Join us as together we learn to grow beautiful, healthy roses!
Upcoming Meeting
April 2026 General Meeting
Date: Monday, April 13, 2026
Time: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., doors open at 6:30
Location:Norman P. Murray Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo
This month, we are pleased to have Laurie Menosky, Master Gardener talk to us about Bees, Butterflies and Other Pollinators.
A long-time resident of South Orange County, Laurie Menosky has been an avid gardener for most of her years in the region. Gardening in a coastal microclimate has given her unique insights into challenges that other areas of the county rarely encounter. Since becoming a UC Master Gardener in 2007, she has volunteered at numerous venues including the Orange County Fair, The Heritage Museum, Santa Ana Zoo, and the Irvine Ranch Rose Garden. As lead of the Speakers Bureau program, Laurie has delivered or hosted over 100 presentations sharing the science-based information that the program provides. She has recently earned her Gold Badge—an honor reserved for Master Gardeners who have completed one thousand volunteer hours. In her own garden, Laurie cultivates a pollinator-friendly garden alongside succulents, roses and native plants as well as fruit and vegetables.
Discover pollination from the gardeners' perspective! The UC Master Gardeners of Orange County explore the vital role pollinators play in our ecosystem and food supply. Meet the key players — bees, wasps, butterflies, moths, hummingbirds, and even lesser-known helpers like flies, beetles, and bats. Learn about nesting habits, host plants, bee population decline, and how you can help attract and protect these essential creatures.
We will be having an amateur Rose Show this month. Please see your Newsletter for details!
Doors open at 6:30, refreshments will be served, and visitors are always welcome!
Bring donations of plants, garden tools, etc. to donate to our "Generous Gardener" table!
Previous Meeting
March 2026 General Meeting
Date: Monday, March 9, 2026
Time: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., doors open at 6:30
Location:Norman P. Murray Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo
This month, we are very pleased to have Brooke Cuevas, owner of Dana Point Nursery talk to us about the best companion plants for roses, including herbs, perennials and annuals. She will also be bringing in soil amendments and fertilizers that are best for this spring time.
Dana Point Nursery is a multi-generation family-owned business. Brooke took over this nursery which was founded by a passionate family committed to nurturing plants and serving the local community. The nursery has grown into a trusted name in the industry. Over the years, it has blossomed into a place that not only offers a wide variety of plants, but also fosters an environment of education and care offering expert advice, guidance and products that enhance the joy of gardening.
They provide high quality healthy, well-maintained plants with excellent customer service. And their grounds and greenhouse are immaculate!
We encourage you to visit Dana Point Nursery for an exceptionally beautiful experience and while there enjoy their tranquil koi pond as you stroll through their very organized outdoor and indoor spaces filled with vibrant plants, trees, shrubs and artful décor. You will be pleasantly surprised and happy. They are located at 34100 Pacific Coast Highway in Dana Point. Their phone #is 949-496-5137
Doors open at 6:30, refreshments will be served, and visitors are always welcome!
Bring donations of plants, garden tools, etc. to donate to our "Generous Gardener" table!
Previous Meeting
February 2026 General Meeting
Date: Monday, February 9, 2026
Time: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., doors open at 6:30
Location:Norman P. Murray Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo
This month, we will have a presentation about vermiculture. Vermiculture is the process of raising earthworms to create worm "castings" (a.k.a. poop) which is an extremely beneficial form of fertilizer. Among the topics discussed will be
Worm Composting General Information
Worm anatomy
Worm Bin
Set up
Purchasing worms
Feeding
Harvesting the compost
Doors open at 6:30, refreshments will be served, and visitors are always welcome!
Bring donations of plants, garden tools, etc. to donate to our "Generous Gardener" table!
Upcoming Meeting
March 2026 General Meeting
Date: Monday, March 9, 2026
Time: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., doors open at 6:30
Location:Norman P. Murray Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo
Meeting Topic TBD
Doors open at 6:30, refreshments will be served, and visitors are always welcome!
Upcoming Meeting
April 2026 General Meeting
Date: Monday, April 13, 2026
Time: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., doors open at 6:30
Location:Norman P. Murray Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo
Topic TBD, stay tuned!
Doors open at 6:30, refreshments will be served, and visitors are always welcome!
Previous Meeting
January 2026 General Meeting
Date: Monday, January 12, 2026
Time: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., doors open at 6:30
Location:Norman P. Murray Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo
This month we are happy to host an informal Rosarian Panel with
some our ARS Consulting Rosarians from our Rose Society to
discuss their rose-related best practices, tips and advice to our
members.
We will discuss Pest Control, Fertilizer, and After Pruning Care
(horticultural oil & dormant spray, worm castings and
Epsom salts)
We will, of course, include a Questions and Answers portion.
Please come prepared to ask your questions. for our Rosarians.
Doors open at 6:30, refreshments will be served, and visitors are always welcome!
Previous Event
Annual Rose Pruning Clinic
Date: Saturday, January 24, 2026
Time: 9 am to Noon
Location: Mission Viejo Library Rose Garden
As we’ve done before, we’ll be doing a thorough pruning on all the rose bushes in the
garden. We will have Rosarians on hand to demonstrate the proper pruning methods for
the several types of roses including the hybrid teas, the floribundas, the David Austins,
the miniatures and the climbing roses.
Please remember to bring your pruning clippers and protective gardening gear and
gloves. We will have Clorox type disinfectant wipes to sanitize your clippers before
pruning at the garden and afterwards to protect this garden and yours.
We welcome all members, their families and their neighbors to participate in this
community event ….bring a friend to share in this activity. Masks Optional.
We will be providing Donuts, Coffee, and Bottled Water.
Looking forward to a great turnout!
Please contact Dianne Soeder, Mission Viejo Library Rose Garden Coordinator at
949-697-8571 with any questions.
Previous Meeting
May General Meeting
Date: Monday, May 12, 2025
Time: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., doors open at 6:30
Location:Norman P. Murray Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo
Featuring Gisele Schoniger representing Kellogg Gardening Products
Gisele has been 40 years in the Garden Industry and has worked as the Organic Gardening Educator for Kellogg Garden Products for 25 years now. Learning about organic practices and how nature intended we grow our gardens is one of the most rewarding ways to care for you, your family, your garden, and the planet at large. Knowing the how, when, why, and what of amending, enriching, and recharging our roses, raised bed gardens, and in ground gardens, is critical to garden success. These organic methods will rejuvenate your rose gardens, lawns, and landscapes, making them more resilient to pests and diseases, while working with nature, one garden at a time! We will discuss the advantages of organic versus synthetic approaches and how they affect soil health & plant growth. The scoop on poop & so much more.
We will be having a "Rose Show" at our meeting this month. Pleas bring you entries early so that all are prepared by 6:50. Doors open at 6:30, refreshments will be served, and visitors are always welcome!
Previous Meeting
April General Meeting
Date: Monday, April 14, 2025
Time: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., doors open at 6:30
Location:Norman P. Murray Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo
For our April meeting, we are pleased to have Dave Freed, the Tomato Guy.
Dave is looking forward to talking about how easy it is to grow tomatoes and other vegetables either organically or using manmade fertilizers. Improving your soil will be the best improvement you can make. Tomatoes are the most popular garden vegetable grown by home gardeners. You can check him out here: www.growtomatoeseasily.com.
We will be having a "Rose Show" at our meeting this month. Pleas bring you entries early so that all are prepared by 6:50. Doors open at 6:30, refreshments will be served, and visitors are always welcome!
Previous Meeting
March General Meeting
Date: Monday, March 10, 2025
Time: 7 p.m. - 9 p.m., doors open at 6:30
Location:Norman P. Murray Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo
Our presenter this month will be Consulting Rosarian Dorothy Birsic, member of the Orange County Rose Society. Dorothy is a frequent rose exhibitor both at American Rose Society Rose Shows and the Orange County Fair.
The title of Dorothy's presentation is: "Your Next Blue
Ribbon Awaits: Tips for Exhibiting Roses and Photographing
Roses for Rose Shows." The presentation will cover what
judges are looking for when they look at a rose, particularly
from an ARS perspective, some practical advice for the
novice exhibitor, and some basic tips for photographing
roses, Refreshments will be served and guests are always welcome!
Previous Event
Annual Pruning Clinic
Rose Society of Saddleback Mountain Annual Rose Pruning Clinic
Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025
Time: 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Location: Mission Viejo Library Rose Garden
100 Civic Center Drive (off Marguerite and La Paz) Mission Viejo
Come and learn the art and techniques of pruning roses from the helpful experts in our group. Bring a heavy pair of gloves, bypass pruning shears and sun protection. Hope to see you there!
Previous Meeting
RSSM General Meeting, Monday, February 10, 7pm
Please join us for another informative presentation by Kris Bonner, "The Traveling Gardener". Kris will be taking us on a virtual tour of the gardens of Australia and New Zealand.
Doors open at 6:30 and refreshments are served. Visitors are always welcome!
Location: Norman P. Murray Center, 24932 Veterans Way, Mission Viejo
Previous Meeting
RSSM General Meeting, Monday, September 9 2024, 7pm
A popular local speaker, Kris Bonner a.k.a. "The Traveling Gardener" will present the gardens of Lake Como, Italy. The presentation will feature a slideshow of some of the most beautiful, intriguing, and inspirational gardens in the world. You will hear travel tips, along with stories of how these gardens have changed the world for the better.
Doors open at 6:30 and refreshments will be served. Visitors are always welcome!
Previous Meeting
RSSM General Meeting, Monday, May 13, 2024, 7pm
This month current RSSM member, George Zilligen presents a program on rambling roses. He retired as a Minnesota Certified Pharmacy Technician in 2016 then moved to California. During his 36 years in years in Minnesota he was a member of The Twin Cities Rose Club, The Minnesota Rose Society, and The North Star Rose Club. He was one of the youngest members of the American Rose Society joining at age 11 in 1965. Four roses he has grown in California now are part of the Huntington Library and Botanical Rose Garden in San Marino, California. His rambling rose presentation has been given at Northern Iowa State University and published in the Minnesota Horticulture Magazine. Some of the pictures included in this presentation are from Steve Jones, former president of the American Rose Society and an avid rambling rose fan. We will be having our amateur "Rose Show" this month, so bring your favorite blooms to enter. See our April Newsletter for further details. You need to arrive early and have all of your entries staged and ready before 7pm.
Doors open at 6:30 and refreshments will be served. Visitors are always welcome!
Previous Event
Annual RSSM Pruning Clinic, Saturday, January 20, 2024, 9am - 12pm
Join us as we gather for our annual pruning workshop at the Mission Viejo Library Rose Garden! We need all hands on deck as we complete pruning our approximately 100 rose bushes and get them ready for the next season! Please bring your own pruning shears/loppers, gloves, and sun protection. Visitors are welcome and can learn the best pruning techniques from one of our many Consulting Rosarians. Coffee and donuts will be provided!
