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By Emily Barnby
Plant-swapping roses, daylilies, and daffodils doesn't sound like a typical day
job. But David Zeller, a Huntsville horticulturist, needed a way to landscape the
city. As an employee of the Parks Department in the 70s, he had little budget to
purchase plants. Instead, he asked people for a few canna lilies and daylilies from
their gardens. From this, he met others and started swapping plants.
Now, this "informal network of plant-traders" propagate the plants they find
to share the wealth, David explains. These freely growing, old-fashioned plants
are super hardy and exactly what they need, especially when water conservation
and a maintainable landscape are a concern. The work is often trial-and-error.
If certain plants don't succeed, then enthusiasts try to reintroduce them.
Sometimes, they are forced to back off, scratch their heads, and try again at
another place or time.
The Tale of Old Blush
The story behind one of Huntsville's most lovely floral accoutrements began
at an 1850s homestead. Years ago, Huntsville city officials decided to build a
new post office on the site of an old plantation. Before the 1850s-style Greek-
revival house was moved, David and fellow plant-swapper, James Patton, gained
permission to scout the site. Behind the back of the house, David spied a shrub,
covered and smothered by an invasive honeysuckle. Pulling the honeysuckle
away revealed a suffering and unidentifiable old rose. He dug it up, brought it
back, gave it a little TLC, and it ended up being the most beautiful China rose.
Research revealed that clipper ships brought this beautiful flower from China to
the States in the 1850s. "Somehow," he says, "this old China rose made its way
to Huntsville, Texas, and it had been flowering at the back of the house for who-
knows-how-many years, just waiting to be rediscovered." He planted the rose,
named Huntsville Old Blush, in his yard, and, when it thrived, he passed it to
his plant-swap partners. He's been passing it on to friends for years, and they've
planted it all over town. "It illustrates how wonderful old plants can be and how
fun it is to find them," he emphasizes. Old Blush is hardy and "profusely blooms
all year and doesn't have the fungus and insect pests like modern roses."
Texas Rose Rustlers
Also enjoying this floral scavenger hunt are the Texas Rose Rustlers, an early
group with a mission to seek, find, and identify neglected vintage roses, growing
at old house-sites and cemeteries. In fact, their founding and still current
member, Mike Shoup, owns the lovely Rose Emporium in Independence,
Texas. He would be the first to say the Rustlers provide rose-enthusiasts with
information and opportunities to get involved in their own floral quests.
By Any Other Name
Huntsville's landscape blooms brighter because
people aren't afraid to get their hands dirty
For plant-swapping or
Texas Rose Rustlers
information, visit www.
texasroserustlers.com.
To see the picturesque
roses, courtesy of Mike
Shoup, visit the Rose
Emporium at 10000
FM 50, outside
Independence, Texas.
979.836.5548,
roses@weareroses.com,
or www.antiquerose-
emporium.com.
Tuesday­ Friday 10am­6pm Saturday 10am­2pm
Call 936-291-5422 www.TheWynneHome.com
1428 Eleventh Street, Huntsville, Texas 77340
You are invited to experience art
exhibits, tours of the historic home,
classes and workshops, pottery studio,
special events, plus meeting and event
space. Your gateway to the Huntsville
Cultural District.
Sam Houston State University
A Member of The Texas State University System.
1836 Sam Houston Ave. · Huntsville, TX 77340
936.294.1832 · www.samhoustonmemorialmuseum.com
Hours: Tues-Sat 9am-4:30pm
Sunday Noon-4:30pm · Monday CLOSED
Smither Family B&B Reservations:
Log onto www.airB&B.com
Local Call: 936.581.5577 or 936.662.5250
Address: 1108-A 11th St., Huntsville, TX 77340
Located: Upstairs across from the Courthouse between
Sam Houston Ave. and University Ave.
Room rates vary, weekly and weekend rates. Long term stay rates available.
Self serve breakfast including coffee and tea.
Tnjuifs Gbnjmz
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Njtt Opsnb Gfmefs Ifoefstpo
Artist, Teacher, Flapper New York City circa 1920
The family called her Sister...
Come enjoy your room overlooking
downtown Huntsville at a family
heritage site and see her influence
within our family of Texas pioneers,
artists and collectors.
Tnjuifs Gbnjmz
Cfe boe Csfblgbtu
Njtt Opsnb Gfmefs Ifoefstpo
Artist, Teacher, Flapper New York City circa 1920
The family called her Sister...
Come enjoy your room overlooking
downtown Huntsville at a family
heritage site and see her influence
within our family of Texas pioneers,
artists and collectors.