Award-winning rose researcher to speak at Rose Society meeting March 13

The Rose Society of Saddleback Mountain will host its next meeting on Monday, March 13 featuring an award-winning rose researcher.  The meeting starts at 7 p.m. at the Santa Margarita Water District, 26111 Antonio Parkway. Doors open at 6:30 p.m.

Guest speaker Christian Bedard has long been involved in the field of rose research including the improvement of winter hardy roses and patenting several new rose cultivars. He's enjoyed a 17-year career with Weeks Roses and is an active contributor to rose publications and shares his knowledge of roses through radio and television interviews. 

Under Christian's direction at Weeks Roses, about 45,000 flowers are annually hand-pollinated at the company's research facility in Pomona to produce around 250,000 seeds.  Only after private trials in five states and Christian's input are the final selections made.

Christian has three Award of Excellence winners and several hybrids and co-hybrids to his credit.  The public is invited to join this fascinating discussion.

For more information about the Rose Society of Saddleback Mountain, visit http://www.rosesrosesroses.org.