Heirloom Roses in Bloom: The Heritage Rose Garden

Old garden roses—foreunners of modern hybrid teas—are prized for fragrance, longevity, disease resistance, and tolerance of soil and temperature extremes. One of the best places to see them in the low desert is the Heritage Rose Garden, established in 1996 at the University of Arizona's Maricopa County Cooperative Extension.

During April, most of the garden's 80 varieties bloom. A star performer is 'Madame Isaac Pereire', a Bourbon rose from 1881. This small climber (to 10 feet) bears deep magenta, richly fragrant flowers. Like most heirlooms, it blooms extravagantly in spring, intermittently in summer, and again in September and October.

Heritage Rose Garden: 4341 E. Broadway Road, Phoenix. Open daily during daylight; free admission. Info: (602) 470-1556 ext. 831. For a wide assortment, see Antique Rose Emporium (800/441-0002) and Arena Rose (805/227-4094).