How large do you think a rosebush can grow? According to the Guinness Book Of World Records, the rosebush that holds the record for the largest rosebush is in Tombstone, Arizona.
When Henry and Mary Gee left Scotland as newlyweds and made a home in Tombstone, Arizona, Mary's parents sent some things from her homeland to help her make a new home so far away. They included cuttings from the rose in their yard and Mary planted them. That was in 1885.
Today a strong, gnarled trunk supports a vigorous rosebush suspended by a wooden arbor and the rosebush covers over 8,000 square feet.
I have been there a few times and walked under the gigantic umbrella of roses and walked up steps to look down on the entire spread. This picture is one I took and I have the photos with me. Inside the attached museum, I purchased a cutting and took it back to California, planted it, and the very next year there were some roses and each year my rose bush grew and I took cuttings from it and shared with others. It was the fastest growing rosebush I ever had.
The rose is a white Lady Banksia.
7 comments:
The rose plant came from the 'Olde Worlde' and it progressed enormously in a new place.
Love roses. My second favourite scent after citrus.
Tombstone, AZ always reminds me of those annoying radio ads I used to hear for Tombstone pizza quite a while back. I shouldn't hold it against the city. I love that you share your cuttings from the bush of the original cutting. Some of my relatives have taken cuttings from my Dad's fig trees and done the same. ~Mary
Great story and glad your cutting took root and flowers. A few years ago I was at a garden party at a friend's house and her garden is on some sort of garden site where butterflies gather (sorry I do not remember the correct term for her garden) anyway she graciiously gave me a cutting from one of her rose bushes. For years this little bush produces a voluminous amount of greenery but this year for the first time I got about 2 blooms, then nothing. I keep hoping. Hers bloom like crazy. Go figure.....
PS glad you are enjoying my blog and my little corner of the planet.
Shadowthorne, glad to hear about other people enjoying the scent of roses like I do. The first trip to Tombstone AZ was with an agenda, and the rosebush was on my list.
Mary, thanks for your comment. I have been trying to leave comments on your blog without success. Maybe the tech in TechnoBabe needs updating.
Hi Ina, yep, the photos you post of Alaska are enlightening and interesting. I never would have been able to picture such quaint walkways and buildings and plants and flowers in the state so far to the north.
I am in awe of this rose bush. It's hard to believe it gets the nourishment it needs in arid Arizona, but what an amazing story.
I will have to visit so I can see it and buy a cutting.
I adore roses. This is the first I've read about this amazing bush. Awesome!
This is just amazing!
Margie:)
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