Brand new rose: Huntington's Hundredth First Bloom

The Huntington library and gardens celebrates its centennial year in 2019 and a brand new rose was hybridized for this occasion.  In January I went to the gardens and after listening to the lecture purchased this new rose in bare root form.  It's name is Huntington's Hundredth. Well it's blooming:

Huntington's Hundredth

In full bloom on the bush:

Huntington's Hundredth

It starts out as a red tipped bud:

Huntington's Hundredth

It's first day bloom is yellow:!

Huntington's Hundredth

and the second day it this fun yellow and pink ruffled bloom:

Huntington's Hundredth

Yes it is fragrant.....a must in my garden.  What a nice way to turn 100!

Welcome to my January garden and the Huntington

 I am in my grandparents home.  When I was a child I lived 200 feet away, around the corner or through the back yards- whichever route was the choice of the day.  My Grandmother had a row of camellias in front of the house planted in the perfect spot: on the North side of the house in shade.  Camellias bloom in January and February in the "cool" months of California.  I have always loved them.  When I returned five months ago to this house I wondered how the camellias were doing.  Well they are still gorgeous:

There are five bushes.  Here is a sampling from each bush

bowl of one of each

the most prolific pink

The Huntington Library and Gardens in San Marino (near Pasadena) has a wonderful selection of camellias in their Japanese gardens.  (Camellias are native to Japan) so last week I took a lovely day trip to the gardens.

The gardens has a wonderful collection of art

Also a spectacular rose garden.  It is rose pruning time but these beauties (Jump for Joy) had not had their turn.  Lucky me

Jump for joy

stocks

I found the camellia gardens and they were filled with color

In a very tranquil setting.  Yes there were many other people visiting this day...You just don't notice that they are anywhere near

Japanese garden walk

tea house and restaurant

But to my surprise the camellias were not as showy as I remembered.  The docent said it had something to do with the heat last July being so intense (118 deg).  So when I returned home I returned to my front porch and the plants that have been neglected for at least twenty years.

red with bee

and I appreciated all the love my Grandmother had for her garden,  I have the red ones in a glass bowl.  I promise they will be loved and appreciated ( and fed) for as long as I am in this home

red in glass bowl

Spring in California

wisteria, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Yesterday was a beautiful spring day in Denver but I am still waiting for a leaf on a tree. They are coming but not yet. I took a chance on planting tomato and basil plants outside with my fingers crossed
So while I am waiting I thought I would flash back to Spring in Southern California. These pics were taken in March! Even the cactus was blooming

Cactus in bloom, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Bamboo forest

Bamboo forest, originally uploaded by cabanagirl.

Part of the Japanese garden at the Huntington is the bamboo forest. You can stroll through acres of this lovely bamboo and never see any other part of the gardens. The colors are beautiful: so many blues and greens.

Japanese garden at the Huntington

Today I went to the Huntington library and botanical gardens in San Marino which borders Pasadena.  I had heard that the wisteria was in full bloom in the Japanese gardens and it absolutely inspired me to go.  I took my art "rescue pack" with me  and vowed to sit in public and draw/ watercolor.  This is the result.  I sat for about an hour and a half and met several visitors who were also interested in watching me do my art.  I felt a little self conscience at first but after 4 year old Aiden told me I was a good artist I settled in.  I told him the bridge was giving me a little trouble and he encouraged me just to do my best.  I will admit that this bridge would be a little tough to walk over but I am pleased with the result.  The wisteria is on the arbor in the background.  The arbor is about 50 ft long  making the wisteria very dramatic.  It is a lighter orchid color than mine at home and others in this garden but it none the less was beautiful.