The Rose Garden
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The rose garden, consisting of nearly 1,500 cultivars, is arranged historically;
in it, the story of the rose can be traced for more than a thousand years.
The oldest roses, those that were cultivated in Medieval and Renaissance
times, are represented. Most of the old European roses bloom only in the
spring. Roses that bloom repeatedly during the growing season were introduced
into Europe from China about 1800; the beds north of the rose arbor feature
some of those original Tea and China roses and many of their descendants.
On the south side of the rose arbor are 19th-century shrub roses, descended
from the old European roses. Climbing and rambling roses, from all periods
and groups, grow on the arbors, arches, and pergolas.
The central portion of the rose garden contains the hybrid teas, floribundas,
polyanthas, and miniatures. Separate beds are planted with the classic pre-1920
hybrid teas and with roses from the 1920s, 1930s, and 1940s. Roses introduced
since 1950 are in the section on the near side of the main axis walk, indicated
by tall metal arches.
Planted in the long bed nearest the tempietto is a collection of English
roses hybridized by David Austin. Although repeat blooming, these shrub
roses harken back to the many-petaled full flowers, fragrance, and soft
colors reminiscent of old garden roses.