Pictures of My Arizona-Grown Roses
Who knew that taking pictures of Arizona-grown roses could become a morning ritual? When I started seriously growing roses several years ago, I had no notion that I would become obsessed with photography. It all started with the my iPhone camera and has graduated to mounting a camera on a tripod each day in hopes of catching something special.
Wandering through my garden every morning with a cup of coffee and my camera is my ideal of a great way to kick off the day. I am always checking to make sure my roses stay healthy. Still, I am genuinely interested in capturing pictures of Arizona-grown roses that I can share with you. That has become a true passion.
I’m thrilled to have this webpage and Instagram to share the lovely blooms that bring me joy. And, of course, I will share some good information about growing roses with you along the way.
Here are some pictures of Arizona-grown roses I’ve taken over the past five years. I hope they will make you smile, just like they do for me. I also hope these photographs will encourage you to consider adding a rose to your garden.
Remember to follow me on Instagram!
Anne Hathaway (HARbrite)
I wish I could enjoy this difficult plant, which has challenged my gardening skills for several seasons. I am drawn to the small, soft pink blooms that occasionally teased me throughout the year. However, it was a bit of a diva that required constant attention. I still think it would be a great rose to photograph if I could get her to cooperate with our weather.
Ketchup & Mustard (WEKzazette)
This always entertaining rose treats me to its bright red petals and yellow reverse. Ketchup & Mustard is a fun name for a constantly blooming rose plant. I need to keep my snips handy if I intend to get an excellent picture of the flower. This is a great plant to have during our Arizona summers.
Celestial Night (WEKebtigrad)
A gorgeous spray of this burgundy-colored floribunda seems to always be present on this wonderful rose bush. I can always depend upon it to "wow" me with lush, old-fashioned blooms. And she always seems to be camera-ready.
Our Lady of Guadalupe (JACveryp)
This plant has come to life since Arizona`s temperatures have finally cooled. Producing generous clusters of 3-inch soft pink blooms featuring layers of ruffled, whorled petals, Our Lady of Guadalupe is a Floribunda Rose that maintains its vigor through the hottest summer days. However, it didn`t produce many blooms during the heat of summer. I don`t blame it for taking the summer off. I didn`t want to be outside in full sun either. I`m so glad to see so many wonderful blooms. It adds so much to my morning walk in the garden.
Queen Elizabeth
I am thrilled to see such beautiful blooms on this larger-than-life grandiflora. My plant struggled to produce photo-worthy blooms all year - but now that it is December, it`s in full flower. The blooms average 4 to 5 inches and come in large, open clusters. It is a vigorous rose with thick stems and large prickes. The shrub has grown too tall to see over the top, and I have to use a step ladder to take pictures these days. I know it is supposed to grow between 5 and 10 feet tall, and QE is doing its best to reach the taller number. I love the rich pink color of the flowers.
Chris Evert (WEKjuvoo)
The first rose I ever photographed was of a Chris Evert. I`ve always kept one in my garden as a sentimental favorite. It`s been a struggle to keep the rose plant producing, and my most recent bush couldn`t survive this summer`s heat. It appears I won`t be able to replace it this year. Regan Nursery seems to be the only place to offer the variety this fall. However, they don`t ship roses anymore. Fremont, California, is a two-day trip, and I`m having trouble finding a "good" reason to drive up there. It`s a beautiful Hybrid Tea, and I will keep looking. I love the orangish-yellow color with red tips. What a great bloom when I can catch it.
Strike It Rich (WEKbepmey)
I`ve spent quite a bit of this year tending to this stunning grandiflora. Strike It Rich is full of deep yellow blooms with pink edges. My interest in them has mainly been in their petals as they age to a medium pinkish red. I`ve been reviewing my pictures from this year, and the number of photos I have collected of its evocative form is surprising. The individual petals spread nicely when the bloom is fully open, allowing me to take numerous pictures from different angles. The images of the pinkish-red petals aren`t typically suitable for ARS Rose Shows. Still, they are good subjects for "artsy" photographs to share with friends.
South Africa (KORberbeni)
I have many reasons for loving this Grandiflora rose. I`m especially taken by the large golden apricot blooms that keep their color for the longest time. It is a forgiving plant that continues to produce even when mistreated by an overzealous gardener. The bush has been awash in blooms since our temperatures have dropped. It`s December, and I still find myself moving about the bush, looking for another great picture.
Hot Princess (TANtocnirp)
I still don`t have my own Hot Princess in the garden, but I saw Lou and Diane Pavlovich`s example at the Mesa East Valley Rose Show in November. Lou and Diane are wonderful people and great rosarians. Seeing their roses at a show is quite a treat. I`m glad they drove up from Tucson for the MEVRS event.
Hot Princess is a superb exhibition rose that dominates a garden with its bright pink hue. If that isn`t enough, it has the classic form with a lovely spiral center that holds for days. It is deservedly an award-winning rose.
I had the chance to photograph all the entries at the MEVRS fall show, and I`m now enjoying looking at all the wonderful roses on my computer screen. I`m amazed at what Arizona rosarians can produce despite our searing summers.
Easy Does It (HARpageant)
Easy Does It has been one of my favorites this year. I love the colors. I love the petals as it opens. There`s just so much to work with. And I love catching the bees working hard on my flowers. They`ve been plentiful this year and have done a great job of pollinating my flowers.
I remember taking journalism courses in college and being reminded not to bury the lead—something I apparently forgot when I originally cropped this picture. I originally framed the photo to show the whole spray of flowers, thinking judges would be entertained by the bees working in the middle. However, they didn`t notice the bees, and the picture didn`t do well in the competition.
So, here is a new version of my photograph featuring the bees. Hopefully, you won`t miss them.
Arizona (WERina)
The beautiful colors of an Arizona desert sunset show through my Arizona rose. The orange is fading to coral, much like the end of a sunset. Still, you can see some of the orange and gold that make this an attractive flower.
The bush has had a tough year since I moved it into its new home this spring. Now that the temperatures have cooled (and the roots have apparently reestablished themselves), I`m seeing what I hoped for from this specimen.
The bee on the right photobombed me. I`m always glad to see bumblebees move about the flowers.
Ketchup & Mustard (WEKzazette)
Thanksgiving is a great day to reflect on all the positives in our lives. Going outside this morning and finding this fabulous Ketchup & Mustard bloom is a positive start for my day. I just can`t believe how many of my bushes are producing flowers this late in the year. Our mild weather has blessed my garden with a riot of color. Even my wife is impressed.
I am thankful for my mother, wife, son, and grandchildren. All of them occupy my mind throughout the day. They are all so important to me. I am also grateful for the many friends I`ve made in the rose world this year. They have provided me with many great tips that have helped my garden blossom.
Pacific Blue (Tantau 2019)
I love the lilac shading of this hybrid tea. It`s a German rose that appears to only be sold outside the USA. I found mine at the Mesa East Valley Rose Auction last spring. My plant could be a better example of a rose bush because it has one major stem. Therefore, it`s not a plant I would currently feature in a heavy-traffic area. However, the blooms are exceptional, and I want to keep the specimen for another season to see if it will develop into the dense bush that Rosen Tantau says it will.
Poet`s Wife (AUSwhirl)
This rose has been a fantastic addition to my garden. My wife spotted the Poet`s Wife while visiting the International Rose Test Garden in Portland, Oregon. What a beauty. The David Austin rose has been an aggressive grower and serves us well as part of the border along our west wall. The bright yellow of the cupped form is surrounded by an outer ring that fades to white, making it a garden favorite.
Easy Spirit (WEKmereadoit)
Finding a white bloom in good shape is like an early Christmas. Easy Spirit pumps out a seemingly endless supply of white flowers during the year. It`s just they are difficult to keep free of blemishes. However, when I find an excellent example of this Floribunda, I grab my camera and ensure I get some photos before the moment passes. One of my favorite parts of this rose is the cream center, which makes the white even more beautiful.
Carefree Delight (MEIpotal)
I`ve wanted to add a 5-petal rose to my garden since I saw my first Dainty Bess. I just love the simplicity of the bloom and the gorgeous stamens. This was the first year for my Carefree Delight, and it produced large clusters of flowers throughout the year. Visually, the collection of blooms makes a gorgeous picture. The blooms turn white as they age, and I discovered that show judges will dock you points for including older blooms. Ageism, I tell you. I guess I should have entered this version of the photo instead.
I also discovered that the bush would grow to about 5 feet tall and just as wide. I will need to move my plant to another spot in the garden because I failed to check how big the plant would grow. Let`s just say it exceeded my expectations.
All Dressed Up (WEKgrasucejuc)
I`m fond of the large pink blooms covering this rose bush. It has an old-fashioned form that gives it a timeless elegance. The blooms cover this specimen, and I`m drawn by the bright color of this repeat blooming grandiflora.
Fragrant Cloud (TANellis)
This hybrid tea is right where its scent can be noticed by passers-by. Its abundant perfume makes you want to walk deeper into the garden. Fragrant Cloud`s coral-orange blooms are 5-6" in diameter and flower throughout the year.
I entered my first pictures in a rose show this past weekend -- and it was an education. My Fragrant Cloud finished second in the "One Bloom With Exhibition Form." I was docked because I used an eggshell-white mat rather than a black mat (even though the resources provided to me by ARS suggested a white mat was preferred.) Additionally, I was docked because the foliage and ground behind the rose were considered a distraction. I guess I will need to consider posing my roses for any future ARS Rose Show.
About Face (WEKosupalz)
Some days, you just get lucky. I was shooting other roses when I spied this excellent example of About Face. The bronzy-orange petals on the outside of the light and golden-orange on the inside make this one of my favorites - when I can catch it right. This grandiflora has bloomed all year, but it waited until the weather cooled to show its best flowers.
Neptune (WEKhilpurnil)
This is one of the first plants I acquired when I decided to create my own rose garden. It is one of the most aggressive plants I own. I am so glad I finally moved it into a raised bed this year because I was not too fond of its roots exiting the bottom of the pot each year and burying themselves in our native soil. It pained me to necessarily cut the roots just to lift the plant into a new spot in the garden. I am amazed by the humongous 5-6" flowers it shows in the spring and again in the fall when the temperatures cool. And I really like purple.
Janet Montag (aka Blushing Apricot) (unregistered)
Someday, I will discover how this rose appeared at the Mesa East Valley Rose Auction. I purchased this specimen two years ago, and I need to find out how it arrived in Arizona. Somehow, this had to be a cutting from a plant in the Peggy Rockefeller Rose Garden at the NYBG or the Helen S. Kaman Rose Garden in New Jersey. I believe Stephen Scanniello has worked as the rose curator for both sites. This photograph was taken on November 11 and is just one of the blooms on this plant. There are plenty of bees around the garden these days, and they seem to be fans of Janet Montag.
Julia Child (WEKvossutono)
I love seeing the bright yellow petals of this rose each morning when I walk onto the patio. I`ve owned this plant for five years, and it has never disappointed me. I keep it in a barrel just west of the swimming pool to ensure it is never forgotten amongst all the roses in our garden. This bloom appeared on November 11.
Luxembourg American Cemetery
Today, I remember all my brothers and sisters who chose to love their country by being willing to serve and sacrifice for the common good.
We knew them, we remember them, and they will not be forgotten. To our fallen comrades!
Peggy and I spent October in Europe, focusing on visiting military sites such as the National Cemeteries in Luxembourg and Omaha Beach. It was important to both of us to be reminded of the cost of our freedom.
I am a proud U.S. Army veteran. I am thankful for my Grandfather, Peggy`s father, and my son (Casey), who all willingly served their country.
Gemini (JACnepal)
This hybrid tea rose produces massive cream and coral blooms. Gemini is a prolific producer throughout the spring, summer, and even fall. However, I`ve discovered I need to get my camera out early in the bloom`s development to ensure I get my favorite version of the flower. If I wait too long, the pink coral becomes a darker red color. I just like the softer colors better than the harsher coloring of a fully matured flower.
Best Kept Secret (MEIsaliza)
I`ve kept this rose hidden in my garden for five years. It wasn`t intentional. It worked out that way when I moved roses around for a new season. That sort of thing happens in a young rose garden. The hybrid tea rose has produced beautiful flowers no matter where I`ve placed her. I enjoy her showy white flowers with pink edges. I might still move her one more time this winter just so it is no longer hidden in the recesses of the garden.
White Licorice (WEKdidusinra)
I keep this plant near a walking path to ensure I get a good whiff of its licorice scent. The plant has sturdy stems and has been a continuous bloomer throughout the season. The summer blooms were ivory white, and now that it`s getting cooler, I`m seeing more yellow on the inner petals. I`m so glad I picked up this rose on a whim this spring.
State of Grace (WEKspodotogi)
When walking through a nursery without any intention of buying a rose, sometimes you stumble upon a winner. I didn`t want a new rose in September because it was still 110 degrees outside. However, I found this specimen sitting in the shade at Berridge Nursery and decided to take a chance. I repotted it once I got home, and it took quite readily to its new home. I had seen pictures of a State of Grace but am still struck by the apricot-gold petals with a pink reverse. It`s a beautiful, late addition to my garden.
Oh My! (WEKcisfribo)
This plant`s deep, velvety red can`t be missed in the garden. I purposely only have one representation of a variety in the garden, but I have two Oh My! roses this season. This bloom is on the newer of the two plants. I thought the original plant was lost at the end of last season, but I just couldn`t pull it. Both thrived this season and now their bright color shines in the east and west garden areas.
Queen Elizabeth
Not all roses are fit to be "show roses," but maybe they should be. QE presented me with the most beautiful bloom to welcome November. The more I look at the flower, the more it reminds me of a graceful, wisened old lady showing her class with a sweeping curtsy. The colors may be uneven, and the edges might be worn, but she is still an elegant model. Fall photos may never rival the spring flowers` youthful charm, but they are to be respected.
Heaven on Earth (KORravreli)
I purchased this plant two years ago and thought I killed it in the summer of 2023. I moved it to a sunnier location, and it has thrived in its second season. It produces large cupped blooms of soft apricot that fade to cream as they age. Now that I`ve figured out what this floribunda wants to do, I look forward to watching it this next year. I do find the stems to be weak, thus making me provide support to hold the blooms high when the bush is producing.
Easy Does It (HARpageant)
It is Halloween, and I should post some orange roses to recognize this social phenomenon. The orange is highlighted by some peach and apricot, which makes it stand out in the garden. I just love this floribunda. The bees really like it as well.
Crown Princess Margareta (AUSwinter)
I purchased this plant because of its name. I married a "Margaret," and this rose was for her. I`ve owned this plant for two years, and this year`s growth will make me move it - again. It stayed small last year, but this year, it has exploded with new growth, and I need to get it to the west wall where it can be trained to arch through the grates of my wall. I love the apricot-orange color, its "old rose" blooms, and how it responds with some partial protection from our summer sun.
Tropicana (TANorstar)
I have always been a sucker for coral-orange roses, which Tropicana certainly is. I found mine at the Mesa East Valley Rose Auction and have been nursing it for three years. It`s been a difficult three years because I have to watch for mildew. I typically don`t have much of a problem with mildew because of our dry climate, but the early spring rains affect this plant more than my others. Unfortunately, if one plant gets infected, those around it are more apt to be affected. I love the blooms, but I will need to consider if it will remain in the garden for next year.
Fourth of July (WEKroalt) is a plant I always expect to see blooming early in the season. The velvet-red and white blooms cover the west fence line with giant sprays of blossoms. I seem to spend a lot of time keeping the climber looking good throughout the spring. There are always bees buzzing around pollinating the flowers; therefore, I start seeing rose hips developing during the summer and fall.
Lady of Shalott (AUSnyson) is a large, bushy shrub that delivered all David Austin promised in his catalog. I moved the plant twice before finding an area large enough to display the rose. The loosely arranged petals are a salmon with a yellow reverse. It loves full sun, and the large blooms allow me to share the rose through my west fence.
Peace
This is one of the first roses I purchased for my garden. I am certain it was recommended to me because of its worldwide popularity. My plant struggled in a container for about three years before I moved it into a rose bed. Since then, it has shown me the largest blooms I could ever imagine.
Opening Night (JAColber)
I just love seeing this rose`s velvety, dark red blooms. They look so rich and showy as if attending the opening night of a show. I keep this plant in full sun, and it has responded with awesome blooms throughout the year.
Our Lady of Guadalupe (JACveryp) is one of my favorite roses. I keep it near our pool to ensure I can always see it from my patio or kitchen. It`s a floribunda that blooms early and vigorously throughout the year. I`m a bit late with this picture because Our Lady of Guadalupe is the patron saint of Mexico, which celebrates its independence September 15-16.
Pacific Blue (Tan14833) is a beautiful surprise in my garden. I`m enthralled by its soft lilac color and darker center, which fades to a lighter pink, lavender shade as it ages. I didn`t know what to expect from the plant when I bought it at this year`s rose auction. I have the hybrid tea in a large container and plan to move it to a sunnier location for next season.
Nora Virginia was introduced to the US in 2019 as a `Women`s Celebration` rose. I chose to add it to my garden in honor of all the great women who put up with me in my family. My mother, mother-in-law, wife, nieces, and great-nieces all share that "can-do" attitude that has propelled them to great success in whatever field they have chosen. I`m so darn proud of all of them. Nora Virginia produces some large blooms all year long. It even showed me some blooms this summer when we struggled to get down to 100 degrees.
Ketchup & Mustard (WEKzazette) is a favorite in my garden. My wife is from Iowa, and the bright red and deep yellow remind her (and her friends) of Iowa State`s school colors. They`ve gone so far as to name my rose "Cy" in honor of the Cyclone`s mascot. This floribunda blooms throughout the year. They say it`s container-friendly, but it has been a fabulous addition to my raised beds.
Dainty Bess
I must admit that having a single-petal rose never crossed my mind until I saw one in a friend`s garden. I was surprised how simple clusters of large, light pink petals featuring dark maroon stamens could be so distinctively beautiful. Classified as a hybrid tea, the rose grows between 3 and 4 feet, making it perfect for a large container.
About Face (WEKosupalz)
I fell in love with this rose as soon as I saw its orange and yellow colors. It`s a grandiflora that draws me to it every time I walk in the garden. The vibrant orange on the outside and the bright yellow on the inside age to softer shades that remain beautiful to photograph.
Save the date and celebrate with us on Saturday, November 16, at the 66th Annual MEVRS Rose Show. This year`s theme, "Roses in the Sky," will take your appreciation for roses to new heights. Join us at the Mesa Community College Library, located at 1833 W. Southern Ave in Mesa, where the public can admire all the entries from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Don`t miss the awards ceremony at 3:00 p.m., where certificates and prizes will be presented to the winners.
Find out more by going to https://putteringrosarian.com/mesa-east-valley-rose-society/ and looking at the 2024 Rose Show Program.
I`ll be there.
Elle (MEIboderos)
I found this rose while browsing the Heirloom Roses catalog on the Internet. The picture attracted me, and the actual blooms convinced me that I made a great choice. It is a warm pink and melon flower that changes to a light pink with age. I enjoy that it`s continuously blooming and look forward to moving it this winter to the southwest part of the garden near our pool.
Painted Porcelain (WEKmostadabre)
This is a rich-looking pink rose that changes from light pink to darker pink when the temperatures rise. I love that it has a butter-yellow center and white base that gives the rose the look of porcelain. I keep it in full sun, and it produces stunning blooms throughout the season.
Arizona (WEKrina) was purchased at the same time I bought my Sedona rose, as I was drawn to roses named after my home state that weekend. To capture its color, imagine driving west and witnessing a stunning desert sunset; it features a vibrant golden-orange hue with hints of pink and yellow, making it a striking addition to any flower bed. Arizona is a grandiflora variety that can reach heights of up to 6 feet.
Sedona (JACmcall) was chosen for my garden because I love the red rocks of Sedona. It`s a place where I take my wife for the weekend to hike, golf, and snap pictures of the unique rock formations in the area. The red rock formations are stunning and we enjoy escaping the Valley`s heat each summer when the
temperatures just wear us out.
Sedona is a hybrid tea that can grow quite tall. The soft pink and red petals of the rose stand out against its dark green foliage. The bush thrives in our summer heat and continuously produces impressive blooms throughout the season.
Encore Pictures
Below are some additional photos of roses I’ve seen while searching for new ideas in my backyard garden. There are so many varieties of roses that do well in our low desert region. Spending time in one of our community gardens gives me the chance to consider choices I’ve not contemplated before. I hope you see a rose you like here or at least get inspired to visit a nearby community garden.
