The Great Garden Renovation2017-2022

ARS Center & Gardens, Shreveport, LABy Cindy Dale, M.R.

All photos by Cindy Dale except as

noted

American Rose Center & Gardens, 2010

Why is this project needed?Original gardens of The American Rose Center were created in 1972. It is the nation’s largest park dedicated to roses. BUT in 2016 it was realized that the gardens had deteriorated badly. Reasons for the decline involve the following:

►Too many pine trees too much shade & root competition

►Too many deer►Soil depletion►Not enough staff to care for the many, small

gardens scattered all over the property

What is the plan for improvement?● A 5-year Master Plan was created to totally restore the gardens,

consolidate them, and tell our gardens’ 50 year history.

● Jackson & Perkins Roses donated the new landscape design in collaboration with Paul Zimmerman and Peter Beales.

● The gardens have been re-branded as “America’s Rose Garden”.

● The theme of the garden design is “The History of the Rose in America”, telling the stories of great roses and important rosebreeders throughout the years.

● The new design is reminiscent of the gears of a vintageRolex timepiece.

Klima HallWatkins

Reflection Pool

McFarland Plaza, Donor wall

201921st

centuryHTs

2020Older

HTs, GR, FL, POL

2021Shrubs

Children’s Garden

Minis/Mfls

WindsoundsCarrillon, site of Intl Rose Trials

2021-2022OGR, SpeciesBarnwell

Pollinator Garden

HardtnerChapel

Herb Garden

Asian Garden

Former DSD Garden

Knock Out & Earth Kind

Immediate GGR Goals Removal of 140 pine trees - DONE Putting up deer netting - DONE New paved walkways - DONE Soil testing - DONE Naming of new Garden Director, Don Morgan – DONE Shanley-Delvecchio Rose Garden Gate Pavilion

constructed between reflecting pool & gardens – DONE Installation of new irrigation system Consolidating the gardens into one impactful

and singularly beautiful core area Handicap accessible ramp w/landscaping and terrace

off the Klima Center - to be provided by area Lions Club

Long Term Design Plans Four connected garden circles of varying sizes and at

varying ground levels. Beds designed to be 9’ in widthw/space between for easy spraying and other care.

Center of the circles will be grass for gathering places. Circular walks will be hard surfaced for easy walking &

for the handicapped. Retaining walls of stone. First circle has the most striking & colorful modern HT

roses. From there, each circle will take you back intime to discover the rich history of roses, until you getto the area of earliest roses with OGRs & Species.

Circles are designed to be installed all at once if fundsare available or one at a time as donations come in.

Long Term Goals Achieving Botanic Garden status (proper signage &

a registry of all botanical species in the garden). Gaining historic status on the Natl. Registry of Historic

Places. Establishing ARC Intl. Rose Trials beginning this year. A Rose Museum in the Admin. Building will display

artifacts that ARS has collected through the years. Signage for direction, education and recognition

of donors. New and interesting plantings to providebackgrounds for the roses.

In the shady part of the garden will be a ‘Tranquility Garden’, a ‘Poet’s Garden’, and a labyrinth.

Projected Costs NO ARS operating funds are being used for

this project. Each phase will not begin untilthere are enough donations to pay for it.

Project total = $1.4 million

Have already raised $570,000 in cash,services, and pledges

So, we still need to raise $800,000 forthe installation.

Where will the money come from? Grants Small donations from individuals and

organizations Fund-raising drives such as Hug-a-Tree, etc In-kind contributions, industry participation Gifts from ARS local societies and districts Sales of the ‘McFarland’ rose. Meilland is giving

ARS 350 to market, starting in January Naming opportunities Memorials & bequests

‘McFarland’ Rose● Named for ‘The Father of the American Rose Society’,

J. Horace McFarland. Bred by The House of Meilland● Pink HT suffused with shell pink, large bloom with strong

fragrance on tall, vigorous plants, good disease resistance● McFarland Plaza (1st garden on the tour) to be filled with

them● One free ‘McFarland’ rose for each donation of $500. To be

delivered to you bare-root in Feb-Mar or appropriate timefor the donor’s area.

Photos courtesy of ARS

Opportunities for you to help(see Cindy Dale for more info. or for donation forms)

Donor Bricks: names & message on 8x8 terra cottasquare to be located in the garden - $200

Hug-a-Tree: labels at tree base will have donor’s nameinscribed - $500

The First Circle: donations of $500+ will be recognized on GGR Donor Wall. One Meilland ‘McFarland’ HT willbe given to you for each $500 donated. $500-$9,999

Naming opportunities: having your name on variousgarden elements such as whole garden circles or bedswithin circles, plazas, paths, etc. $10,000+. Your namewill be inscribed on the 50th Anniversary Donor Wall.

Donations of any amount are welcome and will be recognized in American Rose Magazine

What’s Next? To get our name back on the former DSD Garden, DSD

& its members need to contribute $10,000 over the5-year renovation. Last year we contributed $2500.

Thank you to the following who contributed in 2018: Huntsville Twickenham RS, Bradenton Sarasota RS, Wanda Ann Britt, Birmingham RS, Wiregrass RS, Charles Mahan, Alice Finlon, Thomasville RS, Anne Finlon, Ralph Stream, Boca Grande Garden Club, Central FL RS, Marion Co RS, South Metro RS, Gr. Palm Beach RS, Gr. Atlanta RS, Gail Pisz, Pensacola RS, Mary Sellers, Bobbie Reed, Jacksonville RS, Jacksonville RS, Gainesville RS, Gr. Gwinnett RS, Golden Isles RS, and Pensacola RS.

DSD members are asked to search out corporatesponsors and benefactors that can help with this project.

DSD Presidents or their reps are asked to make a GGRpresentation at one of their society meetings this yearto familiarize members with the project & donor opportunities. Let Cindy know when this is done.

Contributions►ALL individual or society contributions

should be given to or sent to our DSDTreasurer, Kay Harrell, at 121 ShoreRush Circle, St. Simons Island, GA31522.

►Make check out to “ARS” and put the following on the memo line - “GardenRenovation, DSD”- so DSD gets credit.

Questions?

• Cindy Dale, District Director, M.R.• Call or e-mail me if I can help you• Phone: 770-631-3885• E-mail: rosepro@bellsouth.net