Ralph Moore has been a friend of mine for probably 33 years.  When I first learned about miniature roses, I just couldn't believe how unique and beautiful they were.  I first bought minis from my local nursery, Stockings, just down the road from me.

Then I found out about Sequoia nursery and got a copy of their annual mini rose catalog. 

I remember 1976 in particular, because Ralph introduced Stars 'n' Stripes, the first striped miniature rose, which was a mini climber.  He introduced it to honor the U.S. Bicentennial anniversary.  Wow, a striped rose, and a miniature one was even better!  I still have my original Stars 'n' Stripes mini growing in a 5 gal. pot after all these years!

My biggest thrill was the first time I actually saw Ralph Moore in person.  It was either at one of our annual NCNH district conferences, or at one of our SCCRS meetings.  Ralph always brought minis with him when he went on speaking engagements.  I believe that is when I started my reputation of being an infamous rose purchaser, no restraint or control,   i.e.  Rose-alcoholic!

My friend, Donna Hunter from Rohnert Park knew Ralph, and she introduced me to him personally.  I remember it was in Santa Rosa at the district conference.  He was introducing the mini rose Earthquake, and he had a plant that he gave to her.  Well, I was hooked and the rest is history.  Donna helped Ralph name the miniature rose Softee because it was thornless.  She suggested Soft Touch, but that name had already been taken, so it became Softee.

Ralph was so fun to visit and talk to!  He was so knowledgeable and interesting.  He always wanted to show you his greenhouses and show some of his potential rose introductions.  It was especially fun to go into his seedling greenhouses, and help him place markers on ones that I liked.  The trouble was I liked them all, so I wasn't much help in paring down the selections!

Over the years, I have made many, many trips to Sequoia Nursery and to visit Ralph every chance that I could.  He always made his visitors feel special.  As we would walk through the greenhouses, he would snip roses and the present his visitors with a little mini bouquet to take home.

I think at one time or another I have grown almost all of his miniature roses that he introduced.  They are so unique and pretty!  Ralph would sometimes send me his new introductions before they were released, or send me a test rose and let him know how it grew in my yard.  It was so special to receive surprise boxes from Ralph!

I will truly miss Ralph Moore, but I am very thankful that he lived until age 102, and could still hybridize new roses, and continue to share rose info and stories!  The rose world won't be the same with out him, but it will always be a world where he made huge contributions and will continue to be a better place because of him.  Ralph Moore will always be in my heart, and his roses will always be in my garden.  Love you Ralph and God Bless!


Terry Hart,  26 SEP 2009