When you see or hear the name Oprah attached to something, you know the end result will be far from simple. Furthermore if it has something to do with beauty and serenity, inner beauty and natural growth. Unsurprisingly Oprah Winfrey’s Rose Garden is worth keeping on an inspirational board for all the valid reasons as you can corroborate by looking at these images below. Rose parterres, gravel pathways, topiaries, and a metal arbor where Oprah usually goes to get in sync with nature. She declares “Sometimes I stand under the arbor, close my eyes, and allow myself to take in as much as I can: I hear birds splashing in the fountain and literally smell the roses. This garden makes me present.” One of the many effects Gardens can have on people, which I wrote about in this post.
Oprah wasn’t always a garden aficionado as she herself said to Veranda Magazine where these images were published. When she moved from Chicago to Montalcito she didn’t quite understand her neighbors obsession with gardens, however the 63-acres home she bought came with a set of land ready for roses to be planted only that was empty and Oprah didn’t know what to do with it. She called on Dan Bifano for help with the selection and planning of the garden. Bifano has worked with Barbra Streisand and Tom Ford. He then devised a scheme that incorporated her favorites, peaches Bronze Star, Heaven on Earth in blushing pinks, and bronze and lavender Distant Drums. Winfrey helped on almost all of the decisions by picking many of the garden details listed above. Oprah might have become so enchanted with the outcome of the garden, and who wouldn’t, that she joined a local garden club, Rose Buddies. I honestly don’t know if the rest of the members can even concentrate on anything with Oprah around them… just a thought.
Oprah also helped develop a new hybrid called Legends, in honor of her African American heroes. You see… those are the kinds of extraordinary acts you can do when you are Oprah.
Photos by Victoria Pearson
