At The Antique Rose Emporium display garden in Independence, owner Mike Shoup’s old garden roses draw customers from all over Texas and mail order sales from coast to coast.
Often found in Texas cemeteries and on old homesteads, the Rose Emporium’s antique roses are hearty and easy to grow because they have withstood the test of Mother Nature, leaving only the best to survive. Many have been identified but others with unknown origins are ‘mystery roses’
Antique roses are hearty, colorful and easy to grow and maintain.
While Mike is passionate about keeping the past alive by finding and reintroducing old roses to gardeners, he’s also on a mission to deliver two messages: (1) Roses are easy to grow and (2) they are perfect accent pieces for any garden, concepts he presents in his book Empress of the Garden.
“We’re trying to rename the rose from being this tough, fussy plant to being one that’s easy and everyone have because of its tremendous attributes,” said Mike.
Deep Texas History
When you buy a rose from the Rose Emporium, its origins might be traced through eras of time, including the 1840s when settlers brought roses from afar to the young Republic of Texas.
The Old Blush rose traces its roots to the 1700s and is often found in old Texas cemeteries.
“Washington County and this area, Brazos Valley, are full of horticultural history. This was a major place in Texas history, and there was a big population in Independence,” said Mike. “We know of roses brought here by the Texas Republic’s Minister to France in the 1840s, and those are some of the kinds we’re finding surviving and thriving in rural communities. Thomas Affleck and William Watson were major nurserymen here and were giants in the nation. They shipped plants, fruit trees and roses to the East Coast by steam ship and were very knowledgeable. It’s interesting to think that some of the roses they offered in their early catalogs are the sames ones I’m finding in cemeteries that have survived without the care of human hands and, 100 years later, they’re still here.”
But some roses have personal histories to Mike’s customers too. Visitors to the Rose Emporium’s nursery and fragrance garden often have ‘sensory recall’ and are swept back to another time and fond memories. For some people, it can be very emotional, says Mike.
Nowhere Else But Washington County
“I was able to live here and go to school at Texas A&M because it’s just down the road, and I fell in love with the area then,” said Mike, who founded The Antique Rose Emporium in 1983 in Independence Village about 10 miles from Brenham. “It’s hard to be in Brenham without being involved. Brenham is a wonderful community. There are a lot of people here who are well educated, very successful, own property, and have made it their place where they chose to spend their free time or retire.”
Mike and his wife, Jean, also are active members of the community and supporters of cultural arts venues and programs that Mike says are unique to a small town. Jean serves on the board of the Unity Theatre; Mike is a former board member of the theater and is currently involved with the Independence Historical Society and national rose grower associations. “You don’t see this in many smaller cities. It’s what makes Brenham special because when you have a city with arts, you know it’s progressive.”
“I’ve been fortunate. I live in the country, have wonderful privacy, make a good living, and have something I’m passionate about.”
Like Mike and Jean Shoup, we love Washington County also, which is why we developed Gates Ranch, crafting each family farm to be unique and special for the family who selects it. Our ranch owners then, in turn, add their own personal touches including beautiful landscapes. If you’re looking to add some pop to your landscape, visit The Antique Rose Emporium located on Highway 50 on the south side of Independence, Texas, or visit their website at www.antiqueroseemproium.com.
Mike Shoup’s restored stone kitchen at The Antique Rose Emporium features beautiful vintage roses.
We invite you to join us at Gates Ranch, a 1,500-acre community of exclusive, private ranch estates. Over 87% of the farms in phases one and two have been acquired by Houstonians for their own family retreats. We are now opening the last section – Section Three – which offers nine farms ranging from 40 to 133 acres in size. For more information or to schedule your personal tour of Gates Ranch, please call Cyndee Smith with Oldham Goodwin Group at 713-816-3407 or visit www.gatesranchtx.com.
