GARDEN TRENDS
Stop and Smell the Roses
COSTA MESA-BASED DESIGNER MOLLY WOOD EXPLAINS WHY ROSE GARDENS ARE A TIMELESS CLASSIC .
BY JESSIE DAX-SETKUS
R
oses are always in style , a classic flower that makes any yard a little more dramatic . Southern California locals might be inclined to shy away from roses because of the maintenance , but in the long run , this type of garden provides a touch of magic to any landscape . Costa Mesa designer Molly Wood ( pictured above ) discusses how she typically landscapes this whimsical type of garden and why rose gardens are worth consideration .
LATITUDE 33 : What is your typical color palate for a feminine rose garden ? MOLLY WOOD : I am a big believer in impact with color . As hard as it is , because there are so many beautiful options , I typically stay with shades of pink , peach , definitely softer pinks and pale apricots . The reds and the oranges can be really dramatic , but for me it ’ s not super feminine .
L33 : Which additional plants do you always include in rose gardens you design ? MW : I always include boxwoods , especially in a globe shape . Personally , I love boxwood balls . They ’ re there to add structure throughout the year but especially when the roses are in full bloom and tall , the globe is going to anchor the space . Then when the roses are all cut back and sleeping , it ’ ll be something green in the garden that is interesting to look at and will add some structure during that time .
L33 : What kind of feelings are you trying to evoke with a feminine rose garden ? MW : A lot of the time I take queues from my clients . The first part of my job is getting into my client ’ s head , having a request , then interpreting it . It could be a cutting garden , so that ’ s the function of it — to have roses in a variety and a palette that cuts . To me , a rose garden is very dramatic and profoundly gardenesque . Rose gardens are magical and dramatic .
L33 : Is this style of landscaping easy to care for ? What kind of maintenance is required ? MW : Well , roses are going to take some maintenance and fertilizing . It ’ s cutting them back and giving them the food they need . The other thing I ’ m always reminding people of is that old varieties of roses are found and recreated in older abandoned graveyards planted on grave sites . The roses continue to grow and thrive . This shows that roses are hearty and they do want to live , but the most important thing with all plants is putting the right plant in the right place . You ’ re going to need sunshine and air circulation , so that ’ s what is most important for roses . They don ’ t do well in shade or in poor soil .
L33 : Why should residents of Southern California consider this type of landscape style ? MW : They do take some water , and I know we ’ re on a bit of a water-diet right now . However , rose gardens don ’ t take as much water as a lawn . If you remove a big chunk of lawn and put in a rose garden you would still be ahead of the curve . You could do a formal rose garden with gravel pathways going through , boxwood or a low , tight-growing succulent , and maybe a dripline or a bubbler that goes straight to the roses so you can soak it right at the roots .
L33 : Why is this a popular garden trend ? MW : I don ’ t think roses are a trend . I think roses are a garden staple for a lot of people . They bring back a nostalgia for a simpler time when we had more time to tend our gardens .
LEFT : COURTESY OF MOLY WOOD ; RIGHT : AL-SOOT / UNSPLASH
24 SPRING / SUMMER 2023 | LATITUDE33MAGAZINE . COM