Meet Maverick at the Friday Reception
You won’t want to miss the Friday reception at the Medley of Roses – ARS Convention & Rose Show. The theme for the reception is “I Never Promised You a Rose Garden.” You may recognize the lyrics from Lynn Anderson’s 1970 legendary hit song “Rose Garden”. She won a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance in 1971, and received gold certification for the record. Lisa Sutton and Melissa Hempel, Lynn’s daughters, will host the reception.
Lynn’s early life was intwined not only with music, but also with horses. She was an accomplished equestrian who competed quite successfully, earning over 700 trophies. Lynn commissioned a replica of a life-sized horse that reinforced and complimented her love of music and horses. Maverick was painted as a Palomino (at Lisa and Melissa’s grandfather’s suggestion) with beautiful pink roses inset with rhinestones. He wears Lynn’s grandmother’s gorgeous custom-made ornate silver parade saddle that is over 100 years old. When it came time to name the horse, it was Grandpa who suggested the name Maverick, after the parade horse he had in his younger days.
The convention is not Maverick’s first rodeo! You may remember him from his appearance at the 2019 Miniature Rose Convention in Franklin, Tennessee where he was quite a hit! Maverick will be a very popular photo op. The reception will not only feature Maverick, but also some of Lynn Anderson’s memorabilia and outfits as well as musical entertainment.
Be sure to include tickets for the reception when you register. If you have already registered and would like to add the reception, send an email to diane@medleyofroses.org. After the reception you will have plenty of time to go to the Friday night performance at the Grand Ole Opry.
Publication of Third Volume in the Rose Atlas Trilogy,
“20th Century Hybridizers”
Register now for the Medley of Roses – 2026 ARS National Convention & Rose Show and receive a complimentary desk copy of the Rose Atlas (vol. 3): 20th Century Hybridizers.
Publication Date June 2026
Rose breeders, professional and amateurs, have been so active that an additional third volume in the Rose Atlas series became necessary to chronicle and do appropriate justice to their contributions. Having eloquently demonstrated over the last century exemplary service and camaraderie, they deserved recognition via an authoritative reference work to chronicle their breeding accomplishments in the 20th century. Often stated, reference works are established as key legacies to help future generations to admire and learn from the past. Progress in rose evolution has been aided in the most part by the contributions of a plethora of amateurs becoming a pivotal force to showcase rose hybridizers for their ingenuity demonstrating depth of their passion for roses.
Planning process required guidelines to govern the selection of breeders to remain within the assigned 400 pages. Selections for this international group of over one hundred breeders was a difficult task. Researching the available literature from existing large databases compiled by the America Rose Society and HelpMeFind were invaluable on parentages and their ancestors.
More importantly, the passion and dedication of the relatively small clan of hybridizers is guaranteed to expand in their combined quest providing new varieties to improve our daily lives and the enjoyment of growing roses!
Click here for the complete press release.
The Greater Milwaukee Rose Society is coming to Nashville
… By way of Indianapolis. Get on the bus and join the fun!
Does your rose society or district have plans to attend the Medley of Roses – 2026 ARS Convention and Rose Show? We would love to hear about it and share it! Send information to webmaster.arsconv@gmail.com.
We look forward to seeing you in Nashville!