Friends of the Arboretum Lecture

"Successful Rose Growing for Southern Gardeners"
David V. B. Pike, President, Witherspoon Rose Culture

  • Thursday, January 21, 2010 – 7:30 pm–9:00 pm

Take a journey through a year in the life of a rose. David will take you through the bed preparation and planting process and give you all of his secrets in keeping your roses looking healthy and beautiful for years to come. Learn from the quintessential rose professional. Be inspired to grow the nation's favorite flower, the rose! And watch his hands on demonstration of that sometimes prickly job of pruning roses.

David Pike Biography
In the rose business for 30 years, David Pike has been involved in all aspects of rose care, rose sales, rose consulting and rose judging. As president of Witherspoon Rose Culture, a third-generation rose business based in Durham, North Carolina, for 57 years, David oversees a staff of 50 employees, and more than 70,000 rose bushes in over 2,400 rose gardens throughout North Carolina.

David joined Witherspoon Rose Culture in 1979 in an entry-level position. He learned the business figuratively and literally "from the ground up." He assumed the position of president of Witherspoon Rose Culture in 1983. David's continuing efforts and long term vision for the company have helped bring it to its present state of growth and success. Under his leadership, the company now offers nationwide shipping of rose bushes in addition to local rose sales as well as rose garden installation and maintenance programs.

As a frequent speaker at garden clubs, rose societies, gardening shows, and on Raleigh's WPTF "Weekend Gardener" radio show, David has shared his love of roses and how to properly care for them with thousands of rose lovers. David has been featured in numerous local and national print media, including Southern Living. The "Gardens at Witherspoon" have been given the official designation of "Public Garden" awarded by All-America Rose Selections. The American Rose Society acknowledged David as a consulting rosarian. David's vast experience with roses took him to The Netherlands where he was invited to judge in the World Rose Trials in The Hague in 1999.

Born in Martinsville, Virginia, David graduated from Campbell College. He is a very active member of his church. He and co-owner wife, Rhonda, have a son, Taylor, who is very active in the business as director of corporate development. They also have two daughters, Lindsey and Mary Alice, as well as a daughter-in-law, Courtney. Granddaughters, Brooke and Natalie are treasured blossoms in David's life. When asked about his favorite rose, David always says, "the one that's blooming."

Cost
Free for Friends of the JC Raulston Arboretum members, NC State University students (with ID), and Department of Horticultural Science faculty and staff, all others $5.00.
Registration
Advance registration is not available.
Location
Ruby C. McSwain Education Center, JC Raulston Arboretum at NC State University, 4415 Beryl Road, Raleigh, North Carolina.
Directions
Need directions? Click here.
Parking
Free parking is available at the JC Raulston Arboretum and along Beryl Road.
Questions
Please call (919) 513-7005 for more information about this lecture.