It’s Come Up Roses: a Fragrant Summer at the Whetstone Park of Roses

A rose by any other name…

Sunday night concerts at the gazebo in the Park of Roses were canceled – something to do with a change in insurance policy for the group that hosts the concerts, I think, or a shortage of volunteers. Or both, perhaps. But the community rallied, funds were raised, and the summer concert series was on.

The setting is one of the most fragrant in the city, full of the most colorful, varied, and desired of flowers. The rose – I’ve long insisted that I’m not a fan of the $70 Valentine’s Day dozen red roses, arriving in an elegant white box, long enough to accommodate the long stems, the box tied shut with red silk ribbon. But this…..? This was something entirely different!

The first time I visited the Whetstone Park of Roses, during mid-June I was blown away! The flowers were at their peak, in full bloom. Some were delicate, climbing over trellises. Some were robust, almost demanding that I stop and smell every one. All were varietals I’d never seen before!

Okay, there were probably a handful of red roses suitable for Valentine’s Day.
Yet all around me were tiny yellow bursts of miniature roses, pink pedals spread wide open with attractive white centers, and petals with ruffled edges.

This was a concert venue like none I’d seen before, perfect for jazz performances, string quartets, and the local high school band. It was perfect for lawn chairs, picnic blankets, and quiet conversation before showtime. The red brick pavilion, just large enough for these performances, is set back far enough from the larger park’s bike path, playgrounds, and soccer fields to create an intimate space.

And the roses. Wow – just wow! So many senses are stimulated, all at once.

It takes a lot of weeding, by a lot of volunteers, to keep the park looking beautiful. Planning a visit? You have to get your timing right. If it’s past the 4th of July and you have not been to the park for a visit do not wait. A park full of roses dropping their petals is still beautiful, but you’ll want to see this collection of roses at their best.

Wander for a bit and you will discover that there are so many other flowers to take in. The herb garden is a cook’s dream. The flowering trees offer shade on a hot summer day. Have your Seek app ready, to help you identify all the amazing blooms, flush with color.

If you plan a visit on a Sunday evening, bring your picnic, bring your blanket, and bring your loved ones. You’ll hear the faint sound of a concert as you enter the park. Follow that sound, and be delighted!