The Brownells: American Rose Pioneers

Free and Open to the Public

Co-Sponsored by:

The Little Compton Garden Club

The Little Compton Historical Society

The Sogkonate Garden Club

In the early 1900s, Walter and Josephine Brownell of Little Compton became trail blazers in the early development of winter hardy and disease resistant roses.  Learn how a young attorney and his wife, and later their sons, introduced more than 80 varieties of roses over 35 years.  These became known as Sub-Zero roses and were sold throughout the United States from the 1930s through the 1960s.  This presentation follows the Brownells’ pioneer development of sustainable roses in Little Compton, RI and explains how they successfully created varieties with a distinctly American character to satisfy the unmet needs of the colder regions of the country.  A century later, Sub-Zero roses remain popular and their legacy continues to influence contemporary rose breeders.

This lecture will be held on Tuesday, March 19 at 7 PM at the United Congregational Church in Little Compton, RI.  The address there is 1 Commons St, Little Compton RI, 02837.