Celebrate roses at 76th annual Sacramento Rose Show

It’s time to celebrate spring – and smell the roses. (One contest depends on a lot of noses.)

On Saturday, April 27, the Sacramento Rose Society will host its 76th annual Sacramento Rose Show at Shepard Garden and Arts Center in McKinley Park. The show’s theme: “A Spring Walk in the Rose Garden.” Show hours are 1 to 4:30 p.m. Admission and parking are free.

Our roller-coaster spring weather has been challenging for rose growers (roses don’t like weather whiplash). But recent warm days should assure plenty of entries. See hundreds of blooms at their peak of beauty. You may even discover a new favorite rose variety.

Back this year is a flower fan favorite: The contest for “Most Fragrant Rose.” The public picks the winner among entries known to be particularly fragrant.

Society members will be on hand to answer questions about roses and rose horticulture. Got a mystery rose you’d like to know more about? Bring a sample or a photo.

Take some gorgeous flowers home, too; cut roses will be available for a suggested donation ($1 per stem, $10 for a dozen including a vase, while supply lasts).

Want to enter a rose in the show? Free entries are open to the public. The “Novice” category (for exhibitors who have never won a trophy in an accredited rose show) has slots for best hybrid tea or grandiflora (typically big single blooms) as well as seven other categories. Cut the rose with a long stem (preferably 12 inches or more) and plenty of foliage. Vases are provided. But arrive early. Entry deadline is 10 a.m.

In addition to exhibition roses, rose arrangements will be competing for top honors in the artistic division. Designs will be rosy interpretations of that “Spring Walk” theme, thanks to the Sacramento Floral Design Guild.

Shepard Center is located at 3330 McKinley Blvd., Sacramento, in McKinley Park.

Details: www.sacramentorosesociety.org.