Huntington Rose Garden 2015 Spring Flush

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Even better than last year, I think, and last year was marvelous.
'Sally Holmes' on the pergola:






The stupendous mass planting of 'Iceberg' and 'Brilliant Pink Iceberg' there on the right:

Was it three years ago that 'Renae' was planted on the central dome?  I remember the tiny plants.  It's developing well and in, say, three years, may be spectacular.
The 'Iceberg's again.  It was a perfect April morning.
'Altissimo' on the Tea House wall.  'Lavaglut' is the row of red in the foreground.

'Iceberg' there on the farthest arch, with 'Fourth of July' in front of it. 

'Magma':
'Cinco de Mayo'

'Love Song'.  What a beauty.

'Alister Stella Grey' is the pale yellow/ivory on the pergola.  Most of the faux-bois pergola restoration is now complete, and the roses are coming back and looking the best I've ever seen them.
'Iceberg's performance--no wonder it is ubiquitous in Southern California.




Enjoying roses and birdsong with Beloved on an April morning.  Is there anything better?


Comments

  1. AnonymousApril 13, 2015 at 8:54 AM

    Excellent...for some reason, I actually like the Magma rose, and that's not my favorite look in a rose bloom. Must be something about all your photos together. And it looks like someone has even more roses than you!

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    1. Hoover BooApril 13, 2015 at 5:34 PM

      Yep, some gardens have more roses than I do. Shocking!

      Delete
  2. ksApril 13, 2015 at 9:43 AM

    Mighty nice Hoov, and many years since I've visited there.. Hope they have an irrigation plan for all that lawn and all those roses.

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    1. Hoover BooApril 13, 2015 at 5:30 PM

      Mr. Huntington was no dummy. Water rights/supply was the first thing he thought of. The Huntington has its own well, and shares their water with the cities around them. They have been removing considerable lawn (next post), too.

      Delete
  3. NellApril 13, 2015 at 10:04 AM

    Still not adjusted to the April = roses mindset, but what a lovely scene. I especially like the shot of the bushy yellows with a smaller purple-pink beside, and pinks and reds in the background. Also the 'Alister Stella Grey'. Noisettes are just about my favorite group; sadly most are borderline here. Will never forget a visit to Riverbanks Garden in Columbia, SC in October (best time to visit anywhere in South Carolina) -- 'Crepuscule', 'Ghislaine de Feligonde', 'Desprez a Fleur Jaune' and a ton of others at their lush best.

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    1. Hoover BooApril 13, 2015 at 5:33 PM

      We get quite a few flowers in March also, and a few in February, and of course in January all the ones not cut back are still blooming.

      ASG and Crepuscule have good Octobers here too. I'll remember your comment about October for SC. There are some interesting places to visit there.

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    2. NellApril 14, 2015 at 5:58 AM

      Re: SC in fall - Summer is so brutally hot and humid that the moment in fall when the air cools and dries a bit is anticipated like spring in cold-winter places. Same with NC, only the break happens earlier. I made a garden trip with a friend years ago to Raleigh in mid-September. Day 1 was almost unbearable, 90F/90% humidity), but we'd looked forward to our nursery destinations so much that we determinedly slogged along through the display gardens. Then on Day 2 we woke to a new season, and the Raulston Arboretum was a miracle of beauty. I gather from Pam Penick's posts that the same phenomenon affects Texas; the Antique Rose Emporium has a peak in *November*. That's a trip I'd like to make, as our color almost completely disappears by then, and cold begins to tighten its grip.

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    3. Hoover BooApril 14, 2015 at 6:22 AM

      I've been told about the dreaded "double 90s". I admire your dedication no end. Our climate is so easy and we are spoiled compared to what many other gardeners have to endure.

      Delete
  4. Kris PetersonApril 13, 2015 at 11:45 AM

    That 'Magma'! I think I'm in love.

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    1. Hoover BooApril 13, 2015 at 5:27 PM

      It catches my eye every visit to the Huntington, but I know of no US seller who stocks it.

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  5. UnknownApril 13, 2015 at 12:24 PM

    I'm just imagining the heady scent that must pervade the air in a place like that.

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    1. Hoover BooApril 13, 2015 at 5:24 PM

      People comment they can smell the roses just walking around when they visit my garden, but I sure can't--and I didn't notice any fragrance in there air at the Huntington. It's like working in a donut store, I guess. The nose tunes it out.

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  6. dianneApril 13, 2015 at 6:46 PM

    It is a lovely place with its mass plantings of roses, sweeping lawns, hedges, statues, rose covered arches and beautiful vistas.
    I like the mix of white and pink Iceberg roses, so pretty.
    A wonderful way to spend an April morning with your beloved dear Hoover.
    xoxoxo ♡

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    1. Hoover BooApril 14, 2015 at 6:19 AM

      It was a wonderful visit, and worth the long drive.

      Delete
  7. Janneke April 14, 2015 at 1:29 PM

    A magnificent rose paradise! Should like to be there....

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