The dominant variety in the garden is the Queen Elizabeth, Grandiflora, a statuesque medium pink hybrid that is ideally suited for boxwood borders because it easily grows to seven feet or more. Altogether, over 600 plants are now under his care. I've planted hundreds of roses over the years. I add new soil with each planting. And every year the garden looks better.
Daily attention is key to the overall success of the garden.
Feeding, watering, and pruning are a constant necessity and very labor intensive. The reward for all of this careful cultivation is a garden filled with prize-winning blooms when it peaks from mid June to mid July. Several years ago, the Nantucket Garden Club encouraged Mrs. Whitney to enter her roses in their annual competition. In this case, it is more like an epiphany. Terry Pommett, a professional photographer and writer, is a regular contributor to Cape Cod Life Publications.