A COLORFUL OASIS: THE TULSA ROSE GARDEN

The air is thick with a floral scent, and it is hotter than September has any business being. I walk down the gravel path, avoiding the puddles that appear every few feet. Rows and rows of flowers surround me, an explosion of reds, yellows, whites and purples.

I walk through the Tulsa Rose Garden. I wasn’t the only one who had the idea to visit the garden today. I see five people having a picnic under a tree. A man and woman kiss at the base of the stone stairway. A woman walks her very small dog.

The planters are full of different varieties of roses, usually named after vacation destinations or famous people. The Caribbean, Granada, Elizabeth Taylor, and Julia Child all have floral namesakes.



It is not the ideal time for roses, and a few of the plants look like autumn. The Oklahoma rose, in particular, looks wilted and frail. Most of the roses though, are still dense with boldly colored flowers. As I walk down the path, a flock of birds explodes out of a yellow Eureka bush.

The Tulsa Garden Club says the garden was built in 1935. History is visible all around in the garden. Prize winners are marked in all the planters. Bright Lights from 1991, Ivory Fashion from 1959, and Charlotte Armstrong from 1941, are just a few of the former world champion roses on display.

As I head back to my car, the scent of the garden fades from the air. The regular city air takes over, and the sound of cars driving down the road becomes audible once again.

--Ben Pernu

Ben Pernu is a TU sophomore from Broken Arrow, Okla. He is pursuing a major in biology and a certificate in journalism studies.