At Fraser Valley Rose Farm, sharing my passion for roses has always been a personal journey. Whether through videos, articles, or hands-on tutorials, I’ve tried to make rose growing more accessible and enjoyable for gardeners at every level. But as much as I love diving deep into rose care, I’ve realized that no single voice can represent the vast and fascinating world of roses.
That’s where RosaPedia.com comes in. This new site isn’t just an extension of Fraser Valley Rose Farm—it’s designed to grow beyond the boundaries of my own collection or experiences. RosaPedia is a collaborative project, where the voices of rose lovers, experts, and community members come together to build something I couldn’t achieve alone.
Why RosaPedia?
Fraser Valley Rose Farm reflects my own garden and the plants I grow here in the mild climate of Canada’s west coast. That works well for local customers and those who enjoy following my perspective on rose growing, but there are limits to how much ground I can personally cover. RosaPedia was born from the idea that roses deserve a more expansive platform—one that isn’t tied to the practical realities of running a nursery or promoting specific plants for sale. Here’s my quick intro video to the site:
RosaPedia allows us to shine a light on roses I don’t (or can’t) grow, with photos and insights contributed by gardeners around the world. It’s a place where experts like Paul Zimmerman, Kimberley Dean, Teresa Byington, and many others can share their knowledge alongside everyday rose lovers, creating a resource rich in experience and diversity.
One of the most exciting aspects of RosaPedia is the chance for visitors to contribute their own rose photos, comments, and articles. Whether it’s showcasing a beloved variety from your garden or sharing tips on how a rose performs in your region, the site thrives on this collective knowledge.
What Can You Find on RosaPedia Right Now?
RosaPedia is already growing quickly, with hundreds of rose varieties listed and new additions being made daily. For each rose, visitors can leave comments and upload photos, helping others see how different varieties perform in real-world garden conditions. This input from multiple growers helps paint a fuller picture of what to expect from a rose—how it grows, how it blooms, and how it handles various climates and challenges.
Beyond rose listings, RosaPedia also features a map pinpointing local rose gardens, specialty nurseries, and rose societies. There’s something special about seeing a rose in person before deciding to grow it, and this map aims to connect visitors with locations where roses are on full display. Whether you’re looking for inspiration, a specific plant, or simply a beautiful garden to visit, the map makes it easier to find roses nearby.
We’re building out a growing library of educational articles on rose care, covering everything from pruning techniques to disease management. And because RosaPedia isn’t tied to selling plants, the focus can stay squarely on providing the best possible advice—whether it leads to a sale or not.
RosaPedia also features an AI-powered chatbot, trained using the site’s data and expert articles, ready to answer your rose and gardening questions. Whether you’re curious about the best pruning methods, need advice on selecting a rose for your climate, or want to troubleshoot a pest issue, the chatbot offers quick, reliable guidance drawn from the collective expertise available on the site. This tool makes it easier to find the information you need, enhancing your gardening experience with immediate, trustworthy answers.
Meet Our Contributors
RosaPedia brings together voices from across the rose-growing world, each with unique expertise and experiences to share.
- Paul Zimmerman – With decades of experience, Paul is a renowned authority on roses, specializing in antique, shrub, and David Austin varieties. He designs sustainable rose gardens for private and public spaces and consults internationally.
- Kimberley Dean – A Master Gardener and Consulting Rosarian from Southern Maryland, Kimberley shares over 30 years of organic rose care knowledge through her YouTube channel, The Rose Geek.
- Teresa Byington – Host of The Rose Chat Podcast, Teresa’s cottage garden boasts over 120 roses, blending heirlooms and modern varieties. Her work has been featured in Garden Gate, Midwest Living, and The American Rose Society. She introduced the award-winning rose, ‘Petite Peach.’
- Ben Hamilton Anderson – A professional landscaper, Ben specializes in wildlife-friendly, organic gardens. Based in the New Forest, UK, he shares English rose insights through social media and garden tutorials.
- Olga Carmody – A Master Gardener and YouTuber, Olga’s garden philosophy is rooted in harmony with nature. Born in Ukraine, she grew up surrounded by old roses, vegetables, and farm animals.
These contributors help shape RosaPedia into a diverse and rich resource, reflecting the full breadth of rose-growing traditions and techniques from around the world.
The Vision for RosaPedia
While RosaPedia is already a useful resource, it’s just getting started. Over time, we envision:
- A Comprehensive Rose Database – With hundreds of roses already listed, our goal is to create a relevant, up-to-date and mobile-friendly rose database, enriched by user contributions and expert insights.
- A Collaborative Space for Rose Lovers – We want RosaPedia to become a meeting point for the global rose-growing community. This means fostering a space where gardeners can share their experiences, whether by submitting photos, writing articles, or engaging in discussions on rose variety pages.
- A Practical Garden Companion – RosaPedia isn’t just about looking up roses; it’s about making better choices for your own garden. By offering real-world feedback and images, we hope to guide gardeners toward roses that will thrive in their specific conditions.
How You Can Get Involved
RosaPedia is built for rose lovers, and it will flourish with the input of its community. Whether you’re an expert or someone who just loves growing roses, there are many ways to take part:
- Contribute Photos and Comments – Growing a rose in your garden that deserves recognition? You can upload your photos and share your experiences directly on rose variety pages. Your input could help someone else choose their next favorite rose.
- Write Articles – If you’re passionate about a particular aspect of rose care or want to share insights into a rose variety you grow, consider writing for RosaPedia. We’re actively looking for contributions from rose enthusiasts.
- Explore and Share – Even if you don’t have photos to share yet, simply visiting RosaPedia, browsing the listings, and sharing the site with others helps the community grow.
Visit RosaPedia
RosaPedia is live now, and we invite you to explore what’s already there and become part of its growth.
Thank you for your continued support of Fraser Valley Rose Farm. RosaPedia is an exciting next step, and I can’t wait to see how this community-driven project grows in the months and years ahead.
