Welcome to the Redwood Empire Rose Society Web Page.
We are a chapter of the American Rose Society in Santa Rosa, California . We meet on the 3rd Thursday of each month at the Luther Burbank Arts & Garden Center at 2050 Yulupa Ave, Santa Rosa CA at 7.00 pm.
Our membership form is attached below in the download section.
President - Ruth Browning
Vice President - Gail Lee
Co-Secretary - Julie Maskey Sabbag & Sheila Sabbag
Treasurer - Cheryl Frechette
Consulting Rosarians
Our consulting rosarians would be more than happy to help you with rose care questions.
Barbara Ellis 707-486-3119
Cheryl Frechette 707-395-0654
Jack Coulter 707-545-2872
Karen Ernsberger 707-344-2011
Mary Brown 707-823-1179
Phyllis Saccani - 707-542-7661
Organized 1965
Written by Barbara Ellis
In the early 1960’s Commander Harry E. Stebbings, fresh from sea duty, encountered his first rose bush. Actually, there were 21 bushes and they came with a house he purchased in San Mateo, California. Not having the opportunity to grow roses at sea, he sought the expertise of the San Mateo County Rose Society to educate himself on the care and feeding of roses. After two of the members visited his home and identified the varieties as well as provided advice on nurturing them, he became an active member in the society and an ARS horticulture judge. When he completed his tour of duty at Treasure Island, Captain Stebbings moved to Santa Rosa.
His new home did not come with roses but he was quick to remedy that. Santa Rosa did not have a rose society but with the collaboration of Dr. Dennison Morey, he also remedied that. The first meeting of the Redwood Empire Rose Society was on September 23, 1965 at Harry Stebbings’ home. An ARS officer from San Diego attended. As of March 2004, Dr. Morey is the only surviving member who attended that original meeting. Since that inaugural meeting, RERS has met on the third Thursday of the month. Starting in January of 1966 the meetings have been held at the Luther Burbank Art and Garden Center.
The RERS has been very active in the Santa Rosa community. Each year the Spring Rose Show is attended by many non-members.Until 2003, the RERS has entered in the House of Flowers Garden Contest at the Sonoma County Fair. We are planning to reestablish this activity as our membership numbers are improved.
Twenty six rosarians have served as President of RERS. Many are distinguished contributors to ARS and the Sonoma County community. Our first President was Capt. Harry Stebbings.
| 1993 | Rachel Wall |
| 1994 | Margaret Martin* |
| 1995 | Sally Joy |
| 1996 | Capt. Harry Stebbings* |
| 1997 | Virginia and Eugene Howard |
| 1998 | Inez Smith |
| 1999 | Eleanor Kelling* |
| 2000 | James C. King |
| 2002 | Dr. Tom Villa-Lovoz |
| 2005 | Phyllis Saccani |
| 2006 | Barbara Ellis |
| 2008 |
Ann Barbaro
|