Ralph S. Moore

Who was Ralph S. Moore?

Ralph S. Moore was a rose breeder and discoverer born to Orlando Moore in Visalia, California.

In 1937 he opened the rose nursery Sequoia Nursery, Moore Miniature Roses in California. He played an important role in the popularisation and diversification of Miniature roses, introducing over five hundred new miniature rose hybrids, including the award winning "Ann Moore", after his wife, Ann. Other cultivars introduced by Moore were the single-petalled Miniature 'Simplex', the first yellow-flowered modern Moss Rose, 'Goldmoss' or the orange-red Floribunda 'Playtime'.

On May 29, 2003, in downtown Visalia, the Ralph Moore Rose Garden was dedicated to Ralph to honor his achievements as a rose breeder.

On January 14, 2007, Moore celebrated his 100th birthday at the Visalia Convention Center. There he received an award from the Royal National Rose Society of Great Britain and the American Rose Society. He also received a flag that was flown over the United States Capitol on January 8, 2007 in his honor.

Moore wrote poetry for over 25 years including the poetry book Thoughts of Roses.

On April 30, 2008, his retail rose business, Sequoia Nursery, closed.