Welcome to the Medley of Roses – 2026 ARS Convention & Rose Show Wrap-up
Dr. Mark Windham Receives the 2026 ARS Gold Honor Medal
Dr. Mark Windham is a wonderful speaker and teacher—informative, engaging, and entertaining. His research on Rose Rosette Disease, one of the most destructive diseases affecting ornamental roses in the United States, has been invaluable to rosarians and rose growers across the country. Through district meetings, educational programs, and articles, Dr. Windham has generously shared his research findings and helped rosarians better understand and address this devastating disease.
For many years, Dr. Windham presented classes at the Tenarky District Consulting Rosarian (CR) schools, as well as at CR schools across the country. During the pandemic, when travel was no longer possible, he continued sharing his knowledge through virtual presentations. He continues to travel across the country to speak and attend rose events. His dedication to rose education has made a lasting impression on his students and on rosarians nationwide.
Much beloved by his students and fellow rosarians, Dr. Windham retired in June 2022 from the University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture after 37 years of teaching and research. During his distinguished career, he served as a Distinguished Professor and Chair of Ornamental Pathology.
Although much of his research focused on Rose Rosette Disease, Dr. Windham also contributed significantly to research addressing plant health issues in hydrangeas and flowering dogwoods. His research interests included:
- Virus and eriophyid mite resistance in Rosa species
- Ecology of eriophyid mites associated with Rosa species
- Cultural and chemical controls for Rose Rosette Disease
- Management of Cercospora leaf spot in cultivated roses
- Powdery mildew resistance in flowering dogwood
- Reintroduction of dogwoods as a nursery crop in the Deep South
- Resistance to fungal foliar diseases in hydrangeas
Throughout his career, Dr. Windham has authored and co-authored hundreds of articles for rose publications at the local, district, and national levels. He has been a frequent and highly regarded speaker at rose society meetings and conventions, inspiring and educating generations of rosarians. Even in retirement, he remains a sought-after speaker and continues to share his expertise. He also writes monthly articles for distribution to American Rose Society newsletter editors for inclusion in local and district publications.
Retirement has not slowed Dr. Windham’s commitment to the world of roses. He continues to study rose diseases and contribute to the development of sustainable roses, helping advance the future of rose growing for generations to come.
In 2023, Dr. Windham received the American Rose Society’s Klima Medal for Excellence in Rose Education. Now, in recognition of his exceptional contributions to rose research, education, and the rosarians he has inspired throughout the country, the American Rose Society proudly honors him with the 2026 Gold Honor Medal.
This prestigious recognition is a fitting tribute to a dedicated researcher, gifted educator, and cherished friend to the rose community. Congratulations, Dr. Windham, on this well-deserved honor!
Dr. Mark Windham – “Holistic Rose Care”
The Medley of Roses – 2026 ARS Convention & Rose Show was honored to have as one of our speakers Dr. Mark Windham. Dr. Windham was a Distinguished Professor of Ornamental Plant Pathology at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. For the last 14 years of his career, Mark worked toward developing management plans for Rose Rosette Disease (RRD), studying the virus’s mite vector, and searching for disease resistance. He was part of a multistate team that discovered genes for resistance to RRD in roses.And the Winners Are!
Medley of Roses was an awesome convention and rose show! With such crazy weather this summer, we were concerned that we would not have a lot of roses; but our exhibitors came through!
There were hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of roses in the horticulture division, 34 arrangements, and 272 photos! Thank you exhibitors for sharing your roses with those attending the convention and the public! You made our show a huge success.
Congratulations to all those who won national, district, and open classes in the three divisions! And thanks to our national chairs, the judges, clerks, runners, tally team, placement, recording/certificate teams, setup and dismantling helpers, banquet table bouquet makers, vendors, speakers, volunteers, and our show committee who made our 2026 convention a huge success!
For a complete list of the Rose Show Results, click here.
It has come to our attention that not all Medley of Roses certificates were placed. If you had a winning entry in Classes 21-60 and did not receive a certificate, please email Mary Ann Hext. Classes 1-20 will be mailed soon as will ARS arrangement certificates. We apologize for this oversight. Mary Ann Hext – mhext@outlook.com