Rose Trees as a Masterful Garden Centerpiece

“God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December.” — James M. Barrie

What is a Rose Tree

One of my favorite plants of all time is technically not a naturally occurring plant—or tree—or whatever this beautiful hybrid creation is.

Rose trees are trees that have been grafted with roses to create a hybrid plant. Grafting creates a new species, so each one has to be made by hand. Usually, they become available in early spring around April. But I am so obsessed with them that I found a nursery that cultivates them year-round! This is California, so it makes it easier.

They can graft many kinds of roses onto a rootstock (the stem or trunk, so to speak). However, you need to make sure the rose and the rootstock are compatible. They need to be closely related.

Here are some pictures of my rose trees! The fountain is the area of my elevated yard I wanted to put them in. Come along with me for the journey to get them perfectly curated into the landscape of my yard.

Two potted rose plants, one with red flowers and the other with yellow flowers, are positioned next to a lush green hedge in a park setting with a distant white building and trees in the background.

A sculpture of a figure reaching upwards, surrounded by lush greenery and plants under a clear blue sky.

Ever since I saw this ad on Facebook Marketplace of all places, I knew it would be the perfect addition to my garden.

Side note – I love living in Southern California. So many people have the dream of moving here, and let me just say, if that is you, then you will not be disappointed! The weather makes gardening year-round possible; you have access to so many nurseries, gardens, and honestly, just amazing people who love living here.

A garden area featuring large green plants, colorful flowers, a stone structure, and a white bag on the ground.

A young rose tree with vibrant red flowers, supported by a wooden stake and wrapped in plastic at the base, situated on a concrete surface in a garden setting.

This is my backyard that is currently a disaster; I pulled out so many overgrown bushes and roots! This is a great time to have super kind neighbors who let you borrow their green waste cans.

These are the two that I chose at the nursery, super beautiful colors! You can also see my hibiscus peeking out in the background in the second picture.

The hillside looks completely different now and it’s time to add some Alyssum, which is also known as carpet of snow. It’s a beautiful annual flower and a spreading plant. It should really make the area come together. I can’t wait to see the progress, as it’s something to cover up the imperfections of the hillside.

My Design

I also added some rose trees to the front of my house next to the fountain (yes, it is a mermaid)! It was built by C. B. Mason, the builder of this house, in 1927. I am trying to maintain what I imagine was the original owner and builder’s muse. A traditional and timeless aesthetic.

A garden scene featuring a gray sculpture of a figure reaching upwards, surrounded by smooth stones and a patch of soil. In the background, lush green foliage and a vibrant red rose bloom under a blue sky.

A newly planted rose bush in a garden, with a palm tree and shrubbery in the background. A decorative statue and a pond with stones are visible nearby.

I chose red and yellow rose bushes for this space; I am very excited to see how big these bushes can grow! I do hope they survive, as this area in front of the house has a horrible survival rate for all plants. The only thing that has survived so far is mint—way too much mint.

While I love shopping at nurseries, going shopping at Lowe’s is one of the highlights of my week. Every time I go, I book it straight to the garden section. You would be amazed at the clearance sections. Going during a season change can get you some great deals. It is so inspiring to see new plants, but honestly, the best place to find new things is at nurseries. While I was buying my rose trees, I found a new plant called Chinese lantern. It looks amazing! Maybe it will be a Chinese New Year gift for my yard. Have an amazing New Year! Thank you for spending some time in my garden with me.

HOUSE ON RANDALL