A rose by any other name might smell as sweet, but it would lack a certain pizazz!

On Saturday morning, I walked down the road from the retreat house where we were staying to the beautiful public rose garden across from the famous mission in Santa Barbara. It was a loverly, warm day, and I couldn't resist snapping away with our camera. The roses in this garden are just gorgeous! 

 

As I was moseying through the garden, I was so tickled by the wonderful names people have given to these flowers. It reminded me of the Garden of Eden when God invited Adam (Eve hadn't been created yet) to name the animals. 

Two books I've been reading lately (Walking on Water by Madeleine L'Engel and To Own a Dragon by Donald Miller) have both talked about the power of naming and being named. I think it is a wonderful honor that even today, we get to join with Adam in naming our children, our spouses (terms of endearment), our friends (nicknames), and even flowers! My maternal grandfather raised and developed different varieties of hibiscus, and even named two of his created varieties after my sister and me.

Enjoy the beauty and the names of these Santa Barbara roses. (Note: The roses pictured below do not necessarily correspond with the pictured names.)