Welcome
The Mother Lode Rose Society
Local organization of rose enthusiasts located in heart of the Mother Lode. Serving Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado and beyond.
About Mother Lode Rose Society
Learn how easy it is to grow beautiful roses
Monthly meetings featuring educational and entertaining programs, the "Rose Hip" newsletter filled with tips on rose culture and rosy activities. Enjoy special events such as Private Garden Tours, Rose Auction and Little Rose Shows.
Sharing the love of roses with others.
Many of our members have made life long friends
in the Rose Society.
In person monthly meetings that feature programs on rose culture are held first Tuesday @ 1:30 PM of most months in the Auditorium at the Amador Senior Center, 229 New York Ranch Road, Jackson CA.
All ages & abilities. Guests always welcome. Bring a friend!
Upcoming Rosy Events for 2026
- Sat Mar 14 @ 10 AM Special Event: Annual Rose Auction. Bare-rooted & potted roses on sale.
- Tue Apr 7 @ 1:30 PM "The Queen of Flowers Meets the Sport of Kings" by Debbie Arrington. Kentucky Derby theme. Bonus Member's Minute "Foliar Fertilizing" by Beverly Rose Hopper.
- Tue May 5 @ 1:30 PM "Rose Crafts" by Barbara Gordon.
- Tue Jun 2 @ 1:30 PM "Rose Photography Using Your Cell Phone" by Fred Eshpeter.
MLRS Meetings & Events held in Auditorium
of Amador Senior Center, 229 New York Ranch Road, Jackson
unless otherwise noted.
OUR NEXT MONTHLY MEETING
Tue Apr 7 @ 1:30 PM "The Queen of Flowers Meets the King of Sports"
Next Meeting:
Tue Apr 7 @ 1:30 PM
Program: "The Queen of Flowers Meets the King of Sports" by Debbie Arrington
Our April meeting is about the "Run for the Roses" aka the Kentucky Derby. Learn how this sport became intertwined with roses, the history and the continuing relationship with the Queen of Flowers.
In honor of the Kentucky Derby theme, members and guests are invited to wear Derby-stye hats. In addition, mock mint juleps with be served.
Our featured speaker Debbie Arrington is and award-winning journalist and rose aficionado. Debbie was the Garden Editor of the Sacramento Bee for many years, and is currently Editor of the daily blog "Sacramento Digs Gardening"
In addition, the Member's Minute for April (brief segment 5 minute or less) will be "Foliar Feeding" by Master Rosarian Beverly Rose Hopper.
The meeting is free and open to the public.
Amador Senior Center Auditorium
229 New York Ranch Road, Jackson CA
Debbie Arrington, our featured speaker for Apr 7
Special Event
Annual Rose Auction Mar 14 @ 10 AM
Join us on Sat Mar 14, 2026 at 10 AM for our Annual Rose Auction. A bevy of beautiful bare-root roses and potted roses of all types of roses featured in this year's Auction: fragrant, easy-to-grow, hybrid teas, floribundas, climbers and historic antique roses. Besides the roses featured in the Auction, those attending will have the opportunity to purchase some Bargain Basement roses for only $5. There's a rose for every garden and a rose for every budget.
All the fun starts at 10 AM and is Auction usually wraps up at Noon or until all roses are sold. Following the Auction there will be complimentary chili & cornbread lunch for all participants.
Check out the roses in Auction in slideshow below.
Mother Lode Rose Society 2026 Auction
Sat Mar 14 @ 10 AM
Auditorium, Amador Senior Center
229 New York Ranch Road
Jackson CA
Discover The Mother Lode Rose Society
About The Mother Lode Rose Society
We're a community of people who share a passion for roses. Roses are the world's favorite flower, and nothing provides more flower power than roses. From antique to modern, from large specimens to miniatures, easy care roses for the landscape or those for show, climbing roses for pillars/arches or petite roses for containers, there's thousands of varieties to beautiful your garden - and life.
Upcoming Events
Discover our upcoming programs and special events. From beginner to advanced, we have something for everyone.
Experienced Local Advice
Being a Member of the Mother Lode Rose Society provides the opportunity to connect with other local rose growers who share similar conditions - soils, climate, and dealing with country critters. Learn what roses and what techniques work best for your area.
Join Our Club
Become a part of our community and enjoy the benefits of membership. Membership includes educational and entertaining programs, workshops, private garden tours, the "Rose Hip" digital newsletter, and discounts at local nursery, the Amador Flower Farm.
Join or Renew Today
The Mother Lode Rose Society was recently awarded American Rose Society Presidential Citation for 35 years of service to the community.
Annual Membership for 2026
$25 Individual or $35 Family.
Mail check made out to
MLRS to PO Box 1593, Jackson, CA 95642.
Mother Lode Rose Society - rosy programs & workshops, Little Rose Shows, GArden tours & More
Mother Lode Rose Society Quick Tip
Pruning Shears: Bypass vs. Anvil
What You Use to Prune, May be More Important
than WHEN or HOW You Prune.
Though many brands, there are two main types of pruning shears: bypass or anvil. Both have two blades but they each cut in a very different fashion.
Bypass pruners have a sharp blade that cuts past, or by-passes, the second blade. Anvil pruners have two blades that meet in the middle, relying on pressure to cut. Bypass pruners, unless they are dull, make a clean cut. Anvil pruners, well picture what an anvil does - it smashes! Instead of a sharp clean cut, an anvil pruner may not only cut, but crush. When the ends of the cane gets crushed, it's likely to dieback.
The only pruner you should use on your roses is a bypass pruner.
When it comes to bypass pruners, Felco has long been considered the gold standard. Felco offers many models with special features such as rotating handle, model for small hands and even a left-handed version. Another brand which has been rapidly gaining popularity among rose buffs are the ARS bypass pruning shears. Super sharp and remain sharp longer. ARS shears also come in several styles and are available on Amazon.
Whether selecting hand pruners, loppers or pole pruner - choose bypass.
Bypass Pruner top, Anvil Pruner bottom
For the Love of Roses
Learn how to grow beautiful roses from rose growers in the heart of the Mother Lode. Whether you are a beginner or expert, the Mother Lode Rose Society is the local organization for rose enthusiasts serving Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado and beyond.
Mother Lode Rose Society
