Hi - Tyler has loads of fun things! Esp. this time of year. And the Azalea Trail is going on now - do search for "Tyler Azalea Trail" and it will show you photos of what things look like now. Blue Moon Gardens is a must see [plants, roses, display gardens, gift shop]....the town of Edom is charming [good resturant there], and you can do Hand Nursery on the way. The Municipal Rose Garden is probably not in bloom now but there will be so much other fun stuff you will have a full day.

Hand Nursery
Blue Moon Gardens
town of Edom

To get to Hand Nursery and Blue Moon.......you get on the Loop and go to Hwy. 64 [this is also the road to Canton, the once a month flea market fest!!] - coming from Chamblees, you will turn right. I cant remember how many miles - 6-8 - but Hand Nursery will be on the right [it is sort of down a little hill, elevation wise, and you can see 3 big greenhouses]. David Austin Roses office is on the left hand side, right before you get to Hand's. [order first, then pick up there, no display gardens, no walk ins]. Then right up from Hand Nursery, you will see a sign that says "Edom" on the right. Turn left there [only one road, so easy to see]. Go about 6 miles and Blue Moon Gardens is on the left. Fabulous display gardens and every unusual plant you can imagine and a fabulous gift shop in a cute cute redone farmhouse. Then.......go on in to the little town of Edom - cute place to eat, Potters Brown with beautiful handmade pottery and other cute things.....The icing on the cake is Mercados Mexican Resturant, on the Loop. Divine!

The Arbor Gate near Conroe is having Rose Day March 28, the Houston Rose Society rose show is April 18, their garden tour is April 19......with you living that close, you really should join - $12/year for gazette and you get 10% off at several nurseries including Teas, and for Rose Week in February at Southwest Fertilizer [where I get my Mills Magic Rose Mix] it is 15% off. Oh, almost forgot Jordan's Plant Farm and the cute wholesale nurseries in New Summerfield.....this is off Hwy. 69 right at Jacksonville. Jordans has a fantastic gift shop and beautiful plants. If you need directions, let me know.
Judith

Tyler is a great town & East Texas is especially beautiful at this time of year with all the dogwoods in bloom, etc. I'm jealous that you get to visit Blue Moon Gardens. Bring some money there ... you will be tempted. Chamblees has become better known, in my opinion, for good modern roses growing on their own roots. I respect them, and they have great roses and service, but my heart is with OGRs and antiques, so I don't buy as much from them as I used to, especially with ARE, Vintage, & Roses Unlimited filling my needs so well. They have a nice selection of own-root David Austin English roses and they do still carry some OGRs. In fact, I occassionally have seen a few Austins there that were not even listed on their website.

When my wife and I first met, we went on dates to Tyler. At the time, we lived just south of there in a smaller town, with Tyler being the "big city", as Dallas & Houston were too far away.

Have fun,
Randy

Hello Judith,
Thank you very much for your detailed explanation about Tyler and Edom. Indeed, Blue Moon Garden is so very tempting. It is also nearby Tyler airfield that to tempt my DH to visit for their museum too.
It is neat that you mentioned, that Mercer Arboretum is having the plant sale this Friday & Saturday. My friend and I have discussed about which to visit, and I think we will be going to MA this time. I let my HRS membership expired and gotta join this year.

Hello Randy,
That was the news I was sort afraid of hearing, as Chamblees changing their selection. Their prior selection was great, with the gigantic 1 gallon plant with such a reasonable price. It is just Buck and DA are mixed bunch for the health, I am more inclined to go after tough cookie OGR as I don't spray. At least we still have ARE in TX which is within a driving distance for me, and Vintage, RU and Ashdown. BTW, dating with your wify at Tyler... so romantic.

The Bucks, although not antiques, are well worth growing in Texas. Look them over. Just because a rose isn't old doesn't mean it isn't worth growing. A good rose is a good rose is a good rose,even if it was introduced this year.

What rozannadanna says is true. What's neat is some of the modern roses being introduced are bred from some of the old teas. I am trying several newer roses this year, and will be growing them in pots for awhile.

Talk with Pat at Roses Unlimited. She has been given me much help in that regard. She really knows roses.

I, too, will always favor the old antique roses, especially the "found" roses. They are also the bulk of what I want to grow. However, a good rose is a delight, no matter when it was born.

Sandy