About Potomac Rose Society

PRS values beauty, education, advocacy, earth-friendly garden practices, inclusion, diversity, community, and fun.
PRS is a leader in sustainable rose culture. PRS members contribute to a world where roses are grown in harmony with nature in gardens everywhere.
PRS is a diverse and welcoming society that creates opportunities to celebrate and advocate for earth friendly roses and gardens.
We help our community to grow beautiful roses and more sustainable gardens by providing the latest research, experience and expertise on the plants and garden practices that make that possible.

History & Philosophy

Laguna® Large Flowered Climber by Lisa Mundy

The Potomac Rose Society (PRS) serves rose enthusiasts in Washington, DC; suburban Maryland; and Northern Virginia. We are a member organization of the American Rose Society. From its beginnings in 1931, PRS has sponsored or hosted informative programs and initiatives for rose lovers:

Lectures and demonstrations
Access to advice from local rose experts
Bimonthly newsletter (co-published with Arlington Rose Foundation)
Tours of regional rose gardens
Rose exhibitions

Our members are rose lovers from varied backgrounds and interests. Many members and prospective members tell us they want beautiful, fragrant, environmentally sustainable, low maintenance roses!

We have responded to these requests by diversifying our programming to include more information on growing modern as well as old garden roses in the mid-Atlantic region without the use of synthetic chemicals. We sponsored four highly successful symposia on disease-resistant roses and hosted nationally-recognized speakers Peter Kukielski, Gaye Hammond, and American Rose Society President, Pat Shanley.

The Potomac Rose Society is fortunate to have a number of active and enthusiastic members who are committed to growing roses exclusively in no-spray gardens. They regularly share their experiences and insights with us. We also recognize that some rosarians will choose to use synthetic chemicals to achieve the desired level of disease and pest control.

To sum up our philosophy in a few words:

You can grow beautiful roses

It doesn’t have to be hard

You don't have to spray

There are many choices

We can help

Officers and Directors

For any inquiries about the organization, please contact the Potomac Rose Society officers and directors:

Contact Board of Directors

Top photo of Gold Medal by Rich Baer