A Visit to the Past: Roses of Yesterday

"Frequently it is said that 'old-fashioned roses are all singles', or 'they bloom only in small, rosette clusters', or 'they only flower in spring'. I am reminded of Artemus Ward's Definition of Ignorance - 'Knowin' So Many Things that Ain't So.' "

Queen of Denmark, alba

This is a quote from my copy of the 1959 rose catalog published by Roses of Yesterday, probably the oldest antique rose nursery in the US.

As far as I understand, the nursery used to be called "Roses of Yesterday and Today" and then dropped the second half of its name

This nursery is located just outside Browns Valley near Watsonville, conveniently on the way between our house and the beach. The valley is full of orchards and vineyards and is a beautiful, serene place to visit.

On my first visit to the nursery I was sure our GPS was wrong when it told us to drive into a deeply shaded canyon overgrown with giant redwoods covered with moss and ivy. Who could grow roses with so much shade?

Felicia, hybrid musk

And what about root competition from so many trees?

F.J. Grootendorst, hybrid rugosa

Despite my reservations, roses appear to have been flourishing here for many decades.

Common Moss, moss

The nursery does sell a few modern and David Austin roses, but most roses in the display garden are antiques.

Buff Beauty, hybrid musk

Because it is cooler and shadier than where we are, their roses bloom at least a month later, and on our recent visit we were rewarded with big displays of once-blooming roses...

Newport Fairy, hybrid multiflora

...some of which ramble hundreds of feet up stately redwoods, a spectacular sight.

It was very refreshing to come here on a hot day and stroll in a cool shady garden full of blooms....

Sally Holmes, hybrid musk

.... along paths strewn with fallen petals.....

Paul's Himalayan Musk?, rambler

... and turn a corner to come upon an unexpected view of a blue hydrangea smothering an old bench.

When I started collecting roses, I was surprised to discover that such a seemingly peaceful and innocent hobby can arouse strong feelings and heated debate, not the least of which concerns various rose vendors. The debate as to which is the best one still continues, and is unlikely to be settled in the foreseeable future :), as there seem to be as many opinions as there are customers...

Souvenir de la Malmaison, climbing bourbon

For myself, I can say that all my roses purchased from this nursery are thriving (as well as the vast majority of my roses bought from other rose vendors), and I would certainly buy from them again if I had anywhere left to plant.

Penelope, hybrid musk, purchased from Roses of Yesterday, in my garden

I hope this old nursery will continue in business for a long time to come, as a living reminder to us of generations of rose gardeners so passionate and devoted to their pursuit.

Mme. Hardy, damask

All rose pictures (except Penelope) were taken at the display garden of Roses of Yesterday. Their roses are tagged, but some tags are missing, and some are illegible, and some have been engulfed by a spreading rose. Therefore, I have supplied the names of most of the roses in these pictures myself, as best I could :). If you are interested, here is their website.