps some vendors could not make the trip in rough times -- it was excellent. The highlight for me is divided between seeing hundreds of different roses of all classes brought together, and in seeing many of my rose friends, always a true delight. The display of roses in vases, jars, whatever, is just fascinating. I must have spent three trips circling it. As for the friends, quite a collection of forum members were present.

Also impressive was an enormous arrangement in honor of Heritage Roses Group founder Miriam Wilkins. I have never seen a more beautiful or impressive rose arrangement. It managed to be large without being chaotic, something of a feat, I do believe. I could not do it. Whoever made it has a real skill.

Rosefolly

I went yesterday too and it was fabulous to see the roses, as you said, grouped in classes on the tables. It gives you a good idea of what a "class" looks like. For instance, you could really see how the teas had much subtler colors than the HP's right next to them.

I too fell in love with a few roses at first sight: Alfred Colombe, Baronne Henriette de Snoy, Chevy Chase, and like you, Landperson, Lupe's Buttons.

I ended up buying two roses: Aglaia from Vintage and Tuscany Superb from the Heritage Roses Group.

I also won a rose in the raffle: an HT from 1930 called Heinrich Wendland.

The nice ladies running the event treated my little girls who were in tow with me like VIPs, letting them have a raffle ticket each for just coming to the event. They honored them by letting them judge the bouquets and also giving them a bouquet to bring home. My youngest won a raffle item (a little framed print) and was very excited.

It was well worth the 200 mile drive to come to the event. Thanks to everyone who put it on.

Annabeth

Oh, were those your daughters? I heard the speaker interviewing them, and thought that two little girls were having an unexpectedly wonderful time!

Does anyone ever hear from that Grande Dame Cindi from Texas? The last time I saw her was at El Cerrito in 2005, shortly before her rose gardens were largely destroyed by a storm. That was a really fun crowd that year and I'm glad all of you had a good celebration this past weekend.

I have not heard from our Cindi in quite some time. It's too bad; she was widely loved on this and the Rose Forum both. She took a hard blow from the hurricane, which wiped out her garden and devastated her home. I believe she also lost her mother not long after that. I simply loved those long, exuberant and rambling posts she used to write. No one else could pull you in to an impossible (but true!) story like Cindi.

It would bring me great pleasure to know that she was doing well, and even more happiness to know she was back on the forums again. I hope someone will speak up and let us know that they have heard from her.

Rosefolly

We are finally home from El Cerrito, having made a detour to collect some roses in two old, previously-visted cemeteries.

Extraordinary weather!
TERRIFIC day!
GREAT display of wonderful roses!
Wonderful day meeting people who love roses!

Oh, I am tired, and very glad to be home at last, but it was a great weekend!
I should note that we started with a Saturday visit to the San Jose Heritage Rose Garden, which was in remarkably good bloom, and which contributed to the show at the Celebration. If I saw you, it was wonderful, If I didn't, I'm sorry I missed you.
Maybe, next visit . . .

Jeri

I thought about ya'll. I'm so glad it turned out well and you had such a lovely time. Gean

I just learned of this event when I moved to El Cerrito last year, but wasn't able to attend this year. I was hoping to find out who grows old roses here in El Cerrito and to learn what (if any) roses people have found to be (relatively) less irresistible to our robust urban deer population. Anyone here live in El Cerrito and willing to share some knowledge with me?

Probably not here -- but there IS a local Heritage Roses Affiliate for the Bay Area, and they might be helpful to you.

I'm sorry not to have it handy, and they have not linked to the National Group's website, but if you google Bay Area HEritage Roses Group, you may find it. If you don't, send me a private message. I'll put you in touch with a member.

Jeri
(Down in SoCal)

Paula, that arrangement was done by someone with a lot of skill, Carolyn Parker.
I did manage to get a few minutes to enjoy things when the rose selling slowed down. The tables of blooms were wonderful. I really appreciate everyone's hard work. May the Celebration go on forever.

Thanks jerijen, I found contact info for the Bay Area Heritage Roses Group at http://www.celebrationofoldroses.org .... now just hoping that they can point me towards some roses that the deer won't totally devour!

The photos I took unfortunately don't have any of the fragrance of the actual roses. But the memories of talking with other rose enthusiasts (one person who shall remain anonymous advised me on how to bring plants into the US "informally" in one's carry-on luggage) (another one, a grower, told me how to grow and prune pteracantha) (several others chatted about what kind of rose works where) was the highlight of my trip to California. Thanks to all of you, for those rows of rose!

Carol

"to learn what (if any) roses people have found to be (relatively) less irresistible to our robust urban deer population"

If deer are anything like goats, there is no such thing as a rose they won't eat.

Mc510, I'm sorry to tell you that long term there are no roses that deer will leave alone. They like some roses better than others, but after they finish their favorites they will eat the rest. Repellants may work temporarily, but long term they will fail. The only thing that works reliably is a fence.

If you are not willing or not able to fence your roses, you might be able to grow some tall climbers or ramblers. If you cage the young plants for two or three years while they are within deer browsing height, then take the protection away after they outgrow the danger zone, I think you could have some big roses that would survive the deer. They would still eat the lower foliage, but the higher leaves and roses should be fine.

Rosefolly