Happy New Year!

The New Year is a time to take stock, look back, celebrate successes and set new goals. Der Rosenmeister began like many businesses as a dream. We started selling roses from the driveway of our old home in downtown Ithaca in the spring of 2003. Since then we moved to a three acre parcel just outside of the city limits, built a 50’ hoop house, planted extensive display beds and increased our collection to well over 300 varieties of cold hardy roses, both old and new. Last summer, we purchased a misting bench, installed roll up sides on our hoophouse for better ventilation, and installed a hundred foot long tunnel of arches for climbing and rambling roses. We were lucky enough to add many varieties of very rare, old roses from Cliff Orent’s collection, EuroDesert Roses, as he dissolved his nursery. We are in the midst of redesigning the display beds and our website to better serve your needs and to reflect our mission of preserving cold hardy roses for the future.

The past year has been a good one, though challenging. The economy has impacted buying habits. Consumers don’t have as much money for the “extras” like roses. But in these times, many of you have realized how important it is to enjoy simple pleasures, like appreciating the beauty and fragrance of roses you grow yourself and have purchased some for your gardens.

This past year, many rose nurseries across the country have either folded, declared bankruptcy or are in the process of closing. We are running out of sources in the United States to expand our collection. Regulations are tightening for importing roses from Europe. Fortunately, we had focused our efforts in the past few years on the acquiring climbers and ramblers that had not been available in North America. This year, we will be ramping up their production to bring them to you.

We don’t sell the varieties found at the big box stores or at local nurseries. Our roses are selected with cold hardiness, vigor, and beauty in mind. Each one has unique qualities that make it worth growing. We look forward to seeing you here this spring and summer.

Wishing you a year of peace, health, happiness and roses.