Ralph  Moore left us on Monday, September 14, 2009. 

I find it hard to accept that we'll never again turn off the freeway in Visalia, park the RV by that gorgeous 'Linda Campbell' and walk through that old, green-painted screen door, into what felt like a more gracious time.

There will be no more Moore poetry, and no more Moore Roses.  No more gatherings in the nursery. 

His work is done.  He has, at last, gone to join his sweetheart, life partner, and wife, Ann. 

The "Father of The Modern Miniature Rose" leaves us,  having accomplished extraordinary things, in an extraordinary life.  His creations included Miniature Roses of all sizes, forms and colors –madly striped and streaked Miniatures, Mossed Miniatures, fragrant Miniatures, miniature Roses that climb, and Miniature Roses that drape gracefully from hanging baskets.  His Modern Shrub Roses included remarkable rugosa hybrids.  His climber are roses for real gardens.  His fascination with R. hulthemia gave us his "Halo" Miniature Roses.  A flirtation with 'Crested Moss' gave us modern, remontant roses with cresting once seen only in antique roses. 

His work inspired many, and it's appropriated that other hybridizers will – as he planned – pick up the tools he has set down, and continue his life-long experiment with roses. 

Ralph Moore was 102 years old, when he left us, and in his remarkable life, he had contributed more to both humanity and roses than most people could dream of.  With all of his accomplishments, he lived and died in the town where he was born and raised, continuing a tradition of pioneer spirit he learned from his family.  I feel incredibly fortunate to have known him.


Jeri Jennings