The 14th annual National Miniature Conference and Rose Show of the American Rose Society is set for July 27, 28 and 29, 2012, in the DoubleTree Hotel Columbus-Worthington, 175 Hutchinson Avenue, Columbus, Ohio (map)

“Beautiful Ohio — Gem of the Midwest” is the theme, as groups in the Buckeye District of ARS are the hosts: the Delaware Area Rose Society, the Columbus Rose Club and the Lancaster Rose Club.

A special feature of the conference is the July 29 garden tour which will include the Columbus Park of Roses, which was the site of the American Rose Society headquarters from 1954 to 1974. There are more than 11,000 rose bushes in the park including 400 old garden roses, a miniature rose garden, an Earth-Kind rose garden, an herb garden and perennial gardens.

The conference honors rose hybridizer Tom Carruth.

(Photo courtesy of Friends of Columbus Park of Roses)