In the Spring of 1987, the owners of Spurwing Rose Farm, Norman and Val Yeats were introduced to Esther Geldenhuys, the President of ROSA. She agreed to address a group of rose enthusiasts at Spurwing. After her persuasive address, the Midlands Rose Society was formed. The first office bearers were Norman Yeats Chairman, Val Yeats Secretary and Reiche Plunkett Treasurer. Until the Yeats moved to Pietermaritzburg in 1990 the Rose meetings were held at Spurwing with luncheons and teas organized by Val Yeats.
The first big function hosted by our Society was when the National Convention was held in 2000 in Durban. The MRS held a Gala Luncheon for the delegates at Spurwing.
The MRS was honoured to host their first National Convention in 2006 –A Rose Affair, under the Chairmanship of Debbie Battershill. It was held in conjunction with the Sunday Tribune Garden Show. The late Des Wright was installed as ROSA President following Sheenagh Harris. The guests of Honour were WFRS President, Dr Gerald Meylan and his wife, Christina, Pierre Richardier from the House of Meilland in France and the Barni family from Barni’s Rose Growers in Italy.
In 2014 we hosted our next National Convention, The Magical Midlands Mystery Tour, in Hilton and the Midlands of Natal. This proved to be another successful National Convention.
After many years, we reintroduced our Rose Show in October 2015 with the help of AP Smith, an accredited ROSA judge. This has become an extremely popular annual event.
We opened our fabulous MRS Heritage Garden in October 2017. Visitors are most welcome to visit the garden. Please contact us for further information in this regard.
At present our Society has just over 180 members and our Subscription is R150 per annum
In 2025 the Midlands Rose Society was proud to host the 21st ROSA National Convention, themed: “More Magic in the Midlands” at Hebron Haven Hotel. This memorable event was graced by Sushil Prakash, President of the World Federation of Rose Societies, who traveled from India to serve as our distinguished guest speaker. We were also fortunate to have Sally Earl and Sandra Trethewey share their expertise as guest speakers. The convention brought together members from the Western Cape Rose Society, the Knysna & Garden Route Rose Society, The Heritage Rose Society of South Africa, as well as our own society and Rosaria Algoria from Uruguay as well as numerous other local visitors. Over the course of the event, attendees enjoyed meaningful connections and spent quality time exploring the beautiful gardens scattered throughout the Midlands.
Chairperson: Gail Birss
Secretary: Karin Braithwaite
Treasurer: Bronwyn Roe-Scott
Contact Details: midlandsrosesociety@gmail.com
Find us on Facebook.
WE host functions throughout the year which includes our Annual General Meeting which takes place in early June. Functions vary from year to year like rose pruning, a summer pruning, floral displays, visits to beautiful gardens that are not open to the public, Christmas floral demonstrations, special guest speakers, Open Gardens at our Heritage Rose garden and Rose Shows.
We used to be part of the Garden Show for many years and usually won Gold medals. Unfortunately, the garden Show is no longer held.
Our Society offer our members great discounts on many products related to growing roses and Atlantic fertilizer not only offers all Rose Societies discount prices but also sponsor fertilizer for our Heritage Garden at the Garlington Estate in Hilton. This garden is now well established, and we have over 139 different varieties of Heritage roses in the garden as well as several yet to be identified roses. We often host functions in the garden.
Members receive a monthly newsletter with advice on growing roses and other interesting articles. Members are encouraged to ask questions as well as to ask us to write certain articles of interest. We also have a WhatsApp group to remind members of important information and functions.
Most importantly, we are not an elitist Society, but are here to LEARN, to SHARE ideas to GROW beautiful rose. We are members of our society because WE LOVE ROSES.
You can find us on Face Book where we post photographs regularly as well as The Rose of the month and advertise upcoming events.
Tribute to Gail Birss
Dear MRS Members,
It is with deep humility and genuine gratitude that I step into the role of Chairperson of the Midlands Rose Society, succeeding our remarkable Chairlady, Gail Birss. To follow someone who has given so much of her heart, time and vision to our society is both an honour and a responsibility I do not take lightly.
Gail’s legacy is a living one. Together with Gill Wilson and Jackie Kalley she co-founded our cherished Heritage Rose Garden at Garlington Estate in 2017 – now a thriving sanctuary of more than 140 historic and “found” roses that preserves a precious part of our botanical heritage and brings joy and education to members and visitors alike. Under her steady leadership the Society grew into a vibrant community of nearly 200 rose lovers, re-established our much-loved annual Rose Show, and successfully hosted the
2025 ROSA National Convention, welcoming rose enthusiasts from across South Africa and abroad to the Midlands. Her passion for sharing knowledge, organising memorable events, and fostering a welcoming spirit of “love roses, learn together, share generously” has strengthened and inspired us all. It is fitting that she and Gill Wilson were honoured as Honorary Life Members at last year’s AGM.
On behalf of the committee and every member of the Midlands Rose Society, I offer Gail our heartfelt thanks for her years of selfless dedication and for the strong, beautiful foundation she has left us. As we move forward we carry her spirit with us -one of quiet passion, generous sharing and deep love for the rose. Gail, we honour you and are profoundly grateful. I am committed to nurturing this legacy while bringing fresh energy to our shared purpose, and I hope you will remain closely involved as we continue to grow together. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
Barry Slabbert – Chairman of the Midlands Rose Society
MRS AGM Highlights – 11 June 2026
Our Annual General Meeting took place on Thursday 11 June at the Methodist Church in Hilton, starting at 9:30 for a 10 o’clock start. It was wonderfully well attended, with a real buzz in the room and a few new members joining us for the first time. A warm welcome to all of you – we hope you quickly feel at home in our friendly rose family and enjoy all the benefits that come with being part of the Midlands Rose Society.
Karin Braithwaite handled the apologies for those who couldn’t make it, and then Gail Birss delivered her Chairman’s report for the year. It was genuinely uplifting to hear everything the Society achieved – from our garden projects and events to the strong community spirit we’ve built together. Adee Varney gave a lovely, heartfelt speech honouring Gail for her outstanding leadership as Chairlady, and it was a fitting tribute to her wonderful reign. Our Treasurer, Bronwyn Roe-Scott, followed with a clear and encouraging financial report that left us all feeling positive about where we stand. I had the pleasure of presenting a talk on “Big Ideas for Small Gardens”, showing how beautifully heritage and modern roses can work together to create a fresh, contemporary feel. I shared three different garden designs, and we had a lively question-and-answer session with some fun impromptu designing happening live on the whiteboard. It was a great way to end the morning on an inspiring note.
On the committee side, we are sorry to say farewell to two valued members. Bernice Porrit has resigned after years of wise guidance and selfless support — thank you, Bernice, your contribution has been deeply appreciated and will be missed. Elizabeth Thornton-Dibs has also stepped down; thank you, Elizabeth, for your passion and dedication to the Society. No new members were appointed to the committee this year, but we look forward to continuing the good work together.
It was a memorable morning, and I’m excited about the year ahead with all of you.
Yours in Roses
Barry
MRS Atlantic Fertiliser Event
At our March function, Midlands Rose Society welcomed Louwrens Bosch from Atlantic Fertiliser, who was our guest speaker. The event was hosted at Blackwoods Home of Gardening, and Mango Moon our supplier of Atlantic was also at the function. It was a great occasion with our Society, Atlantic Fertiliser, Blackwoods and Mango Moon all working together which resulted in a most enjoyable morning.
Louwrens gave a most interesting and informative presentation, about the importance of our soil, and all about the ingredients used to produce Atlantic Fertiliser. His use of examples, photographs and his wonderful sense of humour kept us all interested throughout his presentation, and we all learnt so much. Everyone at the function, where given samples of all Atlantic products as well as bags of their Flower and Fruit to a few lucky people .
Atlantic Fertiliser has sponsored all the fertilizer for our Heritage Rose Garden since 2017.
Our grateful thanks to Louwrens for his presentation, Blackwoods for hosting us and supplying all the tea/ coffee and eats , Mango Moon for a wonderful Hamper and for being part of a wonderful team.
ROSES in the MIST
We were very pleased to welcome Halmar Taschner to our Midlands Rose Society on 1st February. Elizabeth Thornton- Dibb hosted us at Beaulah Rose Farm where the mist came down and spoilt the view across the valley. This also prevented many members from attending as the mist was so thick, one could hardly see your hand in front of your face.
Halmar gave us a very informative talk on caring for our roses from planting, spraying, fertilizing and demonstrated summer pruning. We are hoping that he will be visiting us again in the near future.
Beautiful Farm Garden Visit
Midlands Rose Society members were able to visit Susan v Zuilekom’s beautiful farm garden in the Mooi River area. We shared lifts which made it easier as it was quite a long drive on very wet farm roads, but the journey was well worth the trip. Susan has over 500 roses in her garden but unfortunately with all this rain, the roses were over. We will have to visit again to see this garden at its best. I have included a photograph of her garden in full flush.
Susan won 1st and 2nd Princess in this year’s ROSA Annual, and she had already planted her 15 rose bushes which Ludwig had sponsored for the winners. Her garden and her home are filled with so many creative and beautiful treasured items that she has collected and made over the years.
Susan is the new Chairperson of the Heritage Rose Society of South Africa, and we were thrilled to be invited to visit this very special garden.
MRS AGM
Annual General Meeting
Our Annual General meeting was held on 30 th June and attended by just over 50 members. Members once again brought plants to sell, and money received will go towards the maintenance of our Heritage Rose Garden. Barry Slabbert was nominated as a new committee member. Gill Wilson and Gail Birss were both made Honorary Life Members of the Midlands Rose Society.
Pruning Demonstration
Our pruning demonstration was hosted in the garden of Val Frankish this year. Barry Slabbert drove all the way from Ladysmith to do the demonstration, and each member was given a wonderful booklet with such interesting information about all things roses by Barry. After weeks of lovely cool but sunny days, the day of the demonstration the weather changed, and we had rain, and it was really cold. Unfortunately, many members cancelled but those of us who attended learnt so much from Barry as he showed us how to prune different classes of roses.
End of the year function
We ended off our busy year with a visit to Wayne and Shaon Devitt’s garden in the Rosetta area. The large farm garden is filled with 4000 roses, most propagated by Wayne.
Members had a most enjoyable time wandering around the garden which borders onto a river which makes the garden and the view across the valley, extra special. It was a lovely way to end our year. We wish all our ‘rose’ friends Merry Christmas.
21st ROSA National Convention
The Midlands Rose Society hosted the 21st ROSA National Convention over the weekend of 16-18th October at Hebron Haven Hotel . Delegates from the Western Cape Rose Society,Knysna & Garden Route Rose Society and the Heritage Rose Society attended the event as well as members of the Midlands Rose Society. We were honoured to host the President of the World Federation of Rose Societies, Sushil Prakash to the Convention as well as Rosaria Algoria from Uruguay.
Our floral arranging members who used to produce award-winning exhibits at the Garden shows in Pietermaritzburg, pulled out all the stops and created some magnificent displays, including the Howick Falls, Dairy Farming and others, filled the Conference centre and the hotel with roses.
Formalities got underway with Annual General meetings and in the evening a Meet and Greet evening where delegates and members met the President, Sushil Prakash who presented an interesting talk on Roses in Bhutan.
The Speaker’s Morning was attended by 145 people. Our Mayor, Chris Pappas opened the Convention and introduced his grandmother, Susan van Zuilekom who had given him a rosy tie for the occasion. Tanya Visser had to cancel but the President stepped in and we were able to hear his talk on the life of roses from 3000 years ago to modern times in Asia. Sally Earl and Sandra Trethwey also gave great presentations.
At 1230 , we boarded the bus to visit 3 beautiful gardens: Gordon Stuarts Garden, Gill Wilsons Garden and our Heritage garden. On the Saturday, we were back on the bus and visited Brahman Hills where we were met with a glass of Bubbly. Liz Steyn, mother of the designer of the garden, Tim Steyn, graciously took us on a guided tour of the garden. We ended off in the restaurant where the staff of Brahman Hills presented Sushil Prakash and Rosario with the newly published book on Brahman Hills. Then it was off to see William and Claire Meyer’s magnificent garden in Mooi River where we were served lunch. Our last garden was in the Dargle Valley, Millford Farm gardened by Kate Baynes.
We ended the day with the Gala dinner where we were entertained by Sarah Harrison. As President of ROSA, I awarded the Zoe Gilbert Award to Alta Nel from the Western Cape Rose Society and the President’s Trophy to Cathy Esterman.
Gail Birss
MRS Members Favourite Roses
MIDLANDS ROSE SOCIETY asked members throughout KZN to name 4 or 5 roses that grow well in their area and to also name their favourite Rose.
Bernice: HILTON
Deloitte & Touche: King David: Ashley Callie; Clarens Centenary
Favourite: Isidingo
Sally: HILTON
Garden & Home; Flower Power; The Grannies ( all of them) Boscobel; General Scablikine
Favourite: Gruss an Aachen
Elizabeth: HILTON
King David; Free & Loyal; Just Joey; Roberto Capucci
Karin: HOWICK
Gin & Tonic; Marsala
Favourite: Smell me
Gill: HOWICK
Deloitte & Touche; Ashley Callie; Pearl of Bedfordview: Sally Holmes
Favourite: Lyn Keppler
Gail: HOWICK
Garden Queen; Roberto Capucci; The Grannies ( all of them) Comte de Chambord; Manuela Crabbia
Favourite: Boscobel
Margie: HAYFIELDS ( drier part of Maritzburg)
Duet; Deloitte & Touche; Summer of 75; Amarula Profusion
Favourite: Cramoisi Superiore
Wayne: ROSETTA
Perfumed Breeze; Nahema; Pink Purple; Marshmallow Panarosa
Favourite: Pompadour
Susan: MOOI RIVER
Garden Queen; Ashley Callie; Nelson Mandela; Boscobel; Lichfield Angel
Favourite: Sophie Rochas
Shireen: DURBAN
Natalie Douglas; South Africa; Boscobel; Grootendorst Pink and FJ;
Favourite: Evelyn
Val: QUEENBURGH
Black Madonna; Just Whips; Pride of England; Marist Gold; Thuli Madonsela
Favourite: Peace of Vereeniging
Cathy: UNDERBURG
General Gallieni; Duet; Just Joy; Roberto Capucci
Favourite: Free & Loyal
Barry: LADYSMITH
Red & Fragrant; Garden & Home; St Ursula; Gin & Tonic; Clocolan
Favourite: Sophies Rochas
Piggly Wiggly Event
The Midlands Rose Society hosted a function at Piggly Wiggly in the Midlands, where 60 members and visitors enjoyed time together learning more about growing beautiful roses.
Members heard about the advantages of being a member of a Rose Society, the correct planting of a rose bush in a pot by Gill Wilson and Linda from Tarr Roses gave a very interesting and informative talk on how to care for your roses throughout the year.
