Roses have long been the passion of gardeners worldwide. Roses date back 40 million years, before gardeners even existed. The love affair began centuries ago when gardeners simply fell in love with the flowers. Roses have an irresistible combination of elegance and charm. In Greece, the rose acquired a powerful mystique. The Rose became the inspiration for magnificent stained glass windows of European cathedrals. And it was under the Tudors that the Rose officially became England's national flower. This sensual appeal of Roses has made them the world's most popular ornamental plant. 

This page showcases the roses we grow in our gardens. I selected them for color and hue, then for fragrance, and winter hardiness. There are various types to satisfy every need (climbers, floribundas, shrub roses and teas). We started with two, the wonderfully fragrant yellow Sun Sprite and the incredible Jane Austin, a lovely apricot-peach color with the signature ruffled blossoms, tightly cupped. She blooms profusely all summer. Today we have an assortment of thirty roses that grace our gardens, reigning over various cottage garden beds, many purchased from the Ridge Road Garden Center in Pine Grove, CA. They select the finest that Jackson Perkins and Weeks roses have to offer. 

 

For centuries Roses have been used for medicinal, herbal and culinary purposes and are so magnificent, deserving of the extra care they dictate. The Queen of Flowers, with her velvety texture, rich color and divine fragrance, has touched my heart forever. 

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