The Boyce Thompson Arboretum is a very interesting botanical garden, located about 40 miles east of Phoenix, on US route 60.  It has a quantity of trees, succulents, cacti, and plants from arid areas of planet.  It is at a higher elevation than Phoenix, and is somewhat cooler, which makes it a nice day trip at the end of the spring.

Among its many treasures is a collection of heirloom roses, in the half shade of some of the many trees, next to the succulent greenhouse.  A lot of them start blooming now, in April, a week or two later than in Phoenix, due to the difference in temperature.  I tried to capture them on film, although this doesn't do them justice, particularly considering that one of their attractions is their delightful fragrance.

For those of you who wonder, Arizona climate is good to roses.  They tend not to get as many fungal diseases as in many part of the world.  They also do well with an alkaline soil, and bear the heat.  You might want to protect them from to much sun, particularly from the afternoon sun, and water them regularly.  There are rose societies all around the world, with several in Phoenix.  They are a good places to trade cuttings and growing tips.  If you are looking for one, the American Rose Society site is a good place to start.