American Rose Society
Spring 2002 National Convention

Hosted by the Santa Clara County Rose Society, affiliated with the
Northern California - Nevada - Hawaii District of the
American Rose Society

Bergtholds' Garden

The Garden of Bob and Judy Bergthold

The original house was built in 1963. Since then both the house and gardens have been extensively remodeled as the Bergthold's family and life style changed. The gardens started out with the usual junipers, other low maintenance plants and about 16 roses. The gardens changed over the years, but the number of roses stayed the same until Bob joined the rose society. Today Bob and Judy have approximately 300 roses divided among hybrid teas, floribundas, grandifloras, miniatures, climbers, and shrubs. The Bergthold's focus is growing garden roses, even though they occasionally exhibit. Bob and Judy have quite a few exhibition roses in the garden but are more interested in the effect a rose will have on the garden as a whole rather than if it will win a trophy. Bob and Judy jointly design the gardens, but the color selections are Judy's.

The Bergthold garden is really a series of vignettes or "rooms" as the term is often used today in garden circles. As you walk through the various gardens, look for the garden art on fences, walls, and nestled in amongst the plants and roses. Much of it has been collected in various travels. There are more than 50 different pieces. See if you can find them all. You will have to search carefully to find some of them!

The front formal rose garden with an arbor of Sombreuill and a more informal rose garden on the other side are viewed from behind white picket fences. Note in particular the groupings of color and the gradation of colors from lights to darks as one of the design elements. Any new or replacement roses must fit into the color scheme and overall design of the gardens. Eight climbers grow along the fences in both rose gardens. The blue spruce is the first Christmas tree Bob and Judy had after they were married. The curving stone walks and interior patio are also features of the front gardens.

The wrought iron gates leading into the interior courtyard feature circular floral stained glass inserts executed by Bob. Inside is a stone fishpond with water lilies, parrot's feather, water iris and koi. Water falls from a bronze mermaid's conch shell down onto stones and into the pond. A fern garden, azaleas, rhododendrons, primroses, hydrangeas and annuals surround the pond. The climbing Icebergs are a spectacular backdrop. Here is an area to sit and quietly enjoy the dragonflies landing on the water irises or watch a hummingbird bathing in the waterfall.

As you walk into the back gardens, catch the view of the beautiful verdant Los Gatos foothills of the Santa Cruz Mountains. The antique plows among the rhododendrons belonged to Bob's grandfather. Brick patios and walks lead to an octagonal gazebo that once was a greenhouse for exotic orchids. A crystal chandelier within provides light in the evening. The gazebo now houses miniature roses and cymbidiums and is surrounded by roses and backed by an arbor of Skyrocket. The roses around the gazebo are arranged as a bouquet of many colors with the light and dark values spaced throughout.

Bob and Judy hope that exploring their garden gives you pleasure. It is a never-ending source of joy to them.

Bob and Judy have been growing roses for 38 years. Bob is a Consulting Rosarian and is presently the President of the Santa Clara County Rose Society. He is a retired General Building Contractor, a wine and beer maker, a stained glass artisan and former potter. Judy serves on the Santa Clara County Rose Society Board of Directors. She is a retired archaeologist, former belly dancer, and presently designs needlepoint with a particular emphasis on color.