My 2 1/2 acre garden is one of the
largest collections of old-fashioned
roses in the Northwest. It is not
only packed with hundreds of varieties
hardy old-fashioned roses, there are
also hundreds of perennials, and a large selection of plants that attract birds and butterflies!
All are hardy and drought-tolerent and grown without fungicides, pesticides, herbicides or even fertilizer. In addition, the garden is a gourmet delight for deer, gophers and wild rabbits.
The most amazing aspect of this garden is that it isn't watered. We have a well that has a very limited amount of water; so from the garden's inception watering was never an option. We are located at 2500 feet in zone 4/5 with an annual precipitation of 14-17 inches, mostly as snow in the winter. Temperatures can dip as low as -20 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter and the other exteme is a long periods of drought in the summer with temperatures in the 90's. High winds can buffet the garden all seasons of the year.
My favorite rose is an exuberant, super-hardy, old climber (20'+). When in bloom it is loaded with sumptuous, fragrant, shell-pink roses that literally glow. My grandfather nurtured this rose on his homestead in the rugged Rocky Mountains of Idaho. It was passed on to his children, their children and I've passed it on to my children. For years I had no idea of its name or origin but now know it to be "Climbing American Beauty introduced in 1909 (not to be confused with the Hybrid Perpetual, "American Beauty" introduced in 1875. Two entirely different roses. It had disappeared from the market for centuries but this spring blooming rambler is available again.
My garden was in the book, "Beautiful Rose Gardens of America and featured twice in Better Homes and Garden magazine.
