
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.

Local organization of rose enthusiasts located in heart of the Mother Lode. Serving Amador, Calaveras, El Dorado and beyond.

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!

MLRS Meetings & Events held in Auditorium
of Amador Senior Center, 229 New York Ranch Road, Jackson
unless otherwise noted.
Next Meeting:
Tue Mar 3 @ 1:30 PM
Program: "A Year in the Life of a Rose" by Joe Truskot.
One of the wonderful things about gardening is every year is a fresh start.
Our Mar 3 meeting will give you lots of rosy information on how to plan for a year of beautiful roses. "The Year of a Rose" by Joe Truskot will cover a monthly review of the many things rose growers can do to get great blooming roses throughout the season. We'll cover soil, food, water, insects, diseases, and grooming. We'll also discuss the different needs of prize-winning hybrid teas and floribundas, climbing roses, miniatures, and tree roses. It's a widespread reach with lots of practical advice.
Joe Truskot is a man of many talents, and we are delighted he's able to journey to Jackson to present this program with us. Joe has served as President of the Monterey Bay Rose Society. He's host of "Music of the Masters" 6 to 9 AM Saturdays, "In the Garden" 9 to 10 AM Saturdays, and "Monday Night at the Opera" 7 to 10 PM Mondays all on KSQD Santa Cruz 90.7 FM and KSQT Prunedale 89.7, streaming and podcasting at ksqd.org
Joe Truskot also has a gardening blog at enterprises.joetruskot.com
The meeting is free and open to the public.
Amador Senior Center Auditorium
229 New York Ranch Road, Jackson CA

Joe Truskot, our featured speaker for Mar 3, 2026
For the beginner or expert, whether you grow 1 rose or 300,
or simply enjoy beautiful roses.
You are welcome to join us.

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.
Discover our upcoming programs and special events. From beginner to advanced, we have something for everyone.
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.
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.
Love & Peace, Hybrid Tea

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 Membership for 2026
Download PDF



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
Stop and smell the roses at the Rose Garden, Amador Senior Center
Chrisie Common
Cindy Phipps
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.
