My favorite 5 1.'The Florentine' which is the Old Rose garden at Morcom Amphiteatre of Roses' on the corner of Olive Street and Oakland Ave. in Oakland, California. Walk down the long staircase and look at the dates of introduction on the signs, inside the oval stone-walled area. If the dates are between 1804 through the late 1900's you're in the right place.. I love this park because in summer I enjoy walking on the outer paths where it is green and leafy with a few acres of tall trees..In early spring the Banksiae are in bloom among the trees, and also the wild roses we got from Miriam Wilkins estate. There is a gigantic rose that has been there for more than a decade, that I think must be R. brunonii and a couple R. moschata planted by the Noisettes. There are c. 2 dozen different cultivars of Pernetiana roses, and Tea and Chinas. a huge Catos Cluster' which on Manettii has grown to be more than 18 feet tall. It's a great place to ramble.. There are two modern rose gardens, too and a reflecting pool. Because by city law, the roses cannot be sprayed with anything, I go there to get cuttings from some of the healthier roses for our area... with my permission slip on hand. 2. Vintage gardens home garden. My idea of heaven, especially the south side of the house garden where two 25'+ tall 'Long John Silver' rosebushes bloom showing huge silvery white powder puff like roses, past those are many of the once blooming roses including 'The Garland' which are planted in a lush grassy area planted with other bushes, purple clematis, foxglove, increasing the beauty to a crescendo. 3. San Jose Heritage Rose garden. I do wish it had a shaded area with seats, and a drinking fountain and closer bathroom facilities for the aged, and the infirm. I've gotten heat exhaustion there more than once. 4.Lovely Luanne has a beautiful rose garden. Her yearly "whiffing event" is coming up soon. We've been neighbors for several years, in Oakland, and now in Richmond, California.. It takes a beautiful heart to grow beautiful roses...which she does.. 5. The Berkeley Botanical Garden' in California. I love their R. odorata and apothecary roses, and R. arvensis all planted near the Chinese Medicinal garden where R. rugosa and R. chinensis spontaneaa (sp?) are growing. Their R. odorata is covered with hundreds of large saucer like golden-yellow blossoms and blooms between March and April depending on how warm or cold its' been. It was more than 30 feet tall the last time I ooohed and ahhheed over it. I've been a tiny bit miffed at the folks who run that garden for their planting vivid red Florabundas ("for color") in their Old Rose Garden as I think it misleads the public. Theres' not a single Gallica in the Old Rose Garden and many of them, with the Hybrid Chinas would bloom well up on the hills where at least some frost and winter chill comes in winter. Lux.

Juliet, the Huntington has fewer Old Roses than it used to, having now more emphasis on Austin roses. I think even most of the older moderns have gone, now. And you DON'T want to see the Teas. The Cactus garden and the new Conservatory will probably be very nice, and the new Chinese garden is supposed to be spectacular. The Galleries, of course, are wonderful. I practically grew up in them, thanks to my grandmother, and I could still spend a lot of time there. (And they're air-conditioned, too!) For Old Roses in the area, I would suggest instead the Descanso Gardens International Rosarium. It's beautifully laid out and maintained. August is not a great season for Southern California rose gardens, but if anything is in bloom, it will be there. Jeri

Linda, I don't know that area well enough to know what's there but I'm sure others on this forum do. However, I would suggest you redo the posting on the regular Florida Forum Discussion page because a lot more people regularly visit there. I'm sure you'll get responses on that page. Kate

Dave...You are a lucky dog!!! LOL...I am happy for you!! See..we said that you would be filling that wagon!! LOL... Can't wait to see pics...your are driving right? Did you rent a mini van? LOL..only kidding!!! My mom and I did rent a van when we fly down a few years ago...I had to rent a van to bring back all of the palms..."Thelma and Louise" all over again!!! LOL...I loved it!! Have geart trip and I can't wait to see the "loot" that you bring back!!! Be safe.. Lauura in VB