In addition to the excitement of thenew entryway pergola being constructedin the Ottaway Rose Garden, visitors tothe rose garden this year and next willalso be entertained with the growth andflowering of new climbing roses thatwill soon be planted on the pergola. Instark contrast to the once-blooming Dr.Huey rootstock that graced the oldpergola, the refurbished pergola willfeature the climbing roses ‘Darlow’sEnigma’ and ‘Improved Blaze’ withhopes that they will provide overarchingentry color and fragrance in a few shortyears.‘Darlow’s Enigma’ is a white

continuous blooming climber that is stilla rare plant in the rose world. In keepingwith its name, ‘Darlow’s Enigma’ is arose of unknown parentage found

growing in Eugene, Oregon by MikeDarlow and introduced to commerce inthe early 1990’s by Heirloom Roses. Itis labeled a hybrid Musk rose by someauthorities and a Modern Shrub rose byothers, but regardless, it is completelywinter hardy to zone 4 and should bewell able to withstand the dry coldKansas weather. As a garden plant,‘Darlow’s Enigma’ is a triple performer.The small white single and semi-doubleblooms come continuously and open flatto display a center of golden stamens, it

has a exceptionally strong and sweetperfume that should captivate gardenvisitors, and in winter it will carry smallbright red hips through the holidayseason.Many visitors will be familiar with

our second new climber but may nothave had the space or conditions to give‘Improved Blaze’ its opportunity for fullglory. ‘Improved Blaze’ is an old rosegarden workhorse that has a reputationas a reliable performer throughout NorthAmerica. ‘Improved Blaze’ is a large-flowered scarlet red double rose thatalso blooms repeatedly throughout theseason and on the pergola we expect itto provide a handsome combinationwith its white companion. ‘ImprovedBlaze’ is only slightly fragrant, butnonetheless has exceptional diseaseresistance and is perfectly cold hardy inour Kansas climate.

—Dr. James Roush

Climbing to an Improved Rose Garden

Department of Horticulture,Forestry and Recreation Resources2021 Throckmorton HallManhattan, KS 66506–5506

The Kansas State University Gardens are designed as a lifelonglearning laboratory to encourage environmental involvement withthe university community and the public.An ever-changing displayof plants provides an opportunity for education, research andconservation.

The Kansas State University Gardens are located on the campus ofKansas State University at 1500 Denison Avenue, north of ClaflinRoad. Quinlan Visitor Center is part of the historic Dairy Barn.

NEWSSPRING 2009

Upcoming Events

Darlow’s Enigma

From the Friends Fundraising CommitteeIn March, the fundraising committee

hosted a Gardens Luncheon Seriespresentation by Mike DeRee of BallSeeds. He shared a slide show of newand favorite annual flower cultivarswith an excited audience of 16 avidgardeners. The next Luncheon Seriespresentation will be inJuly, date to beannounced, featuringDr. James Roushspeaking about hisnew book, GardenMusings, old roses,and garden journaling.Invitations will beemailed and posted on the KSU Gardenswebsite when the date is confirmed.The Little Cottage Gift Shop at the

Gardens will be opening weekends forthe summer season. The committee islooking for volunteers to staff the gift

shop. Interested individuals shouldcontact Lori Levin at llevin@ksu.edu,and when we have a list of volunteerswe will hold a training session and set aschedule.Looking forward to June, the

committee helped to generate silentauction items for the Gardens Gala.Some exclusive items include a giftbasket from Emerald City Market, aBBQ Extravaganza set-up fromVarney’s Book Store, dinner for six intheir own home by Ralph Diaz of GaiaSalon featuring produce from La La’sHeirloom Produce, a Ralph Fontenotpainting, and a wrought iron bistro setfrom Lee Creek Gardens. We lookforward to seeing you at the GalaJune 5!

Lori Levin, Chair,Fundraising Committee,Friends of the KSU Gardens

Friday, June 5, 20096:30 p.m.

Kansas State University Gardens1500 Denison Avenue

Cocktails and heavy hors d’oeuvresStrolling accordionTour the gardens

Exceptional silent auctionDance musicValet parking

For ticket information, contactKarla Wisdom at the

KSU Foundation, 532-7513

5th Annual KSU Gardens Gala

June 5, 2009

Luncheon Series:DR. JAMES ROUSH

July, date TBAMore information will be emailed

Annual Iris Sale

July 25, 2009 • 8 a.m. to noonKSU Gardens, 1500 Denison Ave.

Message from the DirectorThe Lindquist Family Annual Flower

Display will showcase some specialaward winning flowers this season. TheKSU Gardens has been designated as an

All-AmericaSelections Flowerand VegetableDisplay Garden.We are veryexcited toparticipate in this

program. Our visitors will notice thenew sign posted at the Gardens parkinglot that designates the AAS DisplayGarden status. The plants that have beenselected as award winners will beplanted throughout the Gardens andeasily identified by labels that includethe variety name and year of

introduction as an AASWinner. Eachspring semester, students taking FloralCrop Productions grow the annualflowers that are planted in the KSUGardens. This spring, the students wereespecially excited to have theopportunity to grow the AAS plants forthis years display. We anticipate onhaving everything planted and properlylabeled prior to the Garden Gala onFriday, June 5 and the Riley CountyExtension Master Gardener’s GardenTour which will be held on Saturday,June 6. Hope to see you at one or bothof these events this year in the KSUGardens.

Scott McElwain, Director,KSU Gardens

From the Friends Membership ChairMay is a wonderful month in

Manhattan as the warmer temperaturesof spring launch the growing season.Trees bud and bloom, spring flowersshow their brilliant colors, and thelawns green and grow with vigor.Morning walks are invigorating, not justfor the exercise, but for the beauty ofthe new life and color of spring.Our KSU Gardens are also alive with

activity. The grass is green, the trees arein full leaf, the perennials are in activegrowth, and annual flowers are beingplanted by our garden staff and interns.It is fulfilling, as one strolls through thegardens, to know that our Friends of theKansas State University Gardens arecontributing to this treasure of beauty onthe campus through Friends membershipsand the many fundraising activities thathappen through the year.

One of those activities that everyoneshould put on their “can’t miss” list isthe Garden Gala scheduled for June 5.See the “Taste of Tuscany”announcement in the newsletter andmake sure you get tickets to thiswonderful spring garden party.You’ll also find information in the

newsletter about becoming a Friend. Ifyou are not a member, we would love tohave you join us. Or perhaps you canpass the newsletter to a friend, and askthem to consider Friends membership.We are excited about our growingFriends memberships and look forwardto the continued growth and expansionof the Kansas State University Gardens.

Jim Lindquist, Chair,Membership Committee,Friends of the KSU Gardens

From the President of the Friends of the KSU GardensDear Friends,This past year has been one of

refining and defining who we are andwhat our mission is as a Board. Astrategic planning meeting in Julyhelped us set up a framework for thiseffort and a direction for achieving ourgoals. We began the year by revisingand fine tuning our Constitution toaccurately reflect our mission andpurpose and to give us the means toaccomplish our goals. We also focusedon establishing a budget designed toprovide timely and detailed informationat our monthly meetings.Other goals which have been reached

this year are as follows:1) We have increased the number of

Board members from 16 to ourmaximum of 21.2) Amembership calendar has been

created and our mailing list has beenincreased. There are now over 98Friends, up 34 members from 2007.3) A new brochure has been

developed for the Gardens.4) Our newsletter is now produced

three times a year by Art Craft Printersand has changed format and addedcolor.5) Our fundraising efforts from the

Gala raised monies to fund three studentinternships ($18,000). The gift shop,luncheon series, plant sale, andpoinsettia sale generated additionalrevenue for the Gardens and providedexceptional opportunities for ourFriends.6) A reception to welcome our new

K-State President and his wife to theGardens has been planned for ourSponsors’ Party on September 27, 2009.

As this year comes to a close for theFriends of the KSU Gardens Board, anew one begins. In addition to the 16current board members, we welcome sixnew members to our board: MarilynGalle, Melissa Jones, Tim Lindemuth,Marti Meek, Polly Stoecklein, andCheryl Yunk. Ruth Ann Wefald willbecome our first honorary boardmember. Next year’s officers are: JimLindquist, President; Mitzi Richards,President-elect; Jo Lyle, Treasurer, andDeloris Berland, Secretary.Thank you to our hardworking board

and to our generous Friends. We lookforward to serving and promoting theK-State Gardens in the coming year.

Sincerely,Sharon Snyder, President,Friends of the KSU Gardens

Kansas State University

G AR DENSConstructed and maintained

by the Department of Horticulture,Forestry and Recreation Resources

Stuart WarrenDepartment Head

Scott K. McElwainKSU Gardens DirectorThomas D. Warner

Professor and Projects DirectorKim Schirer

KSU FoundationDirector of DevelopmentCollege of Agriculture(800) 432–1578

Student Gardeners:Paul Cook

(Horticulture intern)Leann Kootz

(Horticulture work-study)Selena Manche

(Horticulture intern)Alecia StuchlikZac Swim

Kathryn WildeBoard of Directors:

Sharon Snyder, PresidentDeloris BerlandKris Boone

Richard ColemanNancy FarrarJanice FlanaryKaren HibbardLori LevinJim LindquistJo Lyle

Mitzi RichardsJim RoushAnn ScottJudy Unruh

Barb WassenbergHonorary Board Member:

Ruth Ann Wefald

KSU Gardens2021 ThrockmortonManhattan, KS 66506(785) 532–3271 phone(785) 532–3273 fax

ksugardens@ksu.eduwww.ksu.edu/gardens

Grow with the GardensBecome a Friend and/or Volunteer at the KSU Gardens!

Volunteers provide essential assistance that is greatly appreciated. If you are interested in volunteeringin any of the following capacities, please return this form indicating your interests in serving.

Name _____________________________________________________________________________________________Address ___________________________________________________________________________________________City, State, Zip______________________________________________________________________________________Phone _____________________________________ E-mail ________________________________________________Membership:I would like to support the KSU Gardensat the following level:� Patron ($25 to $49)� Contributor ($50 to $99)� Supporter ($100 to $249)� Benefactor ($250 to $499)� Builders Circle ($500 to $999)� Distinguished Friend ($1,000 and up)

� Gift membership provided by:______________________________

Volunteer:I would like to assist the KSU Gardensin the following ways:� Gardening� Tour Guide� Information Center Volunteer� Gift Shop Volunteer� Educational Programs� Special Events� Publication Production� Other:______________________________

Please return form to:Friends of the KSU GardensDepartment of Horticulture, Forestryand Recreation Resources2021 Throckmorton HallManhattan, KS 66506–5506

Friends of the KSU Gardens D25860

CLIP AND RETURN LOWER PORTION

Special Note: The cooler temperatures havedramatically prolonged the Iris Collection’sbeautiful display. The anticipated peak willbe around May 23 which is about twoweeks later than usual. Come see thewonderful colors and pick your favoritesthat can also be purchased at the annualIris sale which is always the last Saturday inJuly (July 25, 2009) from 8 a.m. to noon.