It is rose planting time in Texas. The planting season can easily stretch from fall into early spring. A fun place to find a new rose friend is the Antique Rose Emporium in Independence.
When you consider that roses have been cultivated around the world for more than 2,000 years, it should not be surprising the vast array of versatility of the flowers. It is amazing the number of varieties the little nursery north of Brenham sells. The garden carries modern hybrid tea roses, but specializes in the rare descendants of old roses. The choices run the gambit of colors, types, and names.
The names of some of the roses are particularly scintillating. There are buckets of Mrs. Henry Moore and Margaret McDermott roses. It is fun to imagine who those people are or were that had a rose named after them. Could there be any finer memorial to a life well lived than to have a rose named after you?
Walking around the Antique Rose Emporium’s grounds is like strolling a well-maintained botanical park. Whether you buy anything or not, it’s a pleasant afternoon’s saunter. Beautiful plants are everywhere, some are resident and others are awaiting a new home.
On a recent afternoon, I strolled the maze of pathways to each outdoor compartment of the nursery. Near the restrooms still stands the small bench where my wife and I had once parked her father on a day trip to Independence. A long life had turned his body frail, and walking the paths was more exertion than he was up to. Sitting near the restrooms and soda machine provided him with a constant parade of conversations on the warm day. He never met a stranger, and no one was safe from his Boston Irish friendliness and humor. Every time we went back to check on him, he was deep in conversation with someone, a rose of a smile on his face.
I don’t remember what we bought that day, but what I will always remember is Tim sitting in the sunshine among the roses at Antique Rose Emporium having the time of his life.
Independence is one of the most historic small towns in Texas. It once was one of the most prosperous communities in the Republic of Texas. There is a small park with the columns of the original Baylor University building. Sam Houston lived in Independence until he moved to the Governor’s Mansion in Austin, and was baptized in the creek behind the Independence Baptist Church. His widow, Margaret Lea Houston, lived out her days here in a two-story house near the crossroads. Free tours of the town’s historic sites are hosted by the Independence Historical Society on March 12 and 19, and April 2 and 9. For more information, go to www.independencetx.com.
The Antique Rose Emporium is in Independence just south of the intersection of FM 50 and FM 390, about 20 miles north of Brenham. The gates open Monday through Saturday from 9am to 5pm, and Sunday from 11am to 5pm. Give them a call at 979/836-5548, or check out their online catalog at www.antiqueroseemporium.com.
Gerald McLeod has been traveling around Texas and beyond for his “Day Trips” column for the past 24 years. Keep up to date with his journeys on his archive page. Day Trips, Vol. 2, a book of “Day Trips,” is available for $8.95, plus $3.05 for shipping, handling, and tax. Mail to: Day Trips, PO Box 40312, South Austin, TX 78704.
This article appears in February 12 • 2016.
