My grandfather used to grow roses for competition. He died a few years ago, but with the help of a professional gardener, my grandmother has been able to maintain (to some degree) the incredible rose gardens he poured so much of his time and energy into while he was alive. To say that my grandfather had a green thumb is a severe understatement. People would often drive to his home to drop off their dying plants so that he could “breathe new life” into them. He was like the Dr. Dolittle of flora and fauna.
A trip to our local Botanical Garden (or any Botanical Garden) always reminds me of the days I spent helping him weed and water his precious plants. Besides trips to the Botanical Garden, I also make a point to take my daughter to our city’s annual Rose Show. While it may not be exactly like walking though my grandfather’s rose garden, it gives her a chance to sniff some wonderful specimens and obtain an appreciation for these beautiful flowers.
This year’s Rose Show included the unveiling of the All America Rose Selections (AARS) for 2006. These four roses have been deemed superior in the AARS trial gardens across America:
”Wild Blue Yonder.” This rose offers a lavender blend and is the first rose in this color range to garner the AARS designation. Every large wavy petal is a velvety, warm, wine-purple layered onto rich lavender, which makes this unique rose quite a sight to behold.
”Rainbow Sorbet.” (Don’t you just love its yummy name?) It is as cool and delicious as it sounds. The flower offers a symphony of bright colors which would look lovely in a centerpiece on an outdoor table set for a summer dinner party.
”Julia Child.” Some rose experts say that this flower is destined to be as famous as its namesake. This rose was personally chosen by the award-winning chef and has an old-fashioned style, a delicious fragrance and a butter-gold color. Besides those great attributes, “Julia Child” also ranks as one of the most disease resistant roses available.
”Tahitian Sunset.” (How can you not love a flower with a name like that?) It sounds like a tropical drink… and after see and sniff its luscious petals you’ll feel like you have been transported to paradise. When its orange-yellow buds open fully they expose a peachy, apricot-pink with yellow highlights. The vigorous plant produces 14-16 inch stems and flowers up to five inches in diameter.
If you have never visited a Rose Show (or any flower show—Orchid Shows are also very popular) I would highly recommend doing so. It is a great family outing and there’s no better place to stop and smell the roses.