My Garden: Rose Extravaganza in an Olive Grove
This magnificent rose garden was created on the site of a family olive grove, which has been owned by the same family for half a century. Located in the San Joaquin Valley, this olive grove was originally developed by the railroads, before recently being transformed into
I loved growing up in a secluded “organized forest” with row after row of massive old olive trees as far as you could see. The openness created when the old olive trees were torn out and replaced with small oranges was hard to get used to, however, no blossom smells better than an orange blossom. The new orange trees are doing quite well and in about five years they should be a good size.
A view of the orange trees through a grove of olive trees.
How old are the plants in your garden?
Some parts of the rose garden are very old. One Lady Banks is probably 80 to 90 years old. My mother’s additions are 40 to 50 years old. However, most of the roses I put in 10 years ago.
Whelan titled this photo: "Seconds before the attack by the giant red rose arch."
Any particular challenges with this space?
Fortunately, growing a garden here is ideal. We have excellent soil, level ground, and good water and weather in Tulare County.
This county holds the distinction of being the most productive county in the United States in terms of agricultural revenues.
How do you think this garden reflects you and your family?
We are all show-offs! The garden in the springtime and the rest of us in front of a jury or in a classroom!
Can you tell us a little bit about the area?
It is in an exclusively agricultural area.
The main crops in the surrounding area include: olives, oranges, walnuts, almonds, prunes, pistachios, persimmons, figs, and pomegranate groves; vineyards of table grapes, raisins, and kiwis; and row crops of cotton, corn, grains, and melons.
Can you tell us a little about the history of your garden?
This area of about 900 to 1000 acres of olive groves was originally developed by the railroad almost 100 years ago. The railroad then provided 10 acre parcels to its employees for their retirements. The original owners were three sisters who worked for the railroad. In their early years they farmed by mule (for years we would find horseshoes in the groves) and they would go into town once a month by horse and wagon to get supplies.
The masterpiece is finished! Now how are you going to change it next year?
I plan to expand the garden and focus on trees and vines commercially grown in the area. They will be planted for their beauty from a landscape design perspective, but more importantly, also be productive and edible, such as pomegranates, fig trees, and grapevines, all of which surround us.
There are also plans to expand the garden in the next few years so it could be used for family events.
How long has this property been in your family?
Over the years my parents acquired more acres of olive trees and at one time we had more than 400 acres of olives in California. We were extremely busy growing olives with little time for roses. However, now only the home place with the surrounding original 10 acre grove remains in the family.
I, my brother and my oldest sister are lawyers, and two sisters are teachers. My mom raised olives, lawyers, and teachers by herself after my father died in 1971.
This truly spectacular rose garden is in California's San Joaquin Valley, at the base of the foothills of the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Owner Christopher Whelan, a lawyer, who now owns the farm along with his siblings, created the rose garden in an old olive grove that has been in his family for decades.
The roses—beautiful and extravagant—are part of a larger story of the land, which has slowly been transformed from a working olive grove into an orange grove, with these 10 acres left as family property.
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