Hoping for a rosy spring? The Tri-State Rose Society’s self-guided Tour of Roses next weekend might fit the bill.
Highlights of the tour include a castle garden surrounded by European-style formal gardens and a peek at the new climbing Knock Out roses available only in catalogs.
The 11-garden tour benefits CONTACT, a 24-hour crisis helpline.
“We hope folks will buy tickets to support CONTACT and come out and enjoy some pretty roses,” said tour co-organizer Jeff Garrett.
Gardens were selected so visitors can visit two or three in one part of town. Ambitious tourgoers may visit all 11.
All gardeners are members of the the Tri-State Rose Society. The society has about 150 members and stretches from Athens, Tenn., to Northeast Alabama.
Reflecting popular interest, several gardens will feature the new low-maintenance Knock Out roses, Mr. Garrett said.
Leon and Rita Phillips’ Soddy-Daisy garden, for example, displays about 100 Knock Outs along a drive, he said.
Garden hosts are either consulting rosarians or are assisted by a consulting rosarian from the society. All hosts and rosarians will be happy to answer questions, Mr. Garrett said.
This spring’s cool weather and regular rainfall delayed rose bloom. But rosarians foresee a strong or even peak moment on tour weekend.
“I think we’re going to have a pretty bloom cycle,” Mr. Garrett said.
STOPS ON THE TRI-STATE ROSE SOCIETY AND CORNERSTONE BANK TOUR OF ROSES
1 Owners: Rita and Leon Phillips,1009 Sequoyah Access Road, Soddy-Daisy Highlights: Winding paths, beautiful sculptures. Wide variety of hybrid teas, floribundas, shrubs, climbers and Knock Out roses, with perennials.
2 Owners: Jeff and Cindy Garrett, 2049 Linwood Circle, Soddy-Daisy Highlights: An amazing variety of roses, with perennials, ornamental trees and koi pond.
3 Owners: Dr. Charles and Phyllis Belcher, 4916 Meadow Trace Lane, Hixson Highlights: Wide variety of colors and categories of roses, with perennials.
4 Owners: Ted and Mary Alice Mills,1001 River Hills Drive Highlights: A must-see by two consulting rosarians. Mr. Mills is a regular columnist for American Rose magazine and developed nationally sold Mills Magic Rose Mix and Mills Easy Feed.
5 Owners: Ted and Norma Lavender, 7208 River Run Drive Highlights: A garden worth exploring with roses, annuals and perennials, including giant hostas. A pergola, built by tour sponsor Dreamscapes, adds architectural interest. Bird baths, benches and small sculptures accentuate the space.
6 Owners: Helene and Cort Dondero, 7428 River Ridge Road Highlights: A castle on a cliff overlooking the water flanked by European-style formal gardens.
7 Owner: Susan Ruxton, 10077 Baker Boy Drive, Ooltewah Highlights: A skillful mix of rose bushes, perennials, sculptures, bird bath collection with water feature.
8 Owner: Jeanne O’Steen and Roger Bryan, 8244 Mill Race Drive, Ooltewah Highlights: Interesting mix of floribundas, hybrid teas, climbers, shrubs and miniatures. A gazebo adds Old World charm.
9 Owner: Bud & Sonia Wisseman, 2110 Haven Crest Drive Highlight: Vibrant color stretches around lovely home.
10 Owner: Brent & Denise Jennings,140 Coffman Drive, Fort Oglethorpe Highlight: A traffic stopper created by last year’s rose show winners.
11 Owner: John and Dianne Skinner, 4121 Bennett Road, East Ridge Highlight: A tour favorite, with roses of outstanding size and beauty.
