Author Discusses Competitive Rose Gardening

KPBS | By KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published May 29, 2007 at 9:43 AM PDT

The men and women who grow roses for competition are passionate, and some would say obsessed. As a result, the competitions can be tense and full of intrigue. We speak with a master gardener about her

Alison St John (Guest Host): San Diego is one of the best places in the world to grow roses. Do you have a rose, or two, or maybe several hundred in your garden? I have three in my garden and more than any other plant, they feel like a pet to me. Why do we dote on roses, and why do some people go to such great lengths to grow the best rose, the queen of the show? Believe it or not, there are people who are willing to drive 27 hours to get their roses to a rose show in perfect condition.

Guest:

Aurelia C. Scott, a master gardener for 20 years. She is the author of Otherwise Normal People: Inside the Thorny World of Competitive Rose Gardening.