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In his many years of working with roses, Mr. Moore has also used the Antique Moss roses to introducing mossing into his miniature roses. At right you can see one of the sucessful hybrids that has very mossy buds. This is a miniature called 'Lemon Delight', so called because the mossy glands on the sepals are strongly scented of lemon when touched. This is a very pretty rose, and is a strong grower in the garden. This rose was bred from 'Fairy Moss', and 'Goldmoss'. There is also anotherr seedling from the same cross called 'Paintbrush', which is similar in many ways, but opens apricot yellow and fades to cream. Both are fine plants of unique character.

In 1988, Sequoia introduced a bright red miniature Moss rose called 'Scarlet Moss', pictured at left. This is a bit taller than the average Miniature rose, eventually reaching 2.5 feet tall. It blooms all season long, with 2" semi double blooms of the richest scarlet. There is not much fragrance from the bloom itself, but the mossing on the sepals is very intensely scented of Balsam.

In keeping with Mr. Moore's creative approach to achieving the desired results in breeding, he turned to the R. kordesii climber, 'Dortmund' to create 'Scarlet Moss'. In fact, this rose has 'Dortmund' as a grandparent on both sides, making it 50% 'Dortmund'! Undoubtedly, this rose inherited its brilliant color, and strong growth from this climber.

When I was visiting Sequoia in fall of 1998, Ralph Moore showed me some of the newest roses he had bred in recent years. The rose at right is a new hybrid that has yet to be released into commerce. It is a floribunda type shrub whose blooms start out a light pink, and quickly transform into this icy green color! It may not be to everyone's liking, but when you see it in person, it is a fascinating rose! I found it to be very attractive.

At present, I know nothing about this rose' growth habits, disease resistance, or hardiness. It is believed to be a seedling from 'Sheri Anne' one of the most frequently used studs at Sequoia. (Apparently it has parented over 80 varieties by Mr. Moore and other breeders!) I have been told that 'Sheri Anne' is the parent that is most often likely to give the occasional green seedling.

While the focus of Sequoia's breeding program has been to produce excellent plants for the garden, with less emphasis on the traditional Hybrid Tea from, Ralph Moore has bred a few of these types too. Pictured at left is the 1998 introduction, 'Jacquie Williams', a beautiful bicolor miniature. These red and white blooms resemble the earlier Moore hybrid 'Magic Carrousel' , but on a more compact plant, and with better form. The blooms last a very long time, and the plant has plenty of disease resistant, dark green foliage. This one is new to me this year, but already I find it to be a very fine variety.

One of the things that most made an impression on me when talking with Ralph Moore was his remarkable enthusiasm for his work. He has the excitement of a teenager when talking about his recent hybrids, and plans for the future! I remember asking him what advice he would give to a hybridizer starting a breeding program, and he said: (paraphrasing) "Keep your eyes open to possibility, and don't become so focused on a single goal that you don't see other wonderful things evolving around you." (This is what he calls "The Burning Bush Phenomonon"!) Wise words indeed! I will keep that in mind as I watch my own seedlings grow and bloom. To read more about Ralph Moore's early years of breeding with miniatures, see the online book by Mr. Moore, "All About Miniature Roses".

Finally I would like to include a most thoughtful quote from one of Ralph's friends, Kim Rupert:

"He will surprise you, as he does many, and did me. This is the most humble, honest and open man I've ever met. He is genuinely interested in what you think about the roses you are observing. He is not one to feel his experience and knowledge place him above any other rose lover. He "sees" the rose through your eyes, learning what he can from you, and making you feel as though you've just shared a secret he hadn't known. He's just as free with his observations and knowledge in return. He answers all questions fully, and without hesitation. Nothing is proprietary with him. Knowledge is fun, and must be shared with all who have an ear to listen. It is a sin there is no one to carry on his "dynasty", but he's sown his seeds of knowledge everywhere, and many have fallen on fertile ground. He is a treasure, and one you find it is easy to love."

Kim Rupert, 2001 Long time friend of Ralph Moore

My thanks to Ralph Moore, (and his manager Carolyn Supinger) for sharing so selflessly, the vast knowledge of his carreer in breeding roses and other plants! In Ralph Moore's own words, "The great wisdom to dream, the greater courage to act."

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