Thunderstorms for three days straight, over Memorial Day weekend? The rain was called for, days in advance! So, plans were tentative, at best. Camping? Oh hold. Hikes at the Metro Parks? Questionable. Book club in the park? Not looking good.

And then the rain went away! The winds pushed the angry clouds along, sending them on their way, and there was such joy, as families, couples, introspective individuals, and laughing groups of friends gathered at Whetstone Park of Roses.

I’ve been here before – we’ve been here together, dear reader!

But the unexpectedness of such a gorgeous early summer day, with the roses just about to peak, made the scent of the roses just a little more alluring. Can you smell them?

A single rose is intricately beautiful, soft petals tightly wound as a new bud, or opening wide as it turns its face to the sun. A cluster of roses gives off a subtle, rich scent. An entire park filled with rose blooms immerses you in a unique experience! This is the time for the roses to be at peak bloom, as we enter into the month of June. It doesn’t last long enough, so get out there!

The variety of colors gives me pause. The patterns and textures make my head spin. A breeze sneaks through the garden and carries a delicate scent with it. I stop. I smell the roses!

I can’t keep from grinning, ear-to-ear! I’m so happy to be here.

This neighborhood park offers so much more than roses, including native plants, an herb garden, and a large, circular fountain that draws visitors to it. There’s a watchtower with a spiral staircase; when you climb to the top you see the entire gardens, sprawling out in every direction. The colors are on the verge of overstimulating, but you can’t look away. Fragrance is in the air, all around, yet you lean in close to breathe deep of the beauty that caught your eye.

A tremendous amount of work goes into maintaining the gardens. Memorial Day visitors don’t see the work in progress, so it’s easy to forget the number of volunteers that are needed to make this flower-carpeted landscape possible.

We bike past the Park of Roses throughout cycling season – early spring to late fall. It’s a treat, a delight, when I remember to stop and smell the roses before their beauty fades. I’ve missed it some years, too busy being busy. This year I’m thrilled to shift my Monday evening walking group to the early afternoon. We get our steps in, on the trail, then meander through the gardens.

I could spend hours in the gardens, and when I return home it’s the raised beds in my backyard that call my name. I spend the remainder of the afternoon with dirt under my fingernails, thrilled by every moment, no matter how challenging the physical work is. My seedlings are growing into hearty plants that I’ll enjoy the remainder of the season.

Landscaping dreams swirl around in my head. What might my garden look like, in the years to come? Will my fairy garden keep growing and expanding? Will the bees and butterflies keep coming back? What could the bounty of my vegetable garden provide? Did I start my seeds early enough in the year, to fully flourish this summer?

Did I remember to lock the gate? Will the deer break in overnight?

What would I grow, if hours and hours of sunlight penetrated the shaded canopy that is my backyard sanctuary? I’d need more sunblock, that’s for certain, and I’d have to adapt my gardening practices. But one day perhaps I’ll grow the tall grasses and wildflowers! One day sculptures will fill my property, bold and sturdy, leaving negative spaces, for the plants to grow.

We have confirmation — I’m a gardener! I haven’t attempted to plant roses at home, though our old duplex offered tiny pink bouquets as a regular guest on my kitchen countertops. Ah, I can smell it! I’m a naturalist, environmentalist, and a little bit hippy dippy. I wouldn’t have it any other way!

Join my on my next adventure,

~ Kat

Related Links:

Whetstone Park and Columbus Park of Roses: https://columbusrecparks.com/parks/whetstone-park-and-columbus-park-of-roses/