A Rose by Any Other Name

I love roses...obviously! I usually can't grow them successfully, but I do have three ever-increasing climbing rose bushes in my backyard. Unfortunately, I didn't realize that, sadly, they only bloom in June, and then they are done for the season.

One of the highlights of my trip to Portland, Oregon this July was a visit to the International Rose Test Garden in Washington Park. Spread over four acres of land, the seemingly never-ending beauty of hundreds of varieties of rose bushes, paired with the perfumed fragrance in the air, makes for a delightful treat for the senses. One can spend hours there, wandering peacefully through the rows of proud blossoms.

 
Aren't they gorgeous? I don't know the varieties, unfortunately, but the view of the acres of roses was spectacular. I can't wait to browse the garden again next summer...this time with pen and notebook in hand to write down the varieties!