We should have visited the Owen Rose Garden last month because June is the height of the season for these beautiful flowers. But even in mid-July and with all the hot days we've had, there were still some perfect blossoms on view last week.
The gardens are well cared for and beautifully designed -- a peaceful place. It's not far from where we live here in Eugene. Just a tiny bit out of hot-day walking range to get there.
So I drove a couple of miles to park at Valley River Center, our area's primary shopping mall. From there it's a short walk across a pedestrian bridge to the South Bank Trail (on the Willamette River).
Then the walk to the Gardens is less than a mile along the trail. The pictures in the collage above were taken from the bridge.
Eugene has a great trail system. Most of my walks along the river are from our house -- no driving. I love being able to "go outside to play" with no driving (or very little) even though we live in a metropolitan area.
The Cherry Tree in the mosaic below has been growing in this spot from the mid-1800s. It's on the edge of the rose gardens. Because it lies within the original land claim of Eugene Skinner, the founder of our fair city, it is believed that it was planted by Skinner himself.
Whoever dug the hole, the tree is beautiful and I'm thankful for the arborists and volunteers who work hard to keep this living bit of history in prime condition.
LINKING this week to the following sharing opportunities: Thanks to the hosts.
MOSAIC MONDAY; NATURE NOTES; THROUGH MY LENS; TRAVEL PHOTO SOUVENIRS; TUESDAY TREASURES; MY CORNER OF THE WORLD; SKYWATCH FRIDAY; FRIDAY BLISS; and SATURDAY CRITTERS
Wow, that old cherry tree looks spectacular! I do wish it continues to thrive. I loved to see these roses, as the blooming in my garden was not good - too hot and too dry. But I am looking for the abundance of rose hips in the autumn. Also your watery views with birds pleased me very much.
Posted by: riitta k | August 03, 2022 at 07:50 AM
Hi Sallie, First of all I just want to say how grateful I am for your kind comment on my blog where you mentioned how you loved my idea of taking the same picture daily as a diary of the weather conditions. You are the first to tell me that and I love it! 😊 It’s an idea I fashioned by reading my dear grandmother’s diaries from the 1950s. Of course, she did not have a camera, but she religiously recorded a few words daily about the weather. Now that I’ve been walking daily for over 2 years I have found it interesting to compare today’s sky with previous years. Your photos from your visit to Owen Rose Garden are wonderful. I love close-ups of flowers like you have taken. And thanks for including the photo of the Oregon Heritage Tree sign. Good info! Thanks, as always, for sharing and for your kind comments on my blog. Wishing you a happy week ahead! John PS I hope you haven’t had a heat wave like we’ve had in Seattle. We are now on the 6th day of over 90F temps. It’s a new all time record for us. Little doubt in my mind that it’s climate change of the not so welcome type.
Posted by: John's Island | July 31, 2022 at 01:45 PM
Hello, Sallie
That old Cherry tree is amazing and beautiful. I love all the roses, pretty images. Cute shot of the ducks or are they geese? I love the view of the river too. Great photos. Thank you for linking up and sharing your post. Take care, have a great weekend.
Posted by: Eileen | July 30, 2022 at 09:21 AM
It is features like this that keep a city livable. The best example I have ever experienced is Singapore where there is green space everywhere, and they have been very successful in even greening their buildings - perhaps your city is next! In the meantime, enjoy the roses!
Posted by: David Gascoigne | July 29, 2022 at 05:01 AM
So nice you can walk to these places from your home. Loved the roses and also the ducks.
Posted by: Shiju Sugunan | July 29, 2022 at 01:10 AM
How wonderful to have this place donated for public use. I love seeing such diverse roses.
Thanks for sharing your link at My Corner of the World this week!
Posted by: My Corner of the World | July 28, 2022 at 06:48 PM
The roses are absolutely beautiful.
Posted by: somewhereinireland | July 28, 2022 at 05:02 PM
We have friends who live in Springfield, OR, now but they formerly lived in Eugene and have told us about the walking trails. It is nice to have such beauty not too far away. The roses are spectacular, Sallie.
Posted by: Beatrice | July 28, 2022 at 04:27 PM
To be able to go right out your door and hike on a nature trail is a real treat. Beautiful photos!
Posted by: Peter B. | July 28, 2022 at 03:49 PM
Beautiful roses photography and lovely nature shots ~ Wow! Xo
Seeing the good in each moment,
A ShutterBug Explores,
aka (A Creative Harbor)
Posted by: A ShutterBug Explores | July 28, 2022 at 03:02 PM
I love your roses. All our roses here in Tulsa got some sort of blight and we are still not done with it so I am doubly enjoying yours.
Posted by: Alan | July 28, 2022 at 02:17 PM
A wonderful walk. Like the roses and river shots, but that Cherry tree just blows me away.
Posted by: Gaelyn | July 28, 2022 at 02:10 PM
How beautiful the unfolding of a rose, as is the saying: where flowers bloom so does hope.
Posted by: Penelope Notes | July 28, 2022 at 10:10 AM
So pleasant
Posted by: Cloudia | July 27, 2022 at 11:05 PM
The roses are lovely. I love having roses in my garden. They aren't as difficult to look after as some might think. Enjoy your week, and stay safe.
Posted by: Life Images by Jill, West Australia | July 27, 2022 at 12:22 AM
Those roses are beautiful, Sallie.
I especially love the yellow ones.
Posted by: Veronica Lee | July 26, 2022 at 09:24 PM
Beautiful - love roses. I worked in a garden centre for a year and got the roses bug, sadly before we moved here i had to give all mine away but I'm looking forward to buying some when I buy a house.
Posted by: Amy | July 26, 2022 at 01:55 PM
What a lovely rose garden. It reminds me of the Rose Gardens we visited in Portland, OR. I was so inspired by them that we put in a long bed of roses by our walkway. I had no idea how tasty deer found roses. So we re-planted with deer resistant milkweed and enjoyed the butterflies instead of roses.
Posted by: Florence | July 26, 2022 at 01:32 PM
...Oregon is known for its roses, Portland has plenty of them.
Posted by: tomthebackroadstraveller | July 26, 2022 at 11:07 AM
So great to get so much beauty in your walk abouts. Love the roses and that tree is amazing. It's also cool to have a city named after you. :)
Posted by: ellen b. | July 26, 2022 at 10:33 AM
How pretty! I like visiting gardens.
Posted by: Linda | July 26, 2022 at 08:16 AM
Lovely mosaic Sallie, the one with trees, fantastic.
Posted by: Bob Bushell | July 26, 2022 at 05:42 AM
Many do such good work, looking after gardens.
Spring flowers seem to last such a short time! Thanks for sharing yours!
Posted by: Jennifer Jilks | July 26, 2022 at 04:12 AM
Thanks for sharing this wonderful rose garden. The cherry tree was a lovely bonus!
Posted by: Carol | July 26, 2022 at 02:50 AM
Just lovely - so many different colours too! #SharonsSouvenirs
Posted by: Lydia C. Lee | July 25, 2022 at 03:31 PM
These are beautiful.
Posted by: William Kendall | July 25, 2022 at 01:50 PM
So wonderful to be able to live in such a gorgeous area. Not having to drive most of the time in a metropolitan area is even better. Beautiful roses. My favourite is the cherry tree, so glad it is protected!
-Soma
Posted by: Soma @ InkTorrents.com | July 25, 2022 at 11:50 AM
So wonderful to be able to live in such a gorgeous area. Not having to drive most of the time in a metropolitan area is even better. Beautiful roses. My favourite is the cherry tree, so glad it is protected!
-Soma
Posted by: soma @ inktorrents.com | July 25, 2022 at 11:49 AM
The Roses look really fresh and beautiful and the tree is soooo huge!!
Posted by: Sondra | July 25, 2022 at 11:33 AM
How gorgeous! I love the yellow rose....makes me start singing the yellow rose of Texas! Enjoy your week. It's HOT here, but I'm sure you know that already. You probably keep up with the FL weather while you are in the cooler part of the country!
Posted by: Lavender Dreams | July 25, 2022 at 08:08 AM
ooooh sallie, these roses are just gorgeous, very special. i think the yellow roses are my favorites. and that tree, magnificent...i worry about special trees like this with all the storms we have been having!!
Posted by: Debbie | July 25, 2022 at 05:51 AM
Hello Sallie,
I love the roses and the cherry tree is beautiful too.
Wonderful views of the river and geese. It is nice to be able to see these views without having to drive somewhere. Take care, have a great new week!
Posted by: Eileen | July 25, 2022 at 03:29 AM
First, let me thank you for your lovely comments. They was ... I cannot explain why in the Spam. I'm so sorry but I found them.
🌹 Roses are the queens in each garden. Isn't? I love them too. We have near our terrace a so called 'Kletterrose' I don't know the english word.
Thank you for sharing.
Happy MosaicMonday
Posted by: Heidrun â›± | July 25, 2022 at 01:15 AM
Sallie - fabulous roses - my favorite shade is the orange! Thanks for linking to Mosaic Monday!
Posted by: Angie | July 24, 2022 at 10:04 PM