New for 2002 from Sequoia Nursery and Ralph Moore's breeding program are three Hybrid Bracteatas. The results of thirty years of development, each one is unique. 'Tangerine Jewel' (which is, as you can probably guess from the name, orange), 'Star Dust' (which has a very double white bloom with petals that become quilled or pointed as the flower matures to give a kind of star effect), and 'Precious Dream' (which is an old-fashioned-looking pink).

The Species Rose R. bracteata is evergreen, that is, it doesn't drop its leaves at least in warm climates. One of its great attributes is that its foliage is immune to blackspot. It was discovered in China in the late 1800s and is known as the 'McCartney Rose' (not to be confused with Meilland's 'The McCartney Rose') in honor of the English Ambassador to China at that time who brought it back with him on his return to England.

There's something special for you Amateur Hybridizers, too. You won't find this rose in Sequoia's Catalog or Supplemental List. This item appears in the Winter/Spring 2002 Issue of MINIRAMA (available by subscription from Sequoia Nursery). Sequoia has a new hybrid musk called STW-1 that Mr. Moore thinks you might like to include in your breeding programs. It blooms in clusters of 5 to 20 pink-to-red semi-double flowers which are similar to 'Charlotte Armstrong' and it will set hips in the fall.

But Ralph Moore and Sequoia Nursery are more than just Miniature Roses. They carry a wide range of other types of roses as well and these can be found in Sequoia's Supplemental List. Mr. Moore has also been working with Crepe Myrtles which are summer-flowering and do well in hot weather. There are five varieties in the catalog and their names give a good indication of not only what color they are, but also where they come from: 'Sequoia Red', 'Sequoia White', 'Sequoia Pink', 'Sequoia Lavender', and 'Sequoia Near-Blue'.

Ralph Moore continues to amaze, to delight, and to inspire us.