Author Archives: Chris VanCleave - America's Favorite Rose Gardener

About Chris VanCleave - America's Favorite Rose Gardener

Christopher R. VanCleave – America’s Favorite Rose Gardener Nicknamed "The Redneck Rosarian”, Chris VanCleave is passionate about gardening and growing roses. He is an active member of the Birmingham chapter of the American Rose Society, serving two terms as President. In 2007, he created the Rose Chat Podcast which has reached over a half a million listeners with news and information on growing on growing the world’s most beloved flower, the rose. He was a contributor to the 2015 Southern Living Gardening Book, has appeared on P. Allen Smith’s Garden Home television show and was featured in the June 2015 issue of Southern Living Magazine. Locally, Chris serves as Chairman of the Helena Alabama Beautification Board where he has spearheaded efforts to create a sustainable landscape in one of the top one hundred places to live in the United States. His writing is seen at About.com and on his popular website; RedneckRosarian.com, where he chronicles his gardening adventures and explores an intrinsic mix of life, faith and gardening. An agent of change with over 20 years’ experience in process innovation, Mr. VanCleave is leading the charge to reinvigorate horticultural societies and helping them to reach their full potential in the social media age.

October in the Rose Garden – Fall Blooms Are The Best

“I’m so glad we live in a world where there are Octobers.” – Anne of Green Gables Don’t know about you, but I looked up and it was October. This year has flown by. Between working in the garden, a … Continue reading

Posted in #roses, Garden, gardening, Rose Care, Rose Report, roses, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 11 Comments

2016 Biltmore International Rose Trials

Results from the 2016 Biltmore International Rose Trials Continue reading

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Urban Legends | Growing Roses From Seed | Don’t Buy It

On the whole, I average 25-75 emails per week from folks asking rose related questions. About 25% of those are questions related to how to grow roses from seed. Growing roses from seeds can be done. It takes patience. To … Continue reading

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Five Great Summer Reads – Books to Delight the Gardener Within You

America’s Favorite Rose Gardener Chris VanCleave aka “The Redneck Rosarian” shares five books he just can’t put down this summer. Continue reading

Posted in #roses, books, Celebrating The Joy Roses Bring, summer reading, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 5 Comments

It’s July! Show Us Your Bloomers!

America’s Favorite Rose Gardener, Chris VanCleave shares his “tried and true” roses. Those varieties that seem to thrive despite the record heat of July. Continue reading

Posted in #roses, Alabama, Care And Feeding, Rose Care, Rose Report, roses | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | 7 Comments

Be an Advocate for Roses

Advocacy is defined as “public support or a recommendation for a particular cause or policy”. It’s no secret that I have long been an advocate for roses. Whether it’s traveling on a national speaking tour speaking to rose societies on … Continue reading

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How The Rose Became Our National Flower

Read how the rose became our national flower from America’s Favorite Rose Gardener, Chris VanCleave Continue reading

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Rose Care Tips for May

Wow! It’s already May and my Deep South rose garden is in a glorious flush of spring blooms. We hosted our first Open Garden Day last weekend and had about 80 folks join us in the garden. What a blessing … Continue reading

Posted in #MooPooCrew, #roses, Alabama, American Rose Society, Articles, Celebrating The Joy Roses Bring, Garden, Garden Tour, gardening, gardening events | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Best Of Birmingham – A Potting Bench For Us Guys

America’s Favorite Rose Gardener aka “The Redneck Rosarian” talks about upcycled potting bench made by a local craftsman Continue reading

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Who The Heck Cares Whether You Save A Rose?

America’s Favorite Rose Gardener, Chris VanCleave aka “The Redneck Rosarian” speaks out on the crisis unfolding in Sacramento California’s historic city cemetery. Continue reading

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