Potomac Rose Society upcoming events

A Glimpse of American Grandeur: The Huntington Rose Garden with Stephen Reid (19 Apr 2026)

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Few gardens in the world command the reverence of The Huntington Rose Garden in San Marino, California. With over 1,200 varieties and 100 years of history, it is a living masterpiece of American horticulture.

On April 19, the Potomac Rose Society invites you to go behind the gates with Stephen Reid, Assistant Curator and Head Gardener of this iconic collection. Stephen doesn't just manage roses; he curates a legacy.

During this exclusive session, Stephen will share:

Curatorial Secrets: What it takes to maintain one of the most expansive and historic rose collections in the United States.
The Sustainable Shift: How Stephen merges traditional herbalism and landscape design with modern, sustainable practices.
The Curator's Eye: Insight on rose selection, aesthetics, and care from one of the most celebrated botanical landmarks in the world.

About the Speaker: Stephen Reid is a California native plant expert, educator, and landscape designer. As the Assistant to the Curator at The Huntington, he sits at the intersection of botanical history and future-forward sustainability. Known for his deep technical knowledge and engaging workshops, Stephen brings a unique "California-cool" perspective to the timeless art of the rose.

This event is FREE and open to the public. Registration will remain open through Saturday April 18.

ARS Consulting Rosarians will earn one credit towards recertification for attending this program. A recording of the Zoom presentation will be posted to the MEMBERS ONLY section of the PRS website.

Photos courtesy of The Huntington

Mother’s Day at Rose Hill: Katy Banks’ 5th Annual Open Garden Event(Rain or Shine) (10 May 2026)

Sun, 10 May 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Join PRS Board Member and Heirloom Roses Ambassador Katy Banks for her Fifth Annual Open Garden at Rose Hill — a milestone year for this beloved Mother’s Day tradition.

Home to more than 500 roses, Rose Hill in peak spring flush is nothing short of extraordinary. Towering climbers, romantic arches, and obelisks wrapped in bloom create layers of color and fragrance at every turn. The spectacular Honeymoon™ rose arch makes a breathtaking entrance, while Lavender Lassie and The Generous Gardener drape the stone façade with cascades of romantic bloom. Throughout the garden, thoughtfully placed structures showcase Katy’s remarkable collection and her eye for design.

Last year, Rose Hill was featured in Southern Living magazine — national recognition of the beauty, artistry, and dedication that define this exceptional garden. Katy is also an Heirloom Roses Ambassador, a PRS Consulting Rosarian, and a third-generation rose grower. Her knowledge is as abundant as her blooms, and guests will gain inspiration and practical insight along with the visual splendor.

Katy hosts this open garden event each year on Mother’s Day in honor of her mother — her greatest supporter — and her grandmother, who first inspired her love of roses. It is a celebration of family legacy, shared passion, and the joy of growing roses.

If you have ever wanted to see what 500+ roses in full spring glory look like, this is the garden to experience.

You can follow Katy on Instagram at @roseladykaty. Registration for this event will open in April, and the address will be sent to registrants during the week before the event.

photos ©Patricia Lyons Photography for Southern Living Magazine

Nature’s Network: Harnessing the Soil Food Web ~ A New Paradigm for Rose Culture ~ (20 Sep 2026)

Sun, 20 Sep 2026 18:00:00 GMT

Nature never uses a bag of fertilizer—so why do we?

As the global community switches to regenerative agricultural practices to secure our planetary health, the Potomac Rose Society is thrilled to welcome Leslie Lewis, Soil Food Web School board member, and founder of Living Systems Soil, LLC , for an exclusive deep dive into the microscopic world beneath our feet.

During this session, you will discover how to transition from a "chemically-dependent" garden to a self-sustaining ecosystem.

You'll learn the secrets of Mycelium—the vast underground networks of fungal hyphae that can extend for miles. These hairlike "arms" act as a living superhighway, delivering nutrients and water directly to your roses while shielding them from disease and pests.

That's right! If you feed your soil the right way, you may never have to feed your roses again!

We will also cover:

How to brew your own Actively Aerated Compost Tea (AACT) at home—a potent biological "shield" for your plants.
Which common gardening practices are hurting your soil's microbiome?
The specific "superfoods" that turn soil fungi into your rose's new best friend.

As a certified consultant and Board Member of the Soil Food Web School, Leslie is at the forefront of the movement to preserve the legacy of the late Dr. Elaine Ingham. She will share transformative insights on how living microorganisms—not chemicals—are the vigilant guardians of your garden’s health.

"The living microorganisms in the soil are the overlooked foundation of planetary health."— Leslie Lewis

This event is FREE and open to the public. Registration and more details coming this summer, so mark your calendar!

Photo Credits: 1. Mycelium, courtesy of Alex Hyde, 2. courtesy of Leslie Lewis