A 'Mike Lowe Rose' by Any Other Name Wouldn't Be So Special

Gary Dallas-Koziol was point man for the Mike Lowe rose collection, which was selling like fragrant, floral hotcakes.

"We still have some left, but they're going fast," said Dallas-Koziol of the roses gathered by Lowe from across the country, which he cultivated and bred. His heritage and antique roses helped put Nashua on the map before his death in 2009.

Dallas-Koziol explained that Lowe's family was kind enough to unearth several of Lowe's prized rose plants from his estate and pot them up for the Nashua Garden Club's weekend sale. 

According to club member Colleen Blanda, the perfect mix of sunshine and warm weather brought gardeners out in force, who were lining up before 8 a.m. for a shot at prime plantings, making this year's sale the most successful to date.

"Our members outdid themselves this year, digging up and dividing a great selection of their perennials to share at the sale.  Some also grew vegetable plants or annuals for the sale.  They also donated themed gift baskets which were raffled off - that was a big hit.  We had just a few plants leftover, and all of Mike Lowe's roses found new homes," Blanda said.

Mayor Donnalee Lozeau was among those who stopped by for a piece of the plant sale action. She purchased garlic chives and red raspberries, mostly to keep her resident garden woodchuck happy, she said.

The plant sale is the club's main fundraiser, with proceeds used to bring in speakers for monthly meetings, and to support other club activities which promote horticulture and beautification projects throughout the city.  

Nashua Garden Club will hold its next monthly meeting on June 5 from 7 to 9 p.m. at First Baptist Church, 121 Manchester St., Nashua. The program,  "Seasons in the Border," will be presented by Deanne Fortnam of Deanne Art, and include images of her flower borders. She will also discuss signature perennials that are focal plants throughout the changing seasons.

You can learn more at her website: http://deanneart.com.