Rose enthusiasts of all levels welcome at annual show

SARAH JACKSON, THE OLYMPIAN

Originally published July 7

Olympia Rose Society President Michelle Buenzli went into rose gardening innocently enough.

"I started out with a Queen Elizabeth in a pot on our porch," Buenzli said.

Today, as she prepares to help kick off next weekend's Olympia Rose Society's 47th annual rose show, she's a proud tender of more than 100 rose plants.

Sure, Buenzli said, annuals such as marigolds and petunias are easier, but roses bring a bigger payoff.

"I think it's the reward of something big and dramatic," Buenzli said while visiting the society's Centennial Garden in Tumwater.

"You can make them your life if you want to, but you don't have to."

Hundreds of rose enthusiasts -- who need not be society members -- will gather to exhibit, sniff, buy and talk roses at the show, which draws aficionados from throughout Western Washington.

Gardeners can enter their works of rose art starting at 6 a.m. July 14.

Exhibitor's assistants will be on hand to hand out vases and help growers identify and arrange their flowers.

Show chairwoman Deborah Erickson said gardeners, who can compete in novice categories, should bring roses that have żlong stems, clean leaves, foliage and 1/2- to 3/4-open blooms.

"Every exhibitor will bring in buckets and buckets of roses," Erickson said, adding that extras are usually sold to benefit the rose society. "We can help people identify them."

"Don't be intimidated," Buenzli adds.

Buenzli said many people believe elegant roses -- far easier to grow in the Pacific Northwest than in other parts of the country -- are hard to raise.

"They do take a little attention, and you do have to spray for insects and fungus," Buenzli said. "It's not any more work than having a vegetable garden.

"We're really lucky here in the Northwest. Our roses are so much bigger."

Judging roses is, in a way, a little bit like judging a dog show, Buenzli said.

-ext weekend, each rose will compete to be the best in its division, class and, in some cases, Queen of the Show.

Queen -- a sort of best in show equivalent -- is awarded to the best hybrid tea rose from a cadre of blue-ribbon class winners.

Each specimen must exhibit characteristics to win one of the more than 60 trophies.

"There's a structured criteria," Buenzli said, noting that color, freshness, form and foliage all play a part. "It's the best example of that particular rose at that time."

First Place Queen of the Show is followed by King, Princess, Prince and Duchess of the Show.

But Buenzli said the event is more a celebration of roses than a cut-throat competition.

"The thing I like best about the show is walking up and down the tables, looking at the blooms and saying, 'Wow, I wanna grow that one.' "

Sarah Jackson writes for The Olympian and can be reached at 360-704-6871 or olyjax@yahoo.com.

Rose show

- What: Olympia Rose Society's "2001: A Rose Odyssey" competition and show with consulting rosarians to answer questions.

- When: July 14 and 15. Entries are accepted from 6:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. July 14 with awards beginning at 2:30 p.m. The show ends at 6 p.m. July 15.

- Where: Westfield Shoppingtown Capital mall, 625 Black Lake Blvd.

- Cost: The show and contest entries are free and open to the public.

- More information: Call 360-459-0169.

- Web sites: www.olyrose.org and www.ars.org.

The Olympian Copyright 2001

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