About Sequoia Nursery

See the Ralph Moore Rose Garden in Visalia: Video of the ceremony now available!

Click here to read all about the dedication ceremony of May 29th, 2004 at the spectacular new Ralph Moore Rose Garden in downtown Visalia. Also, Ralph Moore's book of poems, entitled "Thoughts of Roses" has been published and is now available for purchase. Click here for more information.

Friends and admirers of Moore’s are constructing a rose garden in Veteran's Memorial Park on Main Street in his hometown of Visalia. The charming circular garden includes hedges of roses, a meandering path, a gazebo, benches, and many examples of Mr. Moore’s roses. Members of this volunteer committee include Don Stone, Alan George, Carolyn Suplinger, Burling Leong, Tom Link, Mary Hill, Norm Phillips, and Irene Lindsey.

Mr. Moore’s worldwide reputation comes from the hybridization techniques that he has perfected over his more than 60-year career. As one author said, “He has laid the groundwork for the breeding of roses for many years to come.” The official registration files maintained by the American Rose Society list more than 300 miniatures hybridized by Ralph Moore, plus numerous floribundas, hybrid teas, shrubs, ramblers, polyanthas and Old Garden Roses.

Visalia Parks and Recreation Foundation-Moore Rose Garden
P.O. Box 1032
Visalia, CA 93279

For more information on the Ralph Moore Rose Garden, contact Foundation Director, Leslie Caviglia, (559) 713-4599.

October 2003 News
Current photos of Mr. Moore at work in the greenhouse.
Click on the thumbnail photo to view the pictures.

Back in 1962 we celebrated our first 25 years devoted to the business of growing and originating roses. At that time we published a small souvenir booklet. In it we wrote as follows:

"Twenty-five years ago few people had heard of miniature roses, much less seen one. Rosa roulettii had only recently been discovered growing in a window garden in Switzerland. Hollander John de Vink saw its possibilities and began breeding on a limited scale. From his initial work came the miniature rose 'Tom Thumb'.

Ralph Moore at his nursery in Visalia, California "Other varieties soon followed but were slow in catching the public's fancy. The late Robert Pyle of the Conard-Pyle Company became interested in them and introduced a number of the better kinds into America.

At Right, Mr. Ralph Moore at Sequoia Nursery.

"Meanwhile the Spanish Civil War began and the famed rose hybridizer Pedro Dot became interested in miniatures. From Dot's crosses, Pyle chose 'Baby Gold Star', the first yellow. A number of Dot's other miniatures have become well known in Europe.

"Grower Ralph Moore of Visalia, California saw his first miniature rose, Rosa roulettii, in 1935. Soon thereafter he acquired plants of 'Tom Thumb' and 'Oakington Ruby'. His interest in miniatures grew but little was done at the time to develop new varieties in view of the limited market. A cross of one of Moore's seedlings with 'Tom Thumb' produced a new seedling destined to play an important role in future breeding programs. Using the new seedling, named "Zee", as the pollen parent, Mr. Moore has developed a number of varieties which have helped awaken interest in miniature roses."

"How did I get started with miniature roses? This is a question which has been asked numerous times, but there is really no clear answer. As far back as I can remember, even as a small child, I was interested in plants- all kinds, and especially roses.

"But the present story began in 1937 with $800, a few hundred rose bushes and an idea. Growing rose seedlings was not a new experience. I had started doing that back in the 1920's while in high school. In the Spring of 1927, I planted seeds gathered from a huge plant of Climbing 'Cecile Brunner' which grew next door. Making planned crosses was still in the future. But from this crop of seedlings came several interesting plants which were to stir my interest in small roses.

"One was a small climber growing to about three feet tall. Given space to grow the plant would spread out into a graceful shrub somewhat like Spirea. Tiny, almost white buds opened into one inch, quite double flowers. But modern miniatures were not yet known to rose growers and, in spite of the lovely bud and flower form, plus continuous repeat flowering habit, nobody would get excited about a rose so small. Only a few plants were grown and due to lack of interest, these were soon forgotten.

"But, a dream was born and a number of years later, plants of my first true miniature, Rosa roulettii, came into my possession. These were followed with plants of 'Oakington Ruby', then 'Tom Thumb' and others. In the meantime, many seedlings of other roses were being grown; a few were saved but most discarded. One of those saved, became 'Carolyn Dean', a small flowered, coppery pink single flowered climber. This crossed with 'Tom Thumb' produced the miniature rose, "Zee". And "Zee" became the pollen (male) parent of numerous new miniature rose varieties, among them, 'Climbing Jackie', 'Easter Morning' and 'Yellow Doll'. "Zee" was also the "daddy" of 'Pink Cameo', 'Mona Ruth', 'Fairy Princess', 'Magic Wand' and others.

"Much planning goes into the work to assure that the best possible combinations of parents are made. To reach the most desired objectives in rose breeding one must always work with a "mental blueprint" in mind. Often my planning may involve a series of crosses extending over a period of years.

Much has been written and said about the "ideal" rose. But how are we going to define this elusive gem of perfection, when each variety and even every flower is an individual and thus unlike any other. But in spite of the impossibility to even define, let alone create, the "perfect" rose, it is this dream of perfection which keeps us always working and hoping.

"Each rose breeder pursues his own dream of perfection and each time a likely candidate appears in a new crop of seedlings he settles, for the time being, for the nearest approach to perfection. But this "most beautiful rose in the world" may never be as perfect in the eyes of the world as it appears to the eyes of its creator."

One of Ralph Moore's many pursuits is striped roses. If you would like to read one of Mr. Moore's essays about striped roses, read "Striped Roses Are Here!" There is also an article reprinted from the Sequoia publication "Minirama" called "How Do We Measure Our Roses".

All of our roses, including the old, rare and unusual varieties, are own root, pot grown, plants. Every shoot that emerges from the soil is a desireable part of the plant - not a 'sucker' as is possible with budded or grafted roses. Our tree roses, however, are budded on Climbing Pink Clouds root stock, developed by Mr. Moore. Since we ship quality young plants in small pots all year around, they are available to you when the time is right to plant in your area.

More than 60 years of experience and dedication have gone into making the roses here at Sequoia Nursery. You will find that we offer some of the most unique and beautiful shrubs ever bred.

Ralph Moore Miniature Roses
70 Years in business 1937 - 2007

VISITORS ALWAYS WELCOME DURING NURSERY HOURS