AgriLife Extension horticulture agent headed overseas

Writer: Steve Byrns, 325-653-4576, [email protected]
Contact: Allison Watkins, 325-659-6528, [email protected]

SAN ANGELO – The Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service horticulture agent for Tom Green County is heading to France.

Allison Watkins, has been invited to speak at the 17th World Rose Convention conducted by the World Federation of Rose Societies. The event is being held in Lyon, France, this year for the first time.

The convention, May 25 -June 5, is held every three years and encompasses all rose societies throughout the world, Watkins said.

Watkins will be giving a presentation, along with Dr. David Zlesak of the University of Wisconsin, on their Earth-Kind Rose trials.

Earth-Kind Landscaping, developed by Texas A&M AgriLife personnel, uses research-proven techniques to provide maximum garden and landscape enjoyment while preserving and protecting the environment, according to their website, http://aggie-horticulture.tamu.edu/earthkind/ . The objective is to combine the best of organic and traditional gardening and landscaping principles to create a horticultural system based on real-world effectiveness and environmental responsibility.

“Besides the actual presentation, I’ve been asked to be an ambassador for Earth-Kind landscaping,” Watkins said. “I hope to be able to talk to other rose enthusiasts about the environmentally responsible techniques and invite them to Texas to actually see all the work that has been done here to find rose cultivars that can thrive without fertilizers and pesticides.

“The Earth-Kind landscaping program is very near and dear to my heart. It’s a wonderful way to teach homeowners how to have a successful and beautiful landscape while also protecting the environment. It’s also research-based and scientific, which makes it very special.”

Rose varieties named to the Earth-Kind list are tested for hardiness under a number of situations. That testing regime is what has led Watkins to France.

She said her trip stems from her four-year rose varietal research project planted in San Angelo’s Kirby Park. The test plot consists of  four each of 20 rose cultivars; 80 plants total.

“We planted them with no soil amendments and they never receive any fertilizer or pesticides,” she said. “After getting established, they receive very little supplemental water. I go out once a month to take data, and at the end of the four year-trial, the data will be analyzed to see if any of the cultivars can be promoted as an Earth-Kind rose.

“The City Parks Department has been a huge supporter in this project by letting me use a large plot of their park land, and the Concho Valley Master Gardeners have given tremendous support, both financially and with their labor.”

Information on the convention’s website can be found at: https://agrilifetoday.tamu.edu/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/LyonRoses2015-July2014.pdf . The site also states the World Federation of Rose Societies is an organization representing the views of more than 100,000 rosarians from 39 nations. Some 600 delegates are expected to attend the event.

“I am grateful and honored beyond words to be able to have this experience,” Watkins said. “It is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me. It would not be possible for me to go without help from the Concho Valley Master Gardeners, the San Angelo Garden Club and other garden clubs throughout West Texas. They have all provided the funding necessary for the cost of the trip, and I am humbled by their generosity.”