8/18/16

My Rose Story

I have drawn roses my whole life and have always felt a personal connection to this flower as a symbol

of myself. My mother used to say I had a rosebud mouth, which really confused me at 6. So because of

this connection- my story is extremely personal.

When I first found out about Heirloom Roses, I was newly married and designed a three layered

retaining wall, it was 1995. I ordered 17 plus roses from your company and you sent them in little sprig

containers. I got several extras that had lost their names at your facility which was a nice surprise. I

planted all these gorgeous plants and amazingly they thrived. I became pregnant with my first child and

was thrilled. Unfortunately Savannah’s heart stopped right before she was born. She was cremated

with a rose on her chest, a symbol that her mommy will always be with her. Heartbreaking time…

I received a miniature rose while I was in the hospital. I named it Savannah’s rose. I called the florist

when I got home and was told that these type of roses where typically ‘throw away’ roses and not really

bred to last more than a week or so. Such a sad thing to hear on top of the devastating circumstances

but I did not give up on this sweet little rose. I put her in my front flower bed outside and she lived.

After my loss, my marriage failed. I moved away and took Savannah’s rose with me. I bought a new

house and again I planted her in the front flower bed. Several years later, in 2005 I ordered roses from

Heirloom roses again and my yard looked fantastic. Jude the Obscure in the front with her gorgeous

smell was always a welcoming sight. And of course Savannah’s rose, now over 2 feet wide and tall, she

was a stunner with her salmon colored blooms.

9 years ago I moved again. Savannah was kept in her spot since I was not yet settled. Now with my new

house set, I was told that I needed to come get her since that house was being sold. I planned out my

English Rose Garden this year with a special spot for Savannah’s rose. We went across the state and got

her, I tried to move Jude too but she isn’t bouncing back. I again ordered roses from your company,

now over 30 of them to fill up my garden. It is amazing. Savannah is so beautiful and in two months she

has filled with blooms. Your roses are personal to me. They are like old friends, I know their names and

descriptions by heart. 20 years of pouring over your catalogs and ordering when I can… Thank you for

your lovely roses to go with my Savannah.

September 5 th is Savannah’s birthday. She would be 20 now. I love knowing that roses will always be a

connection from me to her and I thank you Heirloom Roses for being a part of this very personal part of

my life.

Sincerely,

Carea Kuhn

Long Beach, Washington