Most rosarians of the world today will probably never meet another man like Ralph Moore. No other person has had the longevity, perseverance, dedication and passion to create the varieties of roses and other plants that Mr. Moore did. His rose breeding was important to him but he always had time to visit with guests at his nursery to 'show and tell' his newest creation in hybridizing the "perfect" rose.

Mr. Moore's passion for roses began early in his life. He wrote in the Spring 2007, Minirama, 'My Journey 1907-2007', "I also liked the small pink buds on the plant of climbing 'Cecile Brunner' that grew next door (to his home when he was a small child). So it set me to thinking (dreaming). Why not make other roses like this but in other colors. So the dream of a miniature rose was born."

Mr. Moore spent his entire life searching for the combination of crosses that would create the perfect rose-that was his motivation throughout life. Hopefully, the perseverance, dedication, passion and dreaming that Mr. Moore has left with us will be continued so all his accomplishments can be enjoyed by future generations.


Photo: Ralph Moore's 102nd birthday. Photo courtesy Linda Burg.