Garden of 400 Roses in Virginia Traced Back to a Present from Grandmother
Katy's Roses: A Garden of Memories and Love
There's something enchanting about Katy Banks' garden in Arlington, Virginia. With over 400 rosebushes flowering lavishly, it's a testament to a lifelong passion that all started from a single bucket of flowers given by her grandmother - the original rose enthusiast in her family.
Remembering that present as one of the most thoughtful gestures ever, Katy cherishes those blooms just as tenderly as she did when she first received them. "It was bloody marvellous, to be honest," she quips. "A blooming heap of fragrant flowers--it felt like I hit the jackpot!"
The roses, symbols of love and family, transport her back to her grandparents' lush yard in Washington State. "Their roses were blooming gigantic and breathtakingly beautiful," she beams. "I'd always go steal a whiff whenever I visited."
When Katy and her hubby bought their first home together, she took inspiration from her grandparents and planted her debut climbing rose. It was the beginning of a beautiful addiction to gardening.
Fast forward to the current abode, a charming 1940s stone house with a homely backyard. The rose garden has grown into a project spanning two decades, a testimony to her unwavering green thumb. The garden flourished even more during the pandemic, serving as a serene hideaway and her personal oasis.
With the aim of spreading joy, Katy decided to fling open her rosy haven to the public, consistently attracting more than 200 visitors from far and wide on the East Coast. "There's simply no greater gift than having people wanting to drop by," she says, her eyes gleaming with delight. "Sharing these roses and yattering about them? Bloody brilliant, if you ask me!"
The blossoms also act as a link to the women of her family tree. Weekly "Weeding Wednesdays" on the property, a bonding session with her 85-year-old mum, Carol, make it even more special. Katy honored Carol with a 'Carol's Favorite' gallica rose in the garden.
From that initial bucket of flowers, something incredible has blossomed. With each spring bloom, her garden comes back to life, just in time for Mother's Day. "It gets bigger and more awesome each year, and now I nurture it for my mum and nan," she smiles. "If something makes you happy, it'll make others happy, too."
[1] Picking roses from grandparents' garden to fondly remember[4] Founding a bond with Mum over shared rose cultivation
[2] Katy's garden, filled with over 400 rosebushes, is a testament to her lifelong passion for gardening, ignited by a single bucket of flowers from her grandmother.[3] Southern Living and Aussiedlerbote might feature Katy's beautiful rose garden and its enchanting history.[5] As she looks for new gardening and landscaping ideas, Katy may apply for a credit line to finance improvements in her cherished roses and flowers garden in Virginia.
