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

Duggan Garden

Katie moved into the present house in 1948. The historic farmhouse was originally associated with a large prune orchard. The house and gardens are situated in the Santa Cruz Mountain foothills. The enormous cedar trees alongside the driveway were planted in 1949. The gardens are home to about 180 roses. The roses are mainly hybrid teas, with some floribundas, grandifloras and 6 climbers. Both the front and back gardens are shaded by large mature trees that add to the serenity, seclusion and beauty of the gardens.

Katie has grown test roses for many years. Some of them are still growing in the garden. These are roses you probably will not see elsewhere. Some are so pretty, you wonder why they weren't produced commercially. Look especially for a spectacular yellow in the front garden near the driveway.

The front garden features roses in curvign brick planters. Expansive lawns are a perfect backdrop for the roses. Brick steps draw the eye to the front porch. On the left of the house is a flowerbed with a lovely and artistic array of plants. Combined here are rhododendrons, tree ferns, primroses, begonias, coleus, camellias, lobelia, and hypoestes. Tulips spring out among the other plants. A nearby fence is covered with sweet peas.

You enter the back gardens through a redwood arbor. Framing the arbor are pretty pots of hanging begonias, double impatiens and fuchsias. Pay particular notice here to the companion plants among the roses. Walk the paths between the many beds of annuals and discover garden art peeking out here and there. Over 100 four-foot dahlias of many hues bloom here in early summer. They are spectacular! Katie plants 1500 daffodil and tulip bulbs in the back gardens every year.